VW New Beetle conversion?
July 12, 2004 - 8:57am
Newby question - I appreciate your help. I've reviewed the forums, but haven't seen many topics about WVO systems in New Beetles (although there is one pictured in the Profiles). I am seriously considering going WVO, and have an option to buy a 2002 Beetle TDI. Are there any issues converting New Beetles. Is there enough room in the engine compartment for the necessary kit bits? Thanks in advance.
July 24, 2004 - 2:08pm
#2
I am getting my 2001 Beetle converted this week. I'll let you know how it works out and send you some photos of the installation.
July 24, 2004 - 3:03pm
#3
Thanks! I ended up getting a 2001 Beetle and the Greasecar kit is on the way - I will be very interested to see how your conversion goes and would love to see any pictures you get. Cheers.
July 24, 2004 - 3:10pm
#4
Can you also send me any info or pics you might have on your install.
Thanks
-------------------------
I'm looking into purchasing a Jetta and converting it over.
Any info would be great.
July 24, 2004 - 6:02pm
#5
Shardlow, where are you located?
Bill
July 24, 2004 - 6:43pm
#6
Charlottesville, VA - you?
July 25, 2004 - 4:23am
#7
Near Allentown, Pa.
Bill
September 27, 2004 - 4:25pm
#8
Can you email me any images of your conversions. I just purchased a 2001 TDI Beetle and am thinking of doing WVO in it.
Thanks
Thomas
January 14, 2012 - 12:12pm
#9
Any chance you would share some information about how the conversion went and how it worked. Thank you, duff
January 17, 2012 - 11:34pm
#10
I converted a New Beetle (2002) in 2005 with a Greasecar system. I purchased the car with 48,000 miles and immediately did the conversion. I put the filter in the engine compartment and I agree that it is tight to do so but very possible. I also put a heater pump into it under the filter that runs on 110 volts and on a timer preheats the motor so it can actually start on wvo although I seldom do because my daily use is not as often as it was . I have 55,000 on the system now and have been very happy with the results. I one time had an air leak that I could not find so I took it to a "progressive" VW shop to see if they could fix it. They not only did not fix it- they disconnected it and told me I would blow the motor up in a few 1,000 miles if I rehooked it up. I of course hooked it back up and double hose clamped all line connections which cured the air leak. I have as I said 50,000 miles since it was supposed to "blow up" and it still runs great. I did replace my turbo once and had a vacumn line to the turbo actuator rub till it leaked and I of course lost turbo power. Other than that the thing I highly recommend is to never use 5th gear. That helps keep the intercooler from plugging up- a common problem with TDI's(especially on grease). I have also made my own biodiesel since 2007 and run it on the diesel side except winter time when I have to add USLD to " temperature mix" based on the weather forecast. So looking back it would have been easier to "kit" a Jetta but not to the point I would discourage the New Beetle conversion. I highly recommend it!
January 18, 2012 - 12:22am
#11
Hello -
I bought a used New Beetle back in 2006 (139K) on it. Took two weekends and installed the kit. Fastforward, I now have ~210K miles and have used it on many different types of trips. First trip was in the spring of 2007 NYC 561 miles and only paid $1.50 for fuel round trip! Burned about 16 gallons. From 2007 to 2008 I used the bug for work trips. In the summer of 2007 (May to August) only had one fill up! In 2009 my son used the bug on a 1600 mile trip and he spent $15 for fuel on the trip! Only because I told him to burn a little diesel.
I say all of this because although the install in the bug was tedious - it has worked flawlessly!
Other items I have added:
vegtherm heater - just before the IP input valve (veggie side) - used with a manual switch - use it when needed.
FPHE (Flat Plate Heat Exchanger) - before the vegtherm
Frost heater for heating up the radiator fluid - use a timer which kicks on at O-Dark-thirty!
I did a bug conversion in 2010. I used short 1/8" steel pieces (tractor supply) with drilled holes to hold all the components (valves, vegtherm). This trick allowed me to assemble everything outside the engine and then I dropped the components down into the engine area and strap them tight against the body of the bug.
As far as the hoses underneath the car - if I had to do it again - I would go over the muffler - it just keeps them tighter against the top of the bottom of the car.
Once you have that completed insulate every hose and fuel line you can.
Fuel tank in the spare tire wheel well (StyroFoam Peanuts to support the tank works) - I built a simple plywood platform - hinged a cut hole where the fuel tank fill area is located. I took out the air valve and replaced with a 90 degree threaded pipe and attached a hose to the pipe. I let the hose drop out the bottom of the back of the bug(you may need to drill a hole to let the hose drip any excess wvo out of the car.(Park on flat places were possible.)
Once done just put everything back on top of it and it works fine!
I would also get the computer controller kit... it works great!
I also converted my Suburban (running great) and our town trolley...
Hope that helps! Happy Greasing!
View your shopping cart.
Greasecar Kits and Products
User login
Skype: greasecarsupport
Greasecar Customer Profiles
Who's online
There are currently 0 users and 102 guests online.
For anyone else interested in a Beetle conversion, I received the following reply from Lee at Greasecar:
"Hello,
Thank you for your e-mail. The space in the bug is limited and thus harder to work with. But if thats the car you have, you can make it work. In the bug it is probably necessary to move the veggie fuel filter to the trunk area. You may want to move your fuel valves back there too. The engine space it self is very small. We've had customers do them and they run great, its just a little tighter to work with."
Thanks to all who contribute to this forum. If anyone who has converted a New Beetle to WVO is willing to share their experience, on forum or off, I would be grateful.