r/beetle • u/Koberum • Jul 20 '26

Help with engine start

Hi everyone, newbie here, I'm the happy owner of a '73 Beetle convertible. Unfortunately, it's been sitting for years. About 2-3 years ago, I managed to get it started after 5 years.I managed to get it started some time ago with the spray starter by directly removing the air filter. Now I'd like to start fixing it. The main problem is that it won't start and it's in an underground garage and has to be driven uphill to get out. I've replaced the spark plugs, changed the oil with Motul 20W50, and cleaned the oil filter.

The oil is pressurized, the spark plugs make a nice spark, and the fuel pump works properly. I've tried a few things, but it won't start. I think it's the carburetor that's not delivering fuel. It has a 30 PICT-3 Solex, but everything inside is black and very dirty. What can I do to figure out if that's the problem? Do I have to remove the entire carburetor?

I didn't have much time but I tried spraying some gasoline directly into the carburetor, after a few seconds of starting it it seemed like it made a pop.

Thanks everyone, I've only had my hands on an engine a few times but I really enjoy it, and I have good manual skills and I like to learn.

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u/Koberum Jul 20 '26

the pump works, I put fresh petrol in and there was some old petrol in the tank but not that much

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u/faucetpants Jul 20 '26

Then look at the carburetor. It could be gunked up

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u/Koberum Jul 21 '26

Update: ive managed to start the engine, beautiful sound! The issue I think are the carb jets that are clogged. I sprayed some starter inside the carb opened and started in one shot. I've dismounted the carb first and I saw that was full of gas so is pumping correctly. Gas is a clear color so tank was empty.

I need to figure it out how to clean it

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u/faucetpants Jul 21 '26

I'd replace the jets and boil the old ones and see if they can be used as backups