Fingers Crossed!

From now on I shall hopefully not have to wriggle under the car in inconvenient places anymore- fingers crossed!

With this problem sorted, in true VW fashion, another oddity has occurred- sigh. The engine now does not idle, however some good guys over on the VolksWorld forum have given me some advice as to what it could be. Hopefully it is just in need of a bit of a tune up- which it is probably due for to be honest!

Anyway, we shall see what this is going to bring in the near future!

Sew nearly there!

So... the patchwork quilt I mentioned a while ago is coming along nicely- it's about the size of a double duvet now. I just need to get some wadding and backing fabric and then quilt away! 
It has taken a little while as I've sewn it all by hand (no hi-tec machines here!) and you can see which bit I did first- it's a little scruffier than the latest sections- but hopefully I shall soon be able to unite the it with Arty.

How to keep your Volkswagen Alive...

I thought I'd just take a moment to share this amazing book with you! My dear old Dad bought this for me when I first got Arty and it has helped me with my understandings of how my little bug works, and to top it off, every diagram is hand drawn! How incredible is that?
It's full of step-by-step procedures for everything that a VW owner (with no mechanics qualifications) can do themselves, and also tips on how to look after your car and treat it right. Whenever the instructions refer you to a diagram, because they are hand drawn, you only see the bit you need to look at which is brilliant for me because I'd just get lost in all the bits around whatever I was trying to do- cue the brain fry!
I've included the full diagram of the air-cooled engine above, because it's absolutely brilliant!
If you're like me, own a VW and can be a bit ditsy with it, then you need to get your paws on a copy of this book, it's so clear and encourages you to take control of what goes on with your car- there are even some little reassurances for the times your VeeDub is being a true b***ard!...

Ooh chilly!

Since my last post (looming deadlines got in the way for a sooner update) we have seen the plague that is snow! It crept in when I was least expecting it and I didn't get a chance to put the over over Arty so he got a little coating :( Typically, the wire brush is to make an appearance soon as the snow decided to turn my exhaust that orangey colour we hate so much!
The problem with the starter motor connection hit a new low on my way to uni on thursday, I stalled on the huge roundabout in Blackwater and (of course) couldn't get started again because it had come off! Fortunately a very lovely young man in the Polo behind me saw a damsel in distress and was willing to help me :) he moved his car and helped me push Arty to a safe(ish) place so I could reconnect it. Luckily all size 8/ 5'3" of me is able to wriggle under the car without having to get the jack out! Then, to enhance the embarrassment, a guy driving one of those ambulance car things (you know, the little ones) stopped behind while I was under the car and was saying to my rescuer that he had to stay there until I was done. I only took 5 minutes so it wasn't too bad, and I didn't get told off so it was ok :)
So Mystery Man, if you ever happen to stumble across this blog then thank you so much!


Anyway, I'm now armed with some new spades and a crimping tool so this issue can be sorted! Then I will hopefully not have to worry about it for a long time...

Mmm...Juicy!

There's not been much to update you on over the last few days, however I thought I'd share the oil changing experience that today brought. This was the first oil change Arty has had over the period he's been running (end of November 2011) and I don't even know when the last time was- fellow Volksies, I hear your gasps! The oil that came out of the sump, very much resembled black paint! (I included a little photo of what it looked like in the top right corner). Anyway, it's all been flushed out and some lovely Morris SAE30 motor oil fed in- and Arty sounded appreciative when I drove him later. 
I also realised today that I haven't yet posted a photo of the engine! It's not the cleanest or tidiest, but I think it's fair to say that it is SIGNIFICANTLY better now! It was taken out, cleaned and painted about a year and a half ago, so I don't think it's looking too shabby. I've got some chips in the fly wheel and the fan, but nothing too major. 


I'll end end this post with a brief rant about other drivers. Please note: Getting closer and closer to the back of my car will NOT make me go any faster! (you know who you are!) Just overtake me when it's safe. 
Sorry, be happy!