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Fuel tank woes

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69bug Officially Full-On Dubber

300 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#933369
Hi Guys,
On a recent trip (800km) in my ever reliable bug i started to smell fuel. On this trip the glove box also jammed shut and i no have no way into the front boot.
Today when i got home from work i parked the car in the garage as usual and walked away. I came back about an hour later and there was quite a large pool of petrol under the car.
The leak is obviously from the tank and dripping off the front chassis bulkhead.
The car was filled to the brim 2 days ago and i have never had a leak before. The leak is quite considerable and im not sure about a few things;
1. Is the car safe to drive a couple kilometres down the road to the mechanic
2. How the hell do i get into the glovebox to open the front boot so i can asses where it is coming from
3. What is the best method of repair? and is this a back yard job? or should i have the car towed to my mechainic mick at avpc
Any help greatly appreciate!
Mike
1969 1500

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·

#933392
It sounds like the hose underneath the tank has probably gone. You would need to get the bonnet open, drain the fuel into some kind of container, pull the fuel tank out and replace the hose. I've done it at home, but it really helps to have two people. Ideally you want one person to hold the tank whilst the other connects the hose. The easiest way to drain the tank is take the hose off the fuel pump in the engine bay and stick it into a jerry can.

The safety question is a risk, and it's up to your personal choice. If it was me, I'd drive it a short distance rather than get it towed.

As far as how to get the glovebox open goes, just try pulling and levering on it (and the bonnet) in every possible direction. On my bug, the bonnet opens if you pull up and outwards on the front lip of the bonnet whilst pressing the button down. If your latch fits properly this probably won't work though! Some of them like to be pushed downwards, or side to side.
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Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#933404
You can also mask up the bonnet to protect the paint and then angle grind the handle off

Cut through about 5-10mm away from the bonnet to expose the screw and then drill out

Once the handle drops away the latch inside falls off
Futue te ipsum!!!

69bug Officially Full-On Dubber

300 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#933413
Jesus
So there's no way to get into the glove box
Can I drill through the lock?
1969 1500

Aussie Dubbin Fahrvergnugen

895 posts · joined Jul 2008 ·

#933417
When u get the bonnet open, take the glovebox cover off and unscrew the glovebox latch from the inside.

Did I hear yanking on the cable might release the bonnet??? Reaching somewhere under the car???
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69bug Officially Full-On Dubber

300 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#933456
Was the line between the tank and the metal fuel line
All sorted now thanks for input
1969 1500

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#933459
Hi

You can try getting a bit more pull out of the lever by bending it out a little like in this photo.

Steve

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#933480
The bonnet cable - can be pulled on the end with pliers if the outer end of the cable is still there [on the lever/glovebox]

it needs the outer end of the cable to be there..
and the inner cable is pulled against it..

Some one I know has a knob under the front of the lock on the body with a very short cable to open the bonnet..

Used to be a trick years ago to put a towel thru the handle and pull up and sideways at the same time...

this would have been before the push button though..

So, how did it all work out???

and the hose from the tank to the metal fuel line needs to be replaced every few years..

LEE

[and is much easier with someone to hold the tank up.. lol]
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

69bug Officially Full-On Dubber

300 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#933562
Car was towed,
Yes general maintiance item that had slipped my mind,
Ever friendly mick from Croydon spent 5min replacing it and I was on my way again !
1969 1500