I have a random question, Bookus if this in the wrong section sorry bout that.
I have alittle issue, my '68 had a bad fuel filler line and was shredded right at the mouth of the filler line that attached near the fuel door and gas would leak alittle bit specially if i had a full tank a gas.
the tank would slosh and the smell of gas would be pretty strong, i had the line replaced and no gas has leaked near the fuel door anymore, but now the smell of gas seems to have stayed.
Personally I haven't noticed it, but my lovely girlfriend always says that once i start the '68 there is a smell of gas, and her family as well as my own always say i reek of gas after taking the bug for a drive and it's even stronger after i get a full tank still, i checked under the bug to see if i had any puddles, but didn't find any, and also the fuel line and fuel filter seem like they're not leaking either, any have suggestions what the smell could be from?
when i spoke to her about she said when we drove the '74 she never really noticed a smell with that car, only the '68, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, so i can calm her woes as well as my own cause she has the awesome skill of making someone paranoid ;D.
Hiya Zoo,
Hey! I'm pretty easy on what goes where in the forums. And this certainly seems like a technical question to me.
Gas smells are almost always connected to leaky rubber parts. Often the leaks are miniscule. Sometimes it's just a matter of the outside of a hose appearing a little damp. That's all it takes. One usually does not find a pool of gasoline.
Now, right off the top, I'm not all that familiar with the fuel system plumbing under the hood for a 68. But try this........... check any hosing you may have over on the passenger side of the car near the fuel filler hose. Two rubber pieces that often get overlooked are the seal for the gas guage (on top of the tank) and the seal in the gas cap. Also be sure to check to your small gastank vent hose. It needs to run forward into the spare tire well and dump to the outside through a hole on the spare tire well.
Thanks for the quick reply Bookus, I'll check that out tomorrow if it's not raining or snowing or both!
Zoo,
You may be unfortunate enough to have a cracked hard line inside the tunnel if Mike's suggestions turn up nothing untoward? You can pull off the rear (gearshift coupler) inspection plate and do a stench test in the there.
I guess another source would be leaking somewhere between tinware and the carb itself, and the fumes are getting to your cabin by way of deteriorated or missing sealer bags up in the quarter panels? Might pay to check that too?.
HTH
Volkenstein
Hi
Most cars Our age need all the fuel breather hoses replaced...
because of their age, most have small cracks that may not leak fuel,
but do leak fumes....
I replaced all mine, but the main hose that was wet from fuel now & then
was the breather hose next to the filler hose...
I have a picture of the hose and how I replaced it with a straight piece of hose..
on My website...
at the moment I cannot post any pics on here..
Lee
http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug [click on hose]
Hello there!
I would also check the fuel line between the bottom of the tank and the pan. if the tank was loosened up enough to replace the filler hose, it could have easily cracked the supply hose under the tank. If it has never been replaced, it will literally disintegrate in your hands if you try and mess with it. The hose usually stays in one piece from the factory due to the lack of movement between the tank and pan. The instant it is moved or bothered in any way, it will start to leak almost guaranteed.
I replaced mine a few months ago for the same reason. I loosened up the tank slightly to repair the filler pipe and the supply hose cracked. I could smell gas coming from my car from across the street! Mine also started to leave gas puddles under the front end. The hose disintevaporated in my hands as soon as I touched it to replace it.
Hope this helps out!
-Evan
this more then helps, it's suppose to snow and rain for the rest of the week, so i'm alittle fustrated, as i need warm weather, once it clears up, i'm gonna check all these suggestions.
Here's a picture of the fuel tank and hoses if you don't have it already.
(http://www.oldbeetle.com/pcat/T1_25-10.jpg)
http://www.oldbeetle.com/pcat/epc.html
Thanks Herc