Fuel Consumption

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 · 4 Sep 2011, 10:22 am

#860193

Hey all!

I'm currently experiencing a massive difference in the fuel consumption of my L bug since the alternator conversion. I have a feeling it may have something to do with the carburettor.

The gasket, under the carb, was very dodgy and I didn't replace it. Could this be an issue?

There is a fuel smell in the cabin as well, so another thing could be the fuel lines themselves?

I'm just trying to cover all basis', hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can give me some pointers!

😀

The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Sep 2011, 10:45 am

#860195

Guessing you mean you are using more?

That gasket is important. I would be guessing you have an air leak there?
How does the car idle??

Has the fuel smell just started?
Where is it coming from?
Boot in the front?
Tunnel?
Use you nose and sniff around

Futue te ipsum!!!

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 · 4 Sep 2011, 10:58 am

#860197

Oh yeah, a considerable amount more!

The car currently idles weirdly, cutting in and out if the engine isn't warm.
The oil bath cleaner is actually leaking oil onto my coil, so that isn't a good thing either.
Got new air filter and coil coming soon.

I used to havea fuel smell a while back, but when I got the exhaust fixed the fuel smell was gone.
Now, however, she is smelling in the cabin.

I had a sniff around, can't smell any fuel in the tunnel nor in the boot at the front while the car is off.
But, the engine itself, stinks of it. Think it may have something to do with the fuel pump... Or maybe even the carby.

The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Sep 2011, 11:51 am

#860204

SebastienPeek wrote:The car currently idles weirdly, cutting in and out if the engine isn't warm.

Your gasket is shagged and sucking air
Fix this now or you could do damage running way too lean

Futue te ipsum!!!

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 · 4 Sep 2011, 11:54 am

#860205

Looks like I won't be driving until I get a gasket for her.

I would assume I could pick one up anywhere or should I be ordering online somewhere?

The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Sep 2011, 12:02 pm

#860206

any VW shop

Futue te ipsum!!!

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 · 4 Sep 2011, 12:32 pm

#860208

Went and had a look at the carby, seems a bolt has actually fallen off!

Where it joins to the manifold, the rear bolt and nut is missing...
Worst thing is I put it on and remember tightening it because it was such a $%^@ to put back.
It isn't anywhere in the engine bay either, so she is definitely missing.

Looks like I won't be driving her anywhere anytime soon.

The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 4 Sep 2011, 4:33 pm

#860227

The thread in the carby base is most likely stripped and will need a helicoil.This will be why the stud fell out.

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Sep 2011, 4:58 pm

#860233

SebastienPeek wrote:Went and had a look at the carby, seems a bolt has actually fallen off!.

Yep - that will make it run like a pig

Futue te ipsum!!!

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 · 4 Sep 2011, 8:24 pm

#860258

Alrighty, today saw SpLiTmEiStEr and I fix the carby issue.
New gasket put in, got a new thread and nut holding in the back and made sure I got the oil issue sorted out too.

Only tonight will tell whether or not there are anymore oil leaks, we'll see tomorrow.
Hopefully I'll receive the air filter and oil filler air breather too as soon as possible, lets just hope that fixes the oil leaks completely.

I'll take a photo of the current setup and put it up on my main build thread.
Thanks all for your help!

The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl