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Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:33 am

Just getting back to my lot-find '71 Fastback. When I posted this 18 months or so ago, a few people raised an eyebrow at the odd 'two filter' set up. I replaced the left side fuel line and removed the fuel filter. I'm about to take on the right side fuel line. I am interested in opinions on placement of the plastic fuel filter. I have seen plenty of photos with it situated right about where it is in the photo below. I have read a post from Russ suggesting it is best placed in the front under the tank.

Thoughts?

Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:37 am

I would not install filters in the engine compartment of an ACVW.
Especially those plastic ones.
I would put one filter under the gas tank at the front of the car.

Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:33 pm

Gas tank to plastic fuel filter to metal line coming out of the frame at the front firewall. Is that how you set it up?

And I know this is 101, but I'll set myself out there for riducle and embarrassment anyway ... since this has been converted to a progressive carb, the only fuel pump I have is the mechanical one in the engine compartment, right?

Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:46 pm

RodneyW wrote: Gas tank to plastic fuel filter to metal line coming out of the frame at the front firewall. Is that how you set it up?

And I know this is 101, but I'll set myself out there for riducle and embarrassment anyway ... since this has been converted to a progressive carb, the only fuel pump I have is the mechanical one in the engine compartment, right?

I personally do not use the plastic filters on my VW's unless I have to. I use metal can filters.
If the line is 1/4", I use a Hasting GF1 style, and if it is 5/16" line, I use the Hasting GF2 style.

Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:38 am

Russ Wolfe wrote: I would not install filters in the engine compartment of an ACVW.
Especially those plastic ones.
I would put one filter under the gas tank at the front of the car.

Russ - You don't recommend putting them in the engine compartment because gas will spill on top of the engine when replacing or because it will melt (plastic style) from the heat?

How do you prevent the gas from draining from the tank when you change the filter which is below it? Just clamp it off?

Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:27 am

Jam a big screw/bolt into the fuel line temporarily.

Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:45 am

I clamp the inlet hose off with a pair of vice-grips

Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:48 am

You know, it just so happens I have an extra pair of vise grips now.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=313092

Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:59 am

19typethree67 wrote: Russ Wolfe wrote: I would not install filters in the engine compartment of an ACVW.
Especially those plastic ones.
I would put one filter under the gas tank at the front of the car.

Russ - You don't recommend putting them in the engine compartment because gas will spill on top of the engine when replacing or because it will melt (plastic style) from the heat?

How do you prevent the gas from draining from the tank when you change the filter which is below it? Just clamp it off?

Combination of several things. Heat of the engine, vibration of the engine, and the fact that those little plastic filters, I don't trust them.
Plus, How much surface area is in one of those plastic things?? Maybe 5 square inches?? Most of the metal can filters like the ones I mentioned, have 30 -36 square inches of filter medium.

As for preventing gas running, just clamp the line off.
This is what I use. It does not damage the fuel line.

Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:50 am

Russ Wolfe wrote: 19typethree67 wrote: Russ Wolfe wrote: I would not install filters in the engine compartment of an ACVW.
Especially those plastic ones.
I would put one filter under the gas tank at the front of the car.

Russ - You don't recommend putting them in the engine compartment because gas will spill on top of the engine when replacing or because it will melt (plastic style) from the heat?

How do you prevent the gas from draining from the tank when you change the filter which is below it? Just clamp it off?

Combination of several things. Heat of the engine, vibration of the engine, and the fact that those little plastic filters, I don't trust them.
Plus, How much surface area is in one of those plastic things?? Maybe 5 square inches?? Most of the metal can filters like the ones I mentioned, have 30 -36 square inches of filter medium.

As for preventing gas running, just clamp the line off.
This is what I use. It does not damage the fuel line.

Cool, that's the way I'll hook mine up then. Maybe I'll give my new plastic filter to my son to play with. It can be a little Bazooka gun for his little action figures.

Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:16 pm

LesTroyer wrote: I clamp the inlet hose off with a pair of vice-grips

x2. Needle-nose style to be exact.

Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:29 pm

I have a pair of these -- they work very nicely...

Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:26 pm

blankmange wrote:

I have a pair of these -- they work very nicely...

Those work too, and don't damage the line.
Mine close like a safety pin. You can do it one handed while the gas is running down your arm pit.

Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:53 pm

atrujillo1991 wrote: LesTroyer wrote: I clamp the inlet hose off with a pair of vice-grips

x2. Needle-nose style to be exact.

Nothing like damaging the fuel line by crushing it :roll:

Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:35 pm

Russ Wolfe wrote: blankmange wrote:

I have a pair of these -- they work very nicely...

Those work too, and don't damage the line.
Mine close like a safety pin. You can do it one handed while the gas is running down your arm pit.

gasoline makes a fine deodorant -- you won't smell like ass anymore...

Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:20 pm

Icy wrote: atrujillo1991 wrote: LesTroyer wrote: I clamp the inlet hose off with a pair of vice-grips

x2. Needle-nose style to be exact.

Nothing like damaging the fuel line by crushing it :roll:

I have a pair of needle nose vice grips with lengths of snug- fitting rubber hose over the grip ends. Works like a champ, and won't damage the line.

The official VW bulletin on inline fuel filters on carbed cars said to put them in the rubber line under the car in front of the engine.

Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:39 am

Tram wrote: Icy wrote: atrujillo1991 wrote: LesTroyer wrote: I clamp the inlet hose off with a pair of vice-grips

x2. Needle-nose style to be exact.

Nothing like damaging the fuel line by crushing it :roll:

I have a pair of needle nose vice grips with lengths of snug- fitting rubber hose over the grip ends. Works like a champ, and won't damage the line.

The official VW bulletin on inline fuel filters on carbed cars said to put them in the rubber line under the car in front of the engine. Understood, but there's a difference between "snug" and what I bet most people do -- bear down on it to insure no gas can possibly come out.

Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:50 am

When I worked at the dealers, and we tore and an engine down, and the customer decided not to fix it and was going to tow it out of the shop, we would shove the fuel pump pushrod in the fuel line to plug it. Just the right size for the carb size fuel line.