Just joined, need some help regarding beetles!

[Dr Jones]

Hi there, i am going to view potentially my first beetle at the weekend!
I'm rather excited but have been informed that it could not be all its cracked up to be,
Where would be the main problem areas of rust to check for?
Bearing in mind im completely new to beetles
I have basic mechanical knowledge, just not of beetles!
(minis were my main obsession!)
Thanks in advance!

[towcestervag]

body parts mainly bolt on and off inc body!
they rot quite badly really but they are old!
rust on rear suspension/shocker area
rust on floors
rust on rear of front wheel arch where it meets body
inner and outer sill areas
check front suspension fixings
check engine for missfiring they can burn out no3 cyl if they have overheated
take a magnet with you to check for filler as there will be filler this will help to see how much

[the surfer]

Hi there, i am going to view potentially my first beetle at the weekend!
I'm rather excited but have been informed that it could not be all its cracked up to be,
Where would be the main problem areas of rust to check for?
Bearing in mind im completely new to beetles
I have basic mechanical knowledge, just not of beetles!
(minis were my main obsession!)
Thanks in advance!

Rust is your biggest enemy, as with any older vehicle.

The air-cooled engines and gearboxes are bullet-proof if maintained properly. All parts are easily attainable too and, generally, very cheap.

Good luck

[Berksplat]

Hi,
If you've bought your Bug yet you'll know what I'm about to list.
As above plus;
1. Rear side tray's (left n right of engine)
2. C pillars at the very rear of the gutter near the engine lid. (look here for filler! Oh, and everywhere else!)
3. Battery tray
4. Top of rear parcel shelf area.
5. Generally try to peel back every bit of carpet you can reasonally get away with.
6. Front valance and inner where the spare wheel goes (early models)
7. Front windscreen lower corners.
8. Heater channels.
9. Area around rear suspension.
10. Spend a long, long, long time looking every where. And when you think you've looked long enough, look some more! Trust me. I speak from (1967 Spa Kafer, one year only model, first time ,had my fingers badly burned,found alot of filler covered rust, experience!!!)

Having said all that, I absolutey Love my Bug and will be replacing all the rot with new metal and then going to all the shows. About 2020 ish at my carrent pace

The flexi fridge magnetic thingy is an absolute must. Take it and use it with no hesitation. Check out Volkszone too. It's great for info and projects.

Hope this helps. Oh, and join a local VW club.

Chris.

[Berksplat]

11. Bottom of doors and door pillars.
Enough already

[caddytrauma]

Hi me and my dad spent 5 years restoring a 67 bug so any questions feel free to ask. We replaced every panel available and even got a new chassis. Check heater channels which run along bottoms of doors. These carry heat from heat exchangers for heaters so moisture causes rust inside. Hope you get ur bug as they are an extremely fun car and a doddle to work on.