The Tune Up

Hey everyone! The first video is up on YouTube, featuring the tune up I’m going over today. You can find it here. Each new video will be featured on my home page here so check it out!

First and foremost before we did anything else (and that includes learning to drive her), LuLu needed a tune up. Originally, the plan was going to be we would drive her down from Evergreen, CO to Pueblo, CO and take her to a shop for her tune up before driving her home, but we didn’t make it that far. Luckily, I know a guy.

Parts Needed

I purchased all of the parts for this from your run-of-the-mill parts stores. Our parts list goes as follows:

1/4″ fuel line (2 ft)
fuel filter
6 quarts of 10w-40 oil
oil filter
spark plugs
points
1/2″ vacuum line (2 ft)
carburetor cleaner
high octane gas additive

We originally also were going to buy a carburetor rebuild kit, but we got it running without having to rebuild so that’s great! One less thing to buy. I’m not particularly skilled with mechanics, so I’m thankful for the help. Here is a summary of what we found and what we did.

Fuel Filtration

At some point along LuLu’s journey, someone replaced the fuel filter with what appeared to be a newer style. This newer style meant that the fuel lines needed to be a bigger size. Bigger fuel lines means more gas, so when you were driving you had to give her a lot of gas, especially when shifting. Originally, this was going to be replaced when she broke down, but because the tubing had previously been replaced, the replacement filter didn’t fit. She had her spark plugs replaced on the mountainside and our buddy was able to get the carburetor firing (enough, at least). Once we got LuLu home, we replaced all of this back to its original size.

Oil

Next up, it was time for an oil change. Volkswagens need their oil changed reliably every 3000 miles because of their engine structure (I think that might be part of the air-cooled engine thing) and I don’t know how long it had been, but she was desperate for some new oil! Through my studies, I’ve learned that VW engines run hot (because they are air-cooled) and you can choose what oil you put in them. Did you folks know that you had a choice of oil weight? I had no clue. Maybe its different for new cars, but there is a whole diagram for choosing oil weight for LuLu.

In the VW T2 models, choose your oil based on the coldest starting temperature you will be subjecting your vehicle to. You can also choose a viscosity based on running temperatures you are likely to be subjecting your vehicle to. I honestly don’t know how many quarts of oil she takes, but I was told 6 so I bought 6 quarts of 10w-40. In the winter in Southern Colorado, it gets pretty cold still so I definitely wanted to accommodate that (hence the 10w). I figured 40 just made sense so I’d have the best range for the heat of the engine. Of course, we also changed the oil filter.

Engine Tune Up

The last few items I’m honestly not familiar with. Obviously, carburetor cleaner is to clean your carburetor and I imagine a clean carburetor means it can fire more reliably. (Feel free to tell me if I’m way off there.) “Points” also has me very confused. I know it has something to do with firing of the spark plugs, but I don’t actually know how many there are or what exactly they do. But we replaced them! The vacuum line is something else that stumped me. Not sure what its for but we go new vacuum line, too. Then there is the gas additive. This is supposed to clear out any gunk in the fuel system (I think).

And that’s that! After all is said and done she sounds so much better post-tune up. I can even tell that she’s starting better and driving better (and I haven’t even driven her). If you want to start getting acquainted with LuLu, head on over and watch the video!