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Wed Aug 11, 2004 6:58 pm

Has anyone had to repair/replace the center fuel line (metal line inside tunnel) on a type 3? I understand this could be a pretty difficult job and I am looking for any advice that could help with this job. Thanks in advanced.

Thu Aug 12, 2004 6:47 pm

I can't find anything either. I know it will be a huge PITA, but while the pan's bare I'm going to try to replace it. I'll make sure to take lots of pictures.

Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:27 pm

I haven't done this and have no direct advice but I have seen it replaced on cars by running the line outside the tunnel, next to the brake line or on the opposite side of the tunnel.

Thu Aug 12, 2004 9:20 pm

Hmm...next to the tunnel. I've seen that too, but have preminitions of getting a leak then dropping a lit cig and - poof! :shock: vw flambe`. I know probably a one in a mil chance., but with my luck. I'll probably end up fight with it for a couple of weeks, then break down and do it that way...

Thu Aug 12, 2004 9:33 pm

If you look at the front of the car up underneath just behind the front beam, there's a square plate held on with two bolts. Remove the plate and crane your neck and a flashlight up in there without popping anything and if memory serves me right, you'll see the fuel line along with the clutch and throttle cable tubes. I have a vague memory of unclamping them at the rear of the car and in the tunnel, and pulling it out the back. Used to have to replace 'em occasionally in the Rust Belt, along with repairing/ replacing clutch and throttle cable tubes. It ain't fun, but it can be done. Otherwise, just run it under the pan for now.

Sat Aug 14, 2004 8:36 am

Thanks for the advice guys. Of particular help was your advice Tramandbixrule. I found the cover leading into the tunnel, and it does allow me do at least see inside the tunnel. Also you say that (from your experience) you put the new line in from the back. Is this because it is easier to guide through the tunnel access hole in the front (under the gas tank)? Also, did you ever try to use an old line to pull a new line through (maybe pull a piece of sturdy wire through as you pulled the old line out, then use the wire to pull new line through tunnel)? Do you know if that would work?

Again, appreciate any comments ideas before I begin the job. Thanks folks!

Mon Aug 16, 2004 5:38 am

i just pulled the interior in my 71 fasty and the fuel line is outside of the tunnel on the driver's side, is this NOT the stock set up?

Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:33 am

check the path of your line thsat's on the outside drive side, it's probally your brake line.

Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:14 am

that is very possible. i didn't think of that.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:05 am

back from the dead, this thread was just rotting away like my hard line has.

Anyway I'm having issues with fuel delivery.
Currently there is a line run under the tunnel just king of flopping in the wind so to speak.

The front hard line goes into the tunnel under the tank but doesn't come out @ the back. It should exit through the hole by the clutch and throttle cables correct?

Anyway is the line through the tunnel connected at all or just kind of sitting there?

Tram you mentioned you kind of remember pulling it out the back to that would suggest it is not affixed to anything inside the tunnel correct?

The hanging line under the tunnel makes me nervous of catching a road apple or something stupid on the highway and creating an issue.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:34 am

J.Glo wrote: back from the dead, this thread was just rotting away like my hard line has.

Anyway I'm having issues with fuel delivery.
Currently there is a line run under the tunnel just king of flopping in the wind so to speak.

The front hard line goes into the tunnel under the tank but doesn't come out @ the back. It should exit through the hole by the clutch and throttle cables correct?

Anyway is the line through the tunnel connected at all or just kind of sitting there?

Tram you mentioned you kind of remember pulling it out the back to that would suggest it is not affixed to anything inside the tunnel correct?

The hanging line under the tunnel makes me nervous of catching a road apple or something stupid on the highway and creating an issue.

If I remember right, there are at least 3 clamping spots for the fuel line inside the tunnel. I saw that info in the Blue Bentley, as they actually show how to replace it. They actually use the new line to push the old one out. :shock: Otherwise, I'd think you'd need to blast a couple of holes in the right side of the tunnel, to direct the line in place, since your exit piece is missing (it's broke off inside the tunnel).

Personally, I'd just get about 5 or 6 adel clamps, and clamp that line to the bottom of the tunnel (drill and tap some holes). I did that on my 71 Notch, as the lines were rusted out (inside the tunnel) on it. No problems after 4 years either. 8) And IF it ever developes a leak, I can replace it easily. :D

Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:45 pm

EverettB wrote: I haven't done this and have no direct advice but I have seen it replaced on cars by running the line outside the tunnel, next to the brake line or on the opposite side of the tunnel.

Yeah I have seen this too, but in our country this is a big no no, and I assume this would also be true in other countries?

Can be run under the pan though.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:53 pm

Under the pan might be okay, but between our Ohio roads & our vertically challenged vehicles, even the occasional scrape can be worrisome. Better him than me 8)

Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:26 am

That's why I suggested right next to the bottom of the tunnel. There's actually an indent there, which makes for a nice spot for it. On mine, I was going to build a little skid plate for it (when I was down 3 in front, and 2 in back), but I never needed it (it hit on the beam instead). Once I raised it up to 2 in front, and 1 in the rear, it never bottomed out, unless I was crossing the rail road tracks (we can get some rough crossings here in Michigan). :evil: But even with that, it never got the fuel lines (yes, 2, a supply and a return). And IF you know you're lowered, you cross things like that differently. :wink:

Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:03 am

Well that shows how much I've been under mine… :roll:

Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:40 am

when I did my beetle, we tied a string on the old tube and pulled it out.

if you feed it front to back through the tunnel with the string attached it still takes some fishing to get it to come out the rear. i was using 3/8 tubing too so that makes it more difficult.
Then you have to bend a 90 in the front and feed it through the front grommet.
With mine it was pushed down snug to the floor so it doesn't rattle or move around.

Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:43 am

Thanks for the pics Qubes, haha

Bob the line is as much in the indent as possible, i see what you were talking about now.

I cleaned the tank yesterday and reoriented it a bit to get it as far up into the indent as I could.

On a related note before draining the tank don't fill up, and if you do do not rely on your 2 year old to go find another implement to catch fuel pouring out.

Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:26 am

I have a 1/2" hard fuel line running under my notch and anyone that was at the last invasion knows it sits low in the front. The line is in greats shape and as Bob said, there is some protection for it in that location.