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Leaking petrol?
mickmick - May 7th, 2009 at 12:07 PM

I've noticed a petrol smell around and in the beetle lately and after filling it up yesterday noticed that it was leaking under the tank where the fuel line runs. There is a bolt there which i tried to tighten but that wasn't it. From what i could see it looked like it was coming out from that area. Its dripping about every 7 seconds so i guess that's why my fuel comsumption isn't too flash. Any ideas on what to do. I've got it booked in at vw classic on Monday but if i could fix it before then it would be good. :mad:


super72beetle - May 7th, 2009 at 12:43 PM

Mick.
Basically the fuel tank will need to come out and that fuel line replaced.
It's not too difficult and would take no time at all. (1 hour max)
Here's the proceedure http://www.vw-resource.com/fuel_tank.html 
Cheers
Simon


Blue65 - May 7th, 2009 at 08:09 PM

Hi, I've got a problem in that whenever I fill up my tank to 60% - 70% full - the fuel tends to spill out - even tho I have the fuel cap twisted on tight (new seals). Its not much of a spill - but enough comes out so that I can smell it. How can I fix this?


mickmick - May 9th, 2009 at 10:25 PM

Well i found (with friends help) a small pin sized hole in the bottom of the tank. We used marine Kneed It on the outside of the tank to plug the hole. It seems to have worked so far but will know for sure tomorrow. I know it isn't as good as sealing the tank but it's alot less time consuming and very easy. :)


68AutoBug - May 10th, 2009 at 01:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Blue65
Hi, I've got a problem in that whenever I fill up my tank to 60% - 70% full - the fuel tends to spill out - even tho I have the fuel cap twisted on tight (new seals). Its not much of a spill - but enough comes out so that I can smell it. How can I fix this?


Some of the early fuel caps only just sealed...
You must have a breather hose somewhere...
to let the air in as the fuel is used...

in later beetles [1968>] this is usually the hose that seeps and gives you fuel fumes...
I replaced all My fuel hoses, and no more fuel smells...

LEE


kombivw - May 10th, 2009 at 06:46 AM

Well I am an expert in this area now. Generally speaking with Beetles and Kombi's, it always seems to be the Rubber hoses. If you go through the effort of removing the tank, DONT replace with anything but the braided lines. The repco lines are just false economy.


Blue65 - May 10th, 2009 at 10:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 68AutoBug
[quote
Some of the early fuel caps only just sealed...
You must have a breather hose somewhere...
to let the air in as the fuel is used...
n later beetles [1968>] this is usually the hose that seeps and gives you fuel fumes...
I replaced all My fuel hoses, and no more fuel smells...
LEE


so do you throw away the hose and block up the small inlet at the top then?


mickmick - May 10th, 2009 at 11:06 AM

I'm pretty sure you will need the breather hose still or then you would have a vacuum and the fuel would not flow. I think anyway.