Posts: 103
Threads: 35
Registered: October 22nd, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Quinns Rocks WA 6030
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: chilled
posted on September 15th, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Help with petrol smell in car?
Is there a thread to help novices identify a fuel leak issue ? Seems to becoming from the heater channel (it's a 76 so they are at the top of the
dash), quite astrongsmell but not losing fuel noticeably. I had a look under the hood, couldn't see any corrosion at the top end of the tank. Thanks
all!
ACE76
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 105
Threads: 19
Registered: August 4th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Victoria
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Purple
Mood: ACE 30 FOR SALE!
posted on September 15th, 2016 at 04:43 PM
If it's a '76 beetle, there is a black plastic expansion tank next to the fuel tank on RHS of car. From this a small plastic hose runs towards
driver, across rear of boot at top, down on pass. side, under car, reappears under drivers side: underneath between front of door and rear of guard,
then goes to charcoal cannister under rear RHS guard just along the inside of chassis edge. This hose can fracture with age; and there are some
joints in it. There are also larger hoses from the expansion tank to the fuel tank, and the filler-tube. Any leaks, vapour or liquid from these
areas may be hazardous & smell... if it's from this system, don't fully fill tank until it's reapaired. Petrol can also leak if slopping from
the filler cap, or the base of the tank (due to water in it causing rust).
ACE 30 & ACE 40 oil: specially formulated for your Air Cooled Engine...
Delivery free Outer Eastern Melb. & Dandenong Ranges.
from$19 for 2.5L (spot-on for 1 fill, re-use bottle to measure), or $29 for 5L (2 fills)
1303Steve
A.k.a.: Steve Carter
Scirocco Rare
Posts: 8621
Threads: 556
Registered: August 27th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney, NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Parrot Heading
posted on September 15th, 2016 at 05:11 PM
Ive had trouble with the filler tube on later bugs
sugarlips
A.k.a.: Splitty Addict
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 103
Threads: 35
Registered: October 22nd, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Quinns Rocks WA 6030
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: chilled
posted on September 15th, 2016 at 06:15 PM
Quote:
Originally
posted by ACE76
If it's a '76 beetle, there is a black plastic expansion tank next to the fuel tank on RHS of car. From this a small plastic hose runs towards
driver, across rear of boot at top, down on pass. side, under car, reappears under drivers side: underneath between front of door and rear of guard,
then goes to charcoal cannister under rear RHS guard just along the inside of chassis edge. This hose can fracture with age; and there are some
joints in it. There are also larger hoses from the expansion tank to the fuel tank, and the filler-tube. Any leaks, vapour or liquid from these
areas may be hazardous & smell... if it's from this system, don't fully fill tank until it's reapaired. Petrol can also leak if slopping from
the filler cap, or the base of the tank (due to water in it causing rust).
Awesome thanks ACE. Sounds like something that should be handled by an expert then? Are these pipes generic and easy to source? Cheers S
ACE76
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 105
Threads: 19
Registered: August 4th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Victoria
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Purple
Mood: ACE 30 FOR SALE!
posted on September 16th, 2016 at 03:34 PM
You should be able to check the top area around the tank, just remove the boot liner and have a good look with a torch if needed; and under the RHS of
car, and under rear guard. If the tank is filled to the top, you may see it wet somewhere, and can then get it repaired/replaced as needed. If it's
coming out the filler cap, you'll see it wet after cornering (with a full tank too).
The little hoses (black or blue across luggage compartment, and under car - can't recall exactly) might be polythene, or nylon, with clear
fuel-resistant PVC sections in the corners under bonnet. Any fuel-resistant hose of the correct size/s should do, but don't use ordinary PVC, it
will fracture. Broken/missing hoses under the rear guard at the charcoal cannister are not likely to cause noticable vapour smell in the cabin.
If there are no evident leaks in any of those areas, there may be leaks around the base of the tank: you may need to get it on a hoist to examine
that. The hoses there are usually neglected, and must be replaced if hard/cracking/leaking... a minor leak here can come & go, or it can drip
onto cover under the master cylinder not drip on the ground. Try to have the tank fairly empty before poking around under there! A garage would
drain the tank and replace hose/s as required (the rear hose should be replaced too, if old).
It is possible to have leaks in the tunnel, but if the original steel tubing is in place, this would seem less likely (unless it has been interferred
with, or rusted).
ACE 30 & ACE 40 oil: specially formulated for your Air Cooled Engine...
Delivery free Outer Eastern Melb. & Dandenong Ranges.
from$19 for 2.5L (spot-on for 1 fill, re-use bottle to measure), or $29 for 5L (2 fills)
