I just picked up a 98 Beetle with 112K miles The previous owner said it would not start so they took off the starter and Alternator to get them tested never put the parts back on and let it sit for about 2 years. They were not very mechanical and each time I talked to them I got a different feeling of what was wrong with car. but hey for 400.00 a clean body is worth something.

So anyway my Son got the starter and alternator bolted back up and a new battery installed. My Son then started the beetle, it cranked right up and ran pretty good for a while (he said about 15 mins just idle, He was able to drive the beetle up and down the drive way a few times. Then he turned it off.

When he went to start it again it would start run for about 3 seconds if that long and then Die. So he figures it was the old Gas , So we drained the Gas and changed the fuel filter and flushed the lines and filled the Beetle up with fresh gas. It Does the same thing, Start runs clean for a second or two then dies.

So far I have done the following:

1. Checked for vacuum leaks - did find a cracked line and replaced that
2. Replaced the fuel regulator with one from another beetle we have

I have to make up a t-adapter to test fuel pressure.

Any Ideas or guidance would be appreciated.

Kelly