Fuel smell in Beetle

75 Beetle Learner Dubber

4 posts · joined Feb 2012 · 5 Feb 2012, 6:23 pm

#885312

I have been chasing a strong fuel smell in my daughter's 1975 L Beetle, it smells strongly in the cabin and not so badly under the bonnet. I have replaced the large filler tube and the smaller breather beside it.
I definately smells of fuel rather than an overcharged battery.
Does the fuel line run throught the floor hump to the engine? Could our problem possibly be where the fuel line connects to the tank? If it is, can the fuel line be accessed from under the car or is it under the dash.
Could it be the seal on the sender?
The plate covering the plenum chamber has been bent and doesn't seal properly. I assumed that is hoe the fumes get into the cabin.
I've mucked around with old Holdens for over forty years so the Beetle is all new to me. Since I've had the Beetle in the family I've realised what I've been missing all these years. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
David

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 5 Feb 2012, 6:54 pm

#885317

there maybe a charcoal canisters under the back guard that has some fuel lines running to it???
that 91e10 unleaded fuel lets off a strong fuel smell, a lot stroger smell than the old 91unleaded.

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Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Feb 2012, 7:15 pm

#885320

also check in the tunnel where the fuel line runs

I had a split in the rubber hose where it joins the tube that come out of the tunnel at the front of the frame horns
It ran back down the outside of the tube and into the tunnel

Take the back seat out and take the gear box couplng plate off and smell.
Get a torch and see if it is wet in there

Hopefully it isnt the line itself that is split in the tunnel.
This unfortunately has been known to happen and is a bitch to fix properly

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beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 5 Feb 2012, 7:54 pm

#885325

Have a look under the car and see if you can see any area wet with fuel.

This may give you a good starting point.

From your ole' mate Jeff

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 5 Feb 2012, 8:44 pm

#885342

Check the rubber fuel hose that goes from the underside of the tank to the front of the tunnel. It's pretty hard to access, so rather than trying to do a proper inspection I prefer to just take the tank out and replace the hose.

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75 Beetle Learner Dubber

4 posts · joined Feb 2012 · 6 Feb 2012, 8:42 pm

#885518

Thanks for the suggestions.
Hopefully I'll get it fixed this weekend.
David

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 7 Feb 2012, 7:43 am

#885566

75 Beetle wrote:Hopefully I'll get it fixed this weekend.

... and hopefully the car won't be getting driven until after that hey.

Sorry to be stating something obvious, but if you have got a puddle of fuel sitting inside the tunnel somewhere and it somehow catches alight... yikes.

Basic fuel setup on a bug is that the fuel line goes into the tunnel (the floor hump) up near the tank, and pops out again underneath the car beside the gearbox on the passenger side. It's a hardline through the tunnel and coming out at each end, with a rubber grommet to seal around it and then a braided rubber flex line attached on. The hardline is secured inside the tunnel, but unfortunately can come lose or be damaged by vibration or people messing around in there changing the clutch cable. And with age they have been known to crack too.

At the back end you access it from under the car, while up front you normally pull the tank out to get to it. All the rubber lines can go brittle and crack - it's a good idea to check them all and from then on replace every 5 years or so.

Yes it could be the seal under the sender - if it is, you'll be able to tell as the smell will be stronger there and possible a bit of discoloration around it also.

Hope that helps some !!!

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75 Beetle Learner Dubber

4 posts · joined Feb 2012 · 23 Feb 2012, 12:26 pm

#888423

Thanks for the replies.
It turned out to be the rubber fuel line under the tank. It was split where it joined the steel line through the tunnel. It cracked rather than bent when I pulled it off so it was well past it's use by date.
The fuel sender is away getting reconditioned so hopefully it will all be back together shortly.
Any tips for getting a clamp on the line at the front of the tunnel. It is about 1" from the brake master cylinder and I have very little space from underneath to work in.
David

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 23 Feb 2012, 3:20 pm

#888456

Here's the way I did mine. First, with the tank out, attach the tunnel end of the hose first and clamp it firmly. Then, attach the hose to the tank. To do this you will need to leave a bit of slack in the hose, and preferably get someone to hold the tank close to the hole while you do up the hose clamp. Then, making sure to route the hose away from the steering column, drop the tank in and bolt it up.

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Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 23 Feb 2012, 7:07 pm

#888527

For any others that may have issues in their tunnel, here are some pictures from a 63 beetls that may help you.

Yogie

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Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 23 Feb 2012, 7:07 pm

#888528

and some more

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