Problem Starting Air Cooled Van when Engine Hot

[Hendrixevo147]

Afternoon All,
My 1982 2Ltr Air Cooled Van is starting first time every time when Cold, which is great, however whenever I stop after driving it for over 20 mins or so, it really seems to struggle to turn over and start if I dont catch it first time, it seems to really labour to turn over. I just wondered if this was a common problem with air cooled vans or is there something a miss with mine.
Cheers
Pete

[Tobyt25]

I had the exact same problem, van would not start when hot. But would start after about twenty minutes of cooling. Needed to change the battery and discovered the one in the van was half the size of the one that should be in there. The new battery fills the entire under seat battery storage. The van now starts instantly as soon as i turn the key including when I've given it a thrashing in the heat. I no longer have any issues with hot starts. Worth every penny. I have a 1980 1.9 petrol air cooled.

[Hendrixevo147]

I had the exact same problem, van would not start when hot. But would start after about twenty minutes of cooling. Needed to change the battery and discovered the one in the van was half the size of the one that should be in there. The new battery fills the entire under seat battery storage. The van now starts instantly as soon as i turn the key including when I've given it a thrashing in the heat. I no longer have any issues with hot starts. Worth every penny. I have a 1980 1.9 petrol air cooled.

Thanks for the quick reply, I will get my battery checked out as soon as possible, I am not sure of the batteries history as I have had the van for 3 years and have not changed it since I have owned it, so it could be donkeys years old.
Once again cheers for the reply
Pete