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Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:39 pm

I've had my '74 bus for about a month, the first one I've had. Newbie alert. When I bought it there was a locking gas cap on it that I didn't have the key for, so I had to take it off. I temporarily closed the tank with a rag and some tape so no debris would get into the tank while I was driving. Two days later the fuel pump dies. The mechanic I took it to said it may have died because air wasn't getting into the tank through the makeshift cap. I found a vented cap, not specifically for a vw bus, but the size was close enough that it worked, replaced the fuel pump and everything seems to be fine.
Now I've left the gas cap at a gas station and am trying to find a replacement but can't find a vented cap anywhere. I know there is a venting system, which is why I'm finding only non-vented caps. So... here are my several questions:
1) Did I actually destroy my fuel pump by plugging the gas tank, or was that a coincidence and my fuel pump was on its last leg and just waiting to go?
2) If I did kill my fuel pump does that mean that the venting system isn't working?
3) Is it possible that my venting system works fine and I should just buy a non-vented cap and not worry about it? How can I check that without destroying another fuel pump?

Thanks for the help.

LDeckinga

Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:32 pm

Unless I am drastically mistaken, your bus should have a tank vent system already.

I don't think you need a vented cap. I don't have one. I have a smooth chrome or maybe stainless thing the PO put on it. He put it on because of an issue with someone prying the cap off and syphoning. this thing fits snug enough that there would be no leverage against the side of the inset. It also seems to have a way of changing the number of cork shims to space the seal correctly. He probably just got it from a parts store.

Even if your tank was airtight apart from the filler, how mad did you go with the tape? Unless you got waterproof canvas and rammed it in there with a pipe, air still should have gotten through. I say something else killed your fuel pump.

Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:02 pm

http://www.bus-boys.com/

Scroll down the left side to Gas Caps. You want this one:

B. 211-201-551R Gas Cap, Locking, Black, 1974 to 1979 $29.70

Put your gas cap key on the keyring with your bus key & you are unlikely to ever forget that cap again.

I would also suggest finding a different mechanic that knows air-cooled VW buses... surely some Samba member here can suggest a good place in the bay area. Better yet, buy a Bentley manual, ask questions here, and learn to work on the bus yourself.

Finally, congrats on the new bus. We like pictures. Now is a perfect time to change your fuel lines and fuel tank vent line connections. Look here http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FuelHoses.html

Pay particular attention to this diagram...

Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:15 pm

Thanks for the help.
If anyone knows of a good mechanic in the Oakland/Berkeley area for the repairs I can't do myself that would be great.
I bought the bus in NY and drove it to CA. The mechanic I took the bus to was in Pennsylvania, so I won't be seeing him again regardless. I bought the Bentley manual in Colorado and have done a handful of repairs already.