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On 13 Dec 2001, at 8:10, Joe McGill wrote: > My only aircooled VW experience is with a Type 1 Super Beetle, and the only Type > 3 I've ever driven is a Notch in pretty poor shape. Thus, I know next to > nothing about these cars. There are many of the little aspects that I don't > know about such as how to turn the heat on in a Type 3. In the earlier models I > think the heat is controlled by this one little console that goes up and down. > In later models, I think there's like 4 knobs instead of this console.....How > does this work? Like the beetles, type 3 heater controls are all on the tunnel. Early ones were a knob, while later ones got levers next to the parking brake. These are all exactly like the beetle systems. The levers/knobs on the dash were only for fresh (non-heated) air. > Second, and this is a broader question, what is the general opinion around here > about the Fuel Injection system on the T3? Difficult to maintain? Difficult to > find parts for? The answer depends on who you ask. I love the type 3 FI. On a stock engine it is reliable, economical, and low pollution (for it's day.) It probably won't work for an engine that is modified much from stock, say more than 110% of 1600 cc, but for the vast majority of driving situations it is an excellent system. Parts are readily available new or used. If you learn to deal with your FI problems yourself you will find that repairs are cheap and infrequent. OTOH, you will probably have a very hard time finding a good mechanic who knows how to fix the Bosch D-Jetronic systems. Most people who take their FI problems to repair shops end up with repairs that are both unsuccessful and expensive. Your best resource is this list, a couple of good manuals, some tools, and your own interest and time. The OE carbs that came on type 3s are excellent. For larger engines, carbs or aftermarket FI are your only options. The pitfall here is that too many people just assume that they can solve all their problems by buying a set of carbs and bolting them on. Yes, this is easy, but it is only the start of the learning curve. The carbs you buy off anyone's shelf will not be jetted right for your car, and it is a lot of work to find sources for the jets and other parts you will need to fiddle with. I'm afraid that most owners end up with engines running over rich and polluting terribly. Many of the aftermarket carbs lack chokes and this has been a problem for some owners in colder climates. The point I'm trying to make is that there is a very significant learning curve to carbs, too, so don't look at them as either an easy or a cheap fix. - Jim Adney jadney@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711-3054 USA ------------------------------------------------------------------- Search old messages on the Web! Visit http://www.vwtype3.org/list/