I have a few questions.

I just bought a 1972 vw beetle, 4 speed standard.
Whenever I shift into first and reverse, WITH THE CLUTCH IN, the gears grind. I have been avoiding this problem temporarily by shifting into those gears with the car off while stopped, or starting from second gear. Any idea whats wrong here? Is there a huge problem?

Also, the previous owner has been using diesel oil for this car, which is supposed to be good for the engine. Yes? no?

Thanks for responding!

-Zeph

 

no biggie there, it's a knuckle buster but you just got to tighten the clutch cable. there is a wing nut on the clutch arm where the cable comes thru. clip a small vicegrip on the cable end in front of the arm but not on the braided part of the cable then turn the wing nut clockwise tward the front of the car. start with two full turns one more if it's still grinding into reverse. you do this from under the caroppisite the starter side ie it on the driver side.

 

T t t

 

Thanks for responding.

Changed the oil and the fuel filter last night. Took it to a mechanic today to check over.

 

hey. i drive a 72 bug as well and i have the exact same problem. 1st and reverse. i know its the transmission slowly going out. ive learned to just shift to 1st when the car's almost stopped. i mean, old car, trany's gonna go out sooner or later. i'll replace it when 2nd starts to go. haha.

 

Hey, TAKE IT IN!!!

I got it repaired and the mechanic told me the problem was there is a little tube that carriest teh clutch cable, gas lines, etc. To the back of the car, and the tube was broken, thus, no tension on the cables, or something like that. He replaced the tube, as well as the clutch and acceleraor cable and now it shifts very smoothly. Do not continue to drive it that way you will really mess up the transmission, or so I was told.

 

It's a common problem for this car.

 

yup, you'll get it fixed
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YourMary