Why Does My 65 Bug Smell of Petrol??

JEG Bug 65 Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 19 Oct 2007, 2:57 pm

#617301

As per the the title,why does my 65 bug smell of petrol? Fuel line, petrol tank, carbs?

Im assuming this is a common issue so was hoping somebody might have an answer. I did use the search function but had no luck.

Cheers

Pat

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 19 Oct 2007, 3:57 pm

#617305

Couple of reasons

First - WHERE does it smell of petrol?? inside / outside / front / back
Is it worse after filling up??

There are several rubber hoses that connect to steel pipes. I would check all these to make sure they are ok.
Rub the hose and smell your fingers.
If you can smell petrol on your fingers it IS coming through the hoses.
Check under the tank where it comes out and goes into the lines that run through the cabin (in the tunnell)
Is the seal on you petrol cap working??
Check at rear where the lines come out of the body and join rubber hoses before the steel pipe that goes into the engine bay.

A common one is the rubber pipe under the tank where the petrol comes out.
Because it is a BITCH to get to - unlikely it has been changed in a while

Good luck

Futue te ipsum!!!

JEG Bug 65 Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 19 Oct 2007, 5:39 pm

#617316

Bizarre wrote:Couple of reasons

First - WHERE does it smell of petrol?? inside / outside / front / back
Is it worse after filling up??

There are several rubber hoses that connect to steel pipes. I would check all these to make sure they are ok.
Rub the hose and smell your fingers.
If you can smell petrol on your fingers it IS coming through the hoses.
Check under the tank where it comes out and goes into the lines that run through the cabin (in the tunnell)
Is the seal on you petrol cap working??
Check at rear where the lines come out of the body and join rubber hoses before the steel pipe that goes into the engine bay.

A common one is the rubber pipe under the tank where the petrol comes out.
Because it is a BITCH to get to - unlikely it has been changed in a while

Good luck

Thanks Bizarre. It smells inside, particularly after a longer journey. In fact, I can smell it off myself as I sit here typing, as I drove it to work and back today.

I'll use your suggestions over the weekend and have a look. No doubt it will be the rubber pipe under the tank.

Cheers

Pat

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 19 Oct 2007, 6:33 pm

#617320

other worse case scenario is the metal line running inside the chassis is rusting
but u would more than likly get fuel dripping out of the chassis if it was that bad

so like barry said check all ur flexible fuel hoses first
they are often neglected specially the one under the tank

-Joel

Sulla Seriously Crusin Dubber

149 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 20 Oct 2007, 2:31 pm

#617448

Checlk also the metal fuel line rubber grommets where the petrol line enters and leaves the body. If any of the rubber has deteriorated the metal fuel line will rub on the metal body and eventually "file" through the fuel line.

1963 6 volt Beetle - Driver
1976 Kombi Camper - Driver
1963 Beetle 6 volt - Project
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I drive VW aircooled to save water AND I always shower with a friend!

aintgotitmusthaveit Officially Full-On Dubber

295 posts · joined Jun 2006 · 24 Oct 2007, 10:48 pm

#618063

Agree with Bizarre.
I was leaking onto my chassis from the base of the tank outlet.
This resulted in no fuel being left on the ground. it was slowly being absorbed in the rubbery crap the coat the chassis rails with- Mines a converatble and it stunk like hell still!

bitemeoz Officially Full-On Dubber

355 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 25 Oct 2007, 8:03 am

#618087

Hey

Mine smelt terrible for ages and couldn't figure it out, replaced alot of hoses, checked everything. Turned out I changed the fuel cap with a new one, with a tighter newer cork seal and it fixed it completely.

JB

ratty 63 Custom Title Time!

1,083 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 26 Oct 2007, 12:55 pm

#618283

what carb and fuel pump combination are you using? I have had a similar problem with my 1200 with a 28PICT and a new Brazilian pump which I can detail here if you are using the combo....

R 🙂

40hp, 6V and ...er... slowly making improvements 😂

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68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Oct 2007, 3:13 pm

#618297

As said above,:-
the hose below the tank...
Easiest way is to remove the tank......

The fuel in a VW tank sloshes around all the time
so, if the fuel cap seal isn't sealing You will get the smell...

and on the LHS of the engine where the metal fuel line comes thru the tinware..
the rubber grommet wears thru and then the pipe wears thru too..

it may look OK...
if they have never been replaced... they will certainly need to be...

I know the smell is terrible...
I used to get a strong fuel smell after I filled the tank...
but I replaced all rubber hoses ...
and haven't smelt it since....

cheers

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Rocket Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 27 Oct 2007, 2:34 pm

#618415

Glad to see you run thecar on petrol Horse Po smells more.