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Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:29 pm

So I go out into my garage and it smells like gas real bad. I pop the lid to my 69 bus and notice the gas line that goes into the fuel pump is soaked, the fuel pump is soaked and there is gas all pooled up on the tin. This seems to have happened while sitting because I haven't driven it in days. Anyone know what could make this happen? Could there be throttle linkage stuck open causing this? I just can't see why it's happening and don't want to drive it! Thanks.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:38 pm

Hose clamp loose? Port working its way out of the fuel pump? Tap it back in and safety wire it to the fuel pump. Clean the fuel mess up. Get a fire extinguisher (shouldn't get a fire just be safe) have your helper turn it over (with coil/distributor wire disconnected to prevent starting) while you look for the leak. Go from there.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:39 pm

Are the fuel lines more than 18 months old?

Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:36 pm

you know I love and will only use the right german fuel line but man it sure dosn't seen to last. What I have found if it go's dry after being used it fails soon after.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:44 pm

bigbore wrote: you know I love and will only use the right german fuel line but man it sure dosn't seen to last. What I have found if it go's dry after being used it fails soon after.

There's been a real quality control issue with the Continental braided fuel line the last few years. This is one instance when I fully advocate using American parts on a VW.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:23 pm

So what fuel line would you recommend Tram? American is a bit vague. Specifics? My bus Weber kit from CB came with non-braided hose. And I always use the braided German hose on the bug but it's been a couple years now and time to do all the hose replacing again.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:35 pm

The lines are all only about 8-9 months old so I didn't really consider that. If there is a possible quality control issue with them I guess I'll try a new one. Hose clamp is tight and I don't think I have the fuel pump that has the common popping out/needing to be wired issue. Unfortunately I won't be able to work on this until monday because i'll be leaving for the weekend tomorrow.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:14 pm

got any mice? They come in this time of the year.

What about a loose nipple on the pump or carb?

Where is your fuel filter in comparison to this?

After you mopped it up and aired out the garage did you watch to see where it actually leaks from?

as I said before - 1 cup of gasoline equals 15 sticks of dynamite. Air that place out.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:37 pm

Desertbusman wrote: So what fuel line would you recommend Tram? American is a bit vague. Specifics? My bus Weber kit from CB came with non-braided hose. And I always use the braided German hose on the bug but it's been a couple years now and time to do all the hose replacing again.

Or was the CB kit fuel line internal braided fuel hose which IMO is much better. Get some Goodyear FI fuel lines even on a carb set up or mostly steel lines with as little as possible hose.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:19 am

werksberg wrote: Desertbusman wrote: So what fuel line would you recommend Tram? American is a bit vague. Specifics? My bus Weber kit from CB came with non-braided hose. And I always use the braided German hose on the bug but it's been a couple years now and time to do all the hose replacing again.

Or was the CB kit fuel line internal braided fuel hose which IMO is much better. Get some Goodyear FI fuel lines even on a carb set up or mostly steel lines with as little as possible hose.

Going to as must steel as possible is definitely the best. And using quality FI hose isn't a bad idea either. You can also buy marine hose that offers some fire resistance as does some AN stainless steel braided hose.

IMHO it is a major FU on VW part to have used any rubber hose in the engine compartment of their aircooled vehicles, everything in the engine compartment should have been steel with just a short section of flame resistant rubber hose forward of the front tin to connect to an electric cut off valve at the end of a steel line coming from the tank.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:15 am

SGKent wrote: as I said before - 1 cup of gasoline equals 15 sticks of dynamite. Air that place out.

And yet, on Mythbusters, they did an entire show on car myths - firing bullets through full gas tanks, punching a hole in a gas tank, lighting the fuel stream on fire, and driving around (extremely slowly - anything more than 5mph, and the truck outran the flames). Finally, they just stopped and let the flames engulf the whole leaking gas tank, and .......... it just burned. No earth shattering "Kaboom".

Fix your gas leak so that your bus doesn't catch on fire and burn down.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:03 am

I would also be looking for a leaking seat for the carb float that may be allowing fuel to "overflow" the float.

A great opportunity to safety wire the little brass nozzle at this time also....(from the gallery)..

Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:38 am

Tram wrote: bigbore wrote: you know I love and will only use the right german fuel line but man it sure dosn't seen to last. What I have found if it go's dry after being used it fails soon after.

There's been a real quality control issue with the Continental braided fuel line the last few years. This is one instance when I fully advocate using American parts on a VW.

I am with you Tram on the recent QC issue of the German hose. I am installing some Ford spec line on my bus, it is from the flexfuel vehicles so it will take even the shittiest of fuels and survive.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:26 am

dwill49965 wrote:
And yet, on Mythbusters, they did an entire show on car myths - firing bullets through full gas tanks, punching a hole in a gas tank, lighting the fuel stream on fire, and driving around (extremely slowly - anything more than 5mph, and the truck outran the flames). Finally, they just stopped and let the flames engulf the whole leaking gas tank, and .......... it just burned. No earth shattering "Kaboom".

Fix your gas leak so that your bus doesn't catch on fire and burn down.

Where's the KABOOM? There was supposed to be a KABOOM!

Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:45 am

Quote: And yet, on Mythbusters, they did an entire show on car myths - firing bullets through full gas tanks, punching a hole in a gas tank, lighting the fuel stream on fire, and driving around (extremely slowly - anything more than 5mph, and the truck outran the flames). Finally, they just stopped and let the flames engulf the whole leaking gas tank, and .......... it just burned. No earth shattering "Kaboom".
Don't they teach science anymore in school? It is the fumes that are explosive, not the puddle.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9xCgNdZPKk

Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:42 pm

Yes, they teach science in school, and in university, and during post graduate studies.

Neat video - good thing that is nowhere near what happens in any vehicle accident, be it bus, car, or any other type of vehicle with a gas tank.
Listen to the last few words of the narrator on the video. I'll transcribe:
(from minute 1:17)

"Although the fuel air explosive is incredibly powerful, it needs a lot of air to ignite properly, so it is useless in areas ...." and then the video clip ends.

Gee, I wonder what was going to be said next? Perhaps ".... useless in areas like enclosed gas tanks?" :lol:

Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:23 am

drober23 wrote:
Where's the KABOOM? There was supposed to be a KABOOM!

"No boom today. Boom tomorrow. Always a boom tomorrow."

Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:29 am

In october I was replacing the fuel lines on my 71 westy. Using a halogen light as I have always done. I clamped the fuel outlet and made my first cut. As soon as I did, a ball of fire erupted from the fumes. I lost the 71 as well as my 74 that was nearby. My house suffered only outside damage and the family was safe but I got second degree burns all over my hand and arm. Needless to say I will never work on lines with any kind of heat source nearby again. I guess after doing it so many times I got lazy about the potential. And no, there was no explosions other than the tires blowing out. Be careful comrades, you dont want to go through that.
I am better now and have a nice new 71 westy :D

Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:46 am

Tram,

I too would be interested in what fuel line you recommend, if not the Continential. That's what I've got on my SB right now, but that's a restoration, and I would continue to use the woven exterior hoses even if I were change them every 18 months.

When I do my bus (Planning on a purchase in 18 months from now) I plan to do it 'reliable' not slavishly 'stock.' (That is, stock when ever stock==reliable.)

So what do you recommend.

M