Replacement fuel cap for early beetle...

49 posts · joined Nov 2006 · 18 Feb 2008, 7:03 pm

#633180

My orig (and recon'd) leaking smelly hard to get on and off fuel cap on my 56 oval had an arguement with me in the weekend and I won.

After calling many vw parts stockists I have been told that no company makes repro caps for ovals and that I'd have to try my luck for swapmeet sec hand one, which would put me back at square one.

Anyone out there using an alternative or know of an alternative cap that will fit, new or old?

Failing that, will try to get hold of another early tank, recon it and fit it with a sender and neck and cap off something that seals.

Thanks for reading my rant, any help towards a solution will be much appreciated.

how low can a dub go...

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Feb 2008, 9:08 pm

#633220

What size cap is it??
there are a few different sizes...
some were very large...

I know some were made from aluminium and only had the sides bent in to lock...
so they weren't made to last..
and do wear out...

You will possibly pick one up from a VW swapmeet..
or EBAY....

or some kind soul on Aussie vee Dubbers...

I think the early caps were vented too
there was no breather pipe...??

so a tank with a breather pipe is better - no fumes...

best of luck

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

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

splitbusboy Casual Dubber

49 posts · joined Nov 2006 · 4 Mar 2008, 6:57 pm

#635345

Man, who would think a replacement fuel cap would be so hard to get!
Its one for an 80mm neck tank.
Have literally tried all the advertisers in VWMA and some of the big players said theres no such thing, others are permanently out of stock, one nsw place's website had the exact cap listed in things they sell, complete with part number and all, was very excited and called them and got told the same answer, no!!?
If anyone else out there is after one, found them with cip1 in america, about 20 usd plus 50 usd shipping, hope it fits when it gets here!

how low can a dub go...

Canni. Wolfsburg Wizard

471 posts · joined Sep 2003 · 5 Mar 2008, 9:25 am

#635417

I had the same problem.. my old cap didn't seal at all..

Searched for ages everywhere I looked was out of stock.. finally found an 80mm one on ebay... it seals a lot better and improved a bit when I added a rubber seal instead of the cork one. I'd be interested to know how the cip1 one works for you!

Heidi - 1960 White Beetle
'65 Kiwi Ghia

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Mar 2008, 10:34 am

#635432

never chuck out the old one you will have to find a second hand one for a replacement

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 5 Mar 2008, 12:25 pm

#635452

I cut out a petrol 'resistant' rubber gasket for my early early tank cap and it warps just from the fumes. You'll need to stick to cork I think (if you go down that path, which by the sounds of it, may be your only solution)

...and Robert's ya father's brother...

Canni. Wolfsburg Wizard

471 posts · joined Sep 2003 · 5 Mar 2008, 3:05 pm

#635462

Yeah I definitely kept the old one when I found how hard it was to find a decent replacement! Rubber seal seems to be holding up alright but I'll keep checking it in case it does warp.

Heidi - 1960 White Beetle
'65 Kiwi Ghia

splitbusboy Casual Dubber

49 posts · joined Nov 2006 · 5 Mar 2008, 6:07 pm

#635498

yeah I went down the rubber seal track first which worked for a week or two, but that warped and lost its seal.

Did some more ringing around today, found a place in NSW with brand new german ones, 185 bucks (ouch) sec hand ones 65 (good) and another place thats out of stock of repros but will have some in 3 weeks for 45 bucks (sweet) and another place with cnc machined billit ones that need the destruction of an orig cap for the locking tabs and spring which look good/custom and being a solid item should do a good job...

how low can a dub go...