John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post general ACVW topics here
Forum rules
If its not ACVW related, post it in Off Topic.
Post Reply
Shella
Oil Leak
Posts: 87
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:05 am
What model do you have?: '74 1600 Beetle
Location: Johannesburg

John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by Shella »

I read the first few chapters and all i can say is "Jeeeeees" :shock:

This book is Awesome, I've seen some recommendationson a few sites, but i was like :roll: yeah right. How can a book THAT comprehensive, simple and helpful, but YIP it is.

If you are more experienced and an old hand the book might be rudimentary; but to an Aircooled virgin like me the book fills all the gaps!
I even learnt all the types!

It basically answers all the question you were too scared to ask :P :lol:
Top
User avatar
fig
Bus Driver
Posts: 12214
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:08 pm
What model do you have?: Type 2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/258896479219/
Location: Where life is cheap and death is free
Has thanked: 287 times
Been thanked: 322 times
Contact:
Contact fig
South Africa

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by fig »

Yes, Muir's "Idiot's Guide" is a great book. An easy an entertaining read, as well as highly informative.

BUT, it does have its quirks, and some of his advice is positively dangerous. As always, apply your own common sense.

As an introduction to the technical side of keeping ACVWs, I would recommend this book to anybody, rookie or expert.
fig
Kaapse Kombi Kult

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Top
User avatar
Dirk
Exhaust Pipe
Posts: 1506
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:27 pm
What model do you have?: Beetle, Fasty
Location: Western Cape
Been thanked: 3 times
Contact:
Contact Dirk

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by Dirk »

I must admit that I haven't seen anything dangerous in my version of the book.

As far as investments go, it is one of the best I've ever made. It payed for itself withing the week it was delivered. :)
http://djb.co.za" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

`68 Beetle
`66 Fastback
'90 Sunpacer
Top
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 15009
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 192 times
Been thanked: 488 times
South Africa

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by Tony Z »

I dont use it as a referance book but it is very goo dreading and full of funnies.
I replaced my photocopied version with the original printed colour book a few months ago

Def a must to have
Top
User avatar
dsan
Twin Port
Posts: 1329
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:53 pm
What model do you have?: '59 bug, '76 SC proj
Location: Durbs

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by dsan »

for those who want to buy it on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Volkswagen-A ... 51&sr=8-12
Daniel
Top
User avatar
eben
Site Admin
Posts: 6449
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:40 pm
What model do you have?: None
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ebenve
Location: Fintice, Slovakia
Has thanked: 91 times
Been thanked: 54 times
Contact:
Contact eben
Slovakia

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by eben »

.... or Kalahari.net :mrgreen:
Image
Top
User avatar
forcecooled
Single Port
Posts: 1169
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:42 pm
What model do you have?: 1970 1600 cc Beetle
Location: Midrand ZA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 5 times
South Africa

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by forcecooled »

I have lots of car manuals that i have gathered over the years, and I have this one as well
It is very funny. The cover is the funniest part of it. The rest is really hosshit as it is highly misleading in a lot of areas and downright dumb in others.

Its educational value is zero.

But we love the looney side of it and it has a place of honour next to all our MAD magazines
Top
User avatar
Ron&Gill
Full-time Bug Nutter
Posts: 4054
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:16 am
What model do you have?: Type 1, 21b, 34, 316
Location: St Lucia KZN/Cameron LA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 21 times
Netherlands

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by Ron&Gill »

Oh, OK. I think it is the one I borrowed from HR, I was going to get one, but I think my buggy's engine is misleading enough... Don't need another thing to lead me up the garden path...
1964 T34 - The Razor: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=10290
1956 T2 1b - Gill's bus: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=10948
1967 T316 - viewtopic.php?f=23&t=10931 & viewtopic.php?f=23&t=15977
2000 beach buggy - viewtopic.php?f=23&t=10915
Top
User avatar
Dirk
Exhaust Pipe
Posts: 1506
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:27 pm
What model do you have?: Beetle, Fasty
Location: Western Cape
Been thanked: 3 times
Contact:
Contact Dirk

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by Dirk »

Hi FC,

Would you mind being a bit more specific.

I must admit that I've used quite a few of the instructions in that book with great success. I even managed to help a friend get his SP Beetle's Carburetor sorted out, with just the use of that book.

Your opinion is highly valued here FC, if you know of issues with this book's instructions, I'd like to know about them.
http://djb.co.za" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

`68 Beetle
`66 Fastback
'90 Sunpacer
Top
User avatar
fig
Bus Driver
Posts: 12214
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:08 pm
What model do you have?: Type 2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/258896479219/
Location: Where life is cheap and death is free
Has thanked: 287 times
Been thanked: 322 times
Contact:
Contact fig
South Africa

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by fig »

I wouldn't judge it as harshly as forcecooled, but you do need to take it with a pinch of salt.

I bought my first ACVW (69 Beetle) in 1984, knowing nothing at all about the mechanical side of cars. I bought an Autobooks manual and started to teach myself. I learned by doing and making (often expensive) mistakes, and abused my poor Bug horribly in the process. I bought my first bus in 1990 and shortly afterwards bought a copy of Muir's Idiot's Guide. I enoyed reading it and read it from cover to cover. I learned a LOT from that book; much more than I learned from the Autobooks manual, which takes a lot for granted.

So I'd say it's a great introduction to the mechanical side of ACVWs for people who are not technically experienced. Once you build up experience and start working with "more technical" manuals, Muir starts to look like a "first reader", but it's far from useless.
fig
Kaapse Kombi Kult

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Top
User avatar
Dutch_Diver
Full-time Bug Nutter
Posts: 4028
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:52 am
What model do you have?: 64 bus & 63 Bug
Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Frank-Van-Hoof/576686903
Location: St Ives, Dorset, UK
Been thanked: 10 times
Contact:
Contact Dutch_Diver

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by Dutch_Diver »

I ordered on from EBAY and in-laws are bringing across from UK to Aus so thanks for the heads up....looking for something fun with ability to teach me something! Impulse purchase....don't you love them?
"MO" - 1965 Splitscreen bus --> http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... =37&t=9305" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"BOBBIE" - 1963 Beetle --> http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=11338" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Top
User avatar
forcecooled
Single Port
Posts: 1169
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:42 pm
What model do you have?: 1970 1600 cc Beetle
Location: Midrand ZA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 5 times
South Africa

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by forcecooled »

Well, maybe I should lighten up here. The book does have some good info in it. Trouble is one has to sort the good info out from other stuff.

I think my first impression was made from the book initially openening
up on page 212

---See what I mean!

lol!
Top
User avatar
hitlers revenge
ACVWSA Junkie
Posts: 6486
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:38 pm
What model do you have?: buggy
Location: back in the 'Fell
Been thanked: 36 times
Great Britain

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by hitlers revenge »

Uncle Bill, which part could'nt you find?




I can't find the 'earth strap'. lol.
Top
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 15009
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 192 times
Been thanked: 488 times
South Africa

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by Tony Z »

which pic is that? The whole car disassembled on the floor?
Top
Shella
Oil Leak
Posts: 87
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:05 am
What model do you have?: '74 1600 Beetle
Location: Johannesburg

Re: John Muir's How to keep a VW alive

Post by Shella »

Pg 212 is lank funny!!! Basically looks like me when i do a service on the bug :P

Forcecooled, besides the odd pics any other misleading info I should be looking out for?

I'm using this book as the bible as far as the beetle is concerned
Top
Post Reply

Return to “General discussion”