xbnomad

I just came back from a ~2500 mile road trip over 4 days in my wife's XB and I noticed, the valve clicking sound which I was accustomed to with my late dad's 1972 VW super-bug. old timey engine. I also noticed, when we set off to go from a rest stop(engine turned off) I was smelling unburnt gasoline for the first few .hundred yards of moving, before it subsided.

Last time I took this car in for periodic service (not at a dealer mind you) around last September, the mechanic refused to perform valve adjustments and just replaced the spark plugs. Since my wife only drives locally and in very short distances, I did not think much of it. But this time, that 2500 miles, kicked the car's butt I think.

Do I need a valve adjustment/tune-up for this car, or due to this VVT-i engine I am reading about, valve adjustments are a thing of the past.? Mind you, I am the most mechanically uninclined person. I may be able to change oil in a pinch but if I can, I'd rather pay someone else do it for me.

I live in Inland Empire region of Greater Los Angeles, CA area. If you can advise a good mechanic to take this car to, it is much appreciated.

DannoXYZ

VVT-I just changes phasing of cam, doesn't do anything with valve-clearances.
Still needs valve-clearance measurements at minimum.
Take it to better mechanic and have them measure clearances.
Then if out of range, yeah, some adjustments may be needed.