can anyone tell me where the damn fuel filter is on a 69 (1500 i think!) Beetle. I've looked, and looked, but i can't seem to find it. it does have one doesn't it??

Look behind the transaxle on the passanger side

It may not have one. The only fuel filters that Volkswagen fitted is the mesh screen at the bottom of the fuel tank, and the little plastic cone filter in the fuel pump.

A previous owner could have fitted an aftermarket filter anywhere along the fuel line, but I imagine it will be at the rear end! Follow the fuel line. Check the front (unlikely) - but if you get right underneath, you'll see a flexible cloth-covered hose connecting the bottom of the tank with the metal line that runs back through the tunnel.

At the rear, the metal line exits on the left (passenger) side beside the gearbox. A rubber hose will be attached, which passes rearwards through the engine bulkhead near the left bottom of the fan shroud.

You should then see the rubber hose come into the engine bay, pass around the fan shroud and back and up to the fuel pump. A short line then goes from the fuel pump to the carburettor.

There's nothing wrong with fitting an aftermarket fuel filter, but make sure all the ends of the lines are clamped. DON'T just push the lines onto the pump, carb or filter outlets!

if you use a cheap plastic filter make sure you mount it just above the distributor, that way you get to test out the fire extinguisher thet all air cooled veedubs should carry. better still buy a metal filter and mount it underneath near the transaxle.

It's always a good idea to place the filter between the tank and the pump. This filters the fuel before it gets to the pump, helping to prevent blockages.

Well said Col... thats wher eall of mine are... ontop of the gearbox out of the way. I use the $5.00 plastic ones there really good and easy to fit... and cheap enough to chuck away evey 6 or so months or when there dirty.

You can get those cheapo's with a little water trap in them too!

Mount any fuel filter the right way and they all trap water. (in the bottom, out the top)

Not much else I can add to that topic really them is there.

Hmmmm-
I know, the bigger the fuel filter the better it will filter and the longer it will last. 6 months is generally a good measure though. The cost of the filter is (as always) the measure of quality.

Oh - regardless where you mount the filter, the fire extinguisher is a good addition. I nearly had to use mine today but I couldn't get to it because of the sparks and flames coming from the vacume cleaner. :o

"Don't clean sand out of Baja's with wifes vacume cleaner" = Dog house for one week.