Engine fumes through the heater!!

Having a lot of trouble with the heater in my 71 Super Bug. Turn the heater on, and not only does it blow out hot air, but also very strong engine fumes. No point having the heater on and the window down to let out the smell. Has anyone else had the same problem, is there something I can do about it?

I havn't had this problem myself but the best areas to check are;
Check the exhaust system for leaks! (look for black sooty deposits on exhaust).
Check the heat exchangers for leaks, loose fitting (tighten anything loose), rust etc.

- Adam

Oh...if the fumes are petrol smelling, CHECK THE FUEL LINES!!

standard beetle winter setting aint it? remove heater boxes and buy a coat.

A pet hate of mine


there are 2 fixes - one a patch and one a fix

Patch
Take the rear tin plate off and get new heater pipe clamp kit. Get the woven metal one not the fibre ones.
Take the fan belt off.
Fit the kit.
Run the motor and make sure there are no leakes. With the belt off you wont be getting confused with air from the genny fan. Obviously dont run the motor for 3 days like this - just enough to check for leaks.
Also throw the standard bolts away and go and get some hi tensile bolts from the hardware.
To the nut up tight. Then some more - the hi tensile will take it. Put a 2nd nut on as a locking nut
Use some exhaust goop if you want - but make sure everything is super clean first

The PROPPER way to fix this
Put a flange kit on
http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=MEK0001&cartid=

Cost $10 in pieces and a couple bucks for the muffler shop to cut an wels on.
It is like two flanges like #2 & 4 cylinder exhaust port flanges on an exhaust but you weld them on the heater box and exhaust connection for cylinders #1 and 3.

A LOT easier if the motor is out though - and a bit more fidly if you have a stainless steel header.

Why oh why VW never did this in the first place i will never forgive them for.
Such a simple addition for one of the best (especialy if you live in a cold area) improvements you can do

Barry

if its an oily smell rather than an exhaust gas smell - check the pushrod tube seals and around the heater boxes (ie rocket cover gaskets etc) for oil leaks dripping into the heater boxes
(ive seen heater boxes with nearly enough oil to do an oil change with- well not quite but it was probably around 1/2 litre of oil trapped inside)



vw's dont drip oil, they just mark their spot!!

The heat riser tubes on the inlet manifold can leak and the resulting exhaust fumes in the engine bay go through the main fan and into the cabin. That is what our's does.

boppa wrote:if its an oily smell rather than an exhaust gas smell - check the pushrod tube seals and around the heater boxes (ie rocket cover gaskets etc) for oil leaks dripping into the heater boxes
(ive seen heater boxes with nearly enough oil to do an oil change with- well not quite but it was probably around 1/2 litre of oil trapped inside

I'd have to agree with this, oil accumulates with dust & dirt inside heater boxes & once engine heats up oily smell is released into cabin.

Oh yeah & put flanges on.

Cheers
Brendan

😁move too queensland , no heater required !😉

Fix it?? I love the smell!🤪

is it an OIL smell or carbon monoxide and putting you to sleep permanently

If its oil you have to remove teh heater boxes and flush with kero n water to wash out the oil n grease

If its carbon monoxide then you have to replace teh heater boxes with new ones

OH and moving to Queensland wont fix the problem it will still stink up there the same LOL or is it the QLD area as well LOL :puke

Thanks everyone for your input. Some of them were quite helpful. Still mucking around with it though.