Hello,

I had to drive to Berrick a few days ago when the weather was real hot - 39C.

On the M1 freeway, when I had driven about 30km, the Beetle lost power and started to die. Fortunately, I managed to pull over to the side before it went dead. It was also a very good thing that I was going downhill at the time.

I called my mechanic up - its a relatively new 1641cc engine - and he said it was vapor lock. WHat? I never experienced it before.

I tried to start the car - but the engine just wouldn't go. Turn key, engine grrrs but no go.

So I waited 5 then 10 then 40 minutes, managed to get it going and go to my destination without any other trouble.

Several hours later.... and after a rainstorm had started...

On the way home at night, I was a little concerned that the same thing might happen. So I pulled over at a supermarket and did my weekday grocery. Half-an-hour later I got back into my car and drove off.

5 minutes later - the Beetle stalled at the traffic lights. I got out and opened the engine bay.... The two cars behind me got pretty pissed off at me. But wtf - they have to be blind not to see my engine bay open. (They pulled out - the lights turned red and they got involved in a minor car accident - then the drivers started to fight... cops came...)

Anyhow, wtf is wrong with the engine. Is this a classic case of a vapor lock?

BTW, on that morning - I had also filled my tank with Shell ordinary petrol - not premium.

My engine has does not have a fuel filter - my mechanic told me it was not necessary.
It does have a full flow oil (canister) filter though.

The easierst way to fix vapour lock is to undo the fuel tank cap.

the long term fix is to clean out the vent in your fuel tank which usuall only requires being blown out with compressed air.

What year and model is your car

No you dont need a fuel filter, until you do, and then you do - if you see what I mean

Just like you dont need seat belt until you do.

I've got fuel filters on my vdubs and I reckon just about everybody does, its only a couple of $$.

An electric fuel pump can do wonders to reduce if not eliminate vapour lock.

If you still have the origional fuel tank in the 65 then the vent is just below the cap on the filler neck.

theres a 3 mm tube sticking out of the filler neck that should have a rubber tube attached to it. you can pull the tube off and blow compressed air through it and also the steel tube on the filler neck.

If these are clear then the tank is vented.

If the vapour lock is occuring in the engine then your fuel pump is getting too hot.

Quick fix on the road is to apply cool water to the pump.

Lone term fix is to find out why its overheating. Is all the engine tin wear fitted correctly is there enough air getting into the engine bay.

If this does not work then you could fit and electric fuel pump but being a basicly stock engine it shouldnt be needed.

Hello,

my mechanic seemed to have fixed the problem with a Pierburg mechanical fuel pump. Hers what it looks like.

http://snipurl.com/44dm 

Hope it works.

I used to have that problem until a replaced the steel rod that regulates the fuel pump...it had worn, since replacing on both Kombis, not a problem...

And here I thought vapour lock was when you fall asleep on your back, start snoring and your goolies slip down and cover your A-hole.... no vent = vapour lock

To solve the problem, sleep on your side :thumb