Beetle problems :(

[mathew_marples]

we have a 1972 vw beetle 1300 the car had been ok since we got it last yr,until my wife took it out one day and the fan belt went.she didn`t know what was wrong and drove it home like that.by the time she got home smoke was filling the car from the engine compartment.the overheating had stuffed the sparkplugs melted the h.t leads and cracked the coil.i sorted the damage as best i could and though there was an occasional smell of hot rubber it seemed to be running ok.however twice now in the past 2 wks the car has cut out. on both occasions it has done this we were on our way home after doing the weekly shop. it had been fine on the outward trip and most of the way back even going up a very steep hill in 2nd at 30mph full of shopping.it has cut out both times now around the same place on a 60mph road on an uphill incline at about 50mph. it loses power ,slows then stops.after a few minutes the engine eventually re-starts and we come the last half mile or so home.the bug is our only car and this problem has never occured on this particular road or indeed any other road however long the trip when there was no shopping in the back .
if anyone has any ideas as to what may be causing this please let me know.

[BoatCop]

First thing is to explain to the missus that if any of the red lights come on, PULL OVER AND STOP!

Your engine has been severely overheated. As you probably know, the fan belt does more than just turn the generator. It turns the fan, providing the only cooling for the engine.

More than likely, the heads and/or cylinders are warped, valves burnt, intake manifold boots melted, and any number of other major problems.

The VW air cooled engine is pretty forgiving, and can take a good bit of abuse. However with the overheating yours suffered, it's only a matter of time before it self destructs. And when it does, it's very possible that a fire will result, taking the whole car with it.

If I were you I'd start looking for a replacement engine. Either a turn-key or a good used engine. With the heat damage yours received, I wouldn't recommend a long-block, wince the manifolds and other parts are questionable.

If you absolutely need to, and continue driving it, carry a good fire extinguisher.

[vwracer14]

^^^^^i 100% agree

it is most likely the motor but check what gear you are in when going up hill especialy with the motor like it is