What is this Fuel Mix reservoir for?

duck1098 · Last edited by duck1098 on Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:34 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hello guys,
I just bought a kit car that has a 1600cc VW engine. I noticed there's a reservoir next to the fuel tank but the owner(dealer) didn't know what it is. On the cap it says "fuel mix"
Should I be adding anything to it?

Car stalled today after a minute idle and now wont start. That reservoir is empty on the left side and very little on the right side. I filled it up with gasoline but car still wont start. I'm changing fuel pump and filter next.

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KTPhil · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:32 pm Post subject:

Looks like a brake fluid reservoir. Maybe he lost the cap and put a different one on. Follow the hoses and see if they run to your master. You probably have a leak in one half of your brake system you need to attend to.

duck1098 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:36 pm Post subject:

grandpa pete · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:47 pm Post subject:

[email protected] · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:09 pm Post subject:

Since one side was empty you needed to bleed the system anyway.

There are many posts on this site that detail how to get the car running, usually in this order.

Complete tune up.
Check for spark.
Check for fuel mixture.

There is a book you need to order before you hurt somebody. How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures by John Muir it is pretty basic, and also has a pretty good section on getting the car to start. I keep mine in the car so I can reference it when I don't have web access.

And eventually also get the Bentley manual for your year. It is a very detailed manual, but assumes you know what you are doing.

Beautiful car by the way, I drooled at that one when it was in the classifieds, and unlike a lot of kit cars it has a roof making rainy days much more enjoyable.

[email protected] · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:19 pm Post subject:

Post a city in your location. Maybe someone would come over and help get it running for a beer and a ride.

duck1098 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:27 pm Post subject:

The reason I put gas in there was because it says Fuel Mix and on the hose it says "Fuel Hose"... man I'm an idiot, this is kit car... anyways, so I guess I'll just have to bleed the system to get the gasoline out. I siphoned the reservoir already. What kind of brake fluid should I use? I have dot3 and dot 4.

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:29 pm Post subject:

If you seriously put gasoline in the brake reservoir..
After you clean the reservoir VERY WELL >.. flush the entire system with new clean NEW brake fluid (Dot 3/4) .. and you may get lucky the system wont be ruined..
I'd also replace that fuel line for brake reservoir hose.. with brake fluid compatible hose...
Fuel hose for brake hose WILL leach of and will ruin the system in time.

Plus... .Brake fluid needs to be flushed every 2-3 years... period..

Dont feel so bad.. Rolling Eyes

....
It amazes me..often... what people just toss in reservoirs and under caps these days..
Never AssUme the cap is labeled correctly..

I've pulled coolant out of brake systems... water out of crankcases, washer fluid out of DEF reservoirs....... just to name a few

These newer "Global" picture caps are the worst.. an oil can can look like a water can.. and if its a certain color... who the hell knows what goes in it..

But Think

In this case... yeah.. that was pretty lame... Laughing

I dont remember any 2 cycle VW's that made it past prototype..

Laughing

.
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duck1098 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:31 pm Post subject:

Aussiebug · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 3:28 pm Post subject:

Yep - dual circuit brake fluid reservoir.

Use DOT3 or DOT4 fluid, but NOT DOT 5.

And definitely replace that fuel hose for the correct blue coloured brake fluid lines. Stupid PO to use fuel hose for brake fluid - absolutely NOT compatible.

Dont be surprised if you have to replace the MC and maybe even slave cylinder seals after having gasoline contamination in there.
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duck1098 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 3:37 pm Post subject:

So I just picked up this fuel pump but it looks different than what was in there. Will this work?

Northof49 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 3:42 pm Post subject:

I'd start with changing the fuel filter and testing the existing fuel pump. Hook an outlet line up to some fuel hose, run it into a bottle and have someone crank over the engine. It should produce a near solid stream of fuel. No point changing the pump if it isn't the problem.
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duck1098 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 4:56 pm Post subject:

Northof49 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:04 pm Post subject:

If you can hook up the lines, I'd give it a try. There's been a number of different style pumps made for these motors over the years. Mine still has the old style you can take apart.
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duck1098 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:09 pm Post subject:

I installed the new pump and the filter. It's still not starting. Is the fuel filter supposed to be filled with gas? Because it's not there's only a few drops sitting at the bottom of it

61SNRF · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 7:16 pm Post subject:

On that new style pump in your picture, be aware that the inlet from the tank is at the top, and the outlet to the carb is on the bottom.

Catches a lot of people out, so check that first.
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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

KTPhil · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 8:49 pm Post subject:

These guys sell a reservoir cap. I'm not 100% sure if the cap changed from single to dual chamber, though. Call them and ask.

http://www.wagen-werks.com/brake-fluid-reservoir-cap-1963-1979/

bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

you now have gasoline mixed with brake fluid (and you had a brake problem before the gasoline was added as the reservoir should never run dry)

Once rubber brake parts (all the seals and rubber pistons cups in every cylinder and hoses) are exposed to any petroleum based fluid like gasoline, the parts are ruined. That is why in all the car books and manuals that discuss cleaning of the brake rubber parts have a warning to never use petroleum based solvents for cleaning the rubber parts.

You need a full brake rebuild, I suggest you buy all five new cylinders, master and four wheel cylinders and all wheel hoses (4 total) and the rubber hoses that go from reservoir to master. I'd probably buy a new reservoir too, and get a cap that fits nice and tight.

The brakes where bad before the gasoline, so don't fell bad about it, the gasoline finished the brakes off. now the brakes may still work a little, for now, but the gasoline has been absorbed by the rubber seals and piston cups, which means they have swelled and will tear easy now. with further use the cups will fail as they cant take the wear, rubbing and pressure that they could before exposure to gasoline.

For you own safety sake, please rebuild the brake system, replacing all parts except the metal pipes (unless they have rust issues)

Besure to flush out all traces of gasoline thru the metal pipes before hooking up your new brake cylinders.

Actually it is very good you found the low reservoir as that indicates that one of more wheel cylinders or master has failed already.

Idea

Since you will be replacing ALL rubber parts (including hoses) now would be an EXCELLENT time to convert from DOT 3/4 fluid to DOT5 silicone fluid. Idea

Unlike the regular DOT3 or 4 fluid the silicone fluid does not require flushing every year or two to keep it dry and prevent rust in the brake system. Silicone fluid will not absorb water and thus is great for someone with collector cars that may not have the time to keep up with yearly or so brake system flushes. I have converted two of my cars to silicone over 10 years ago and have had excellent results, zero maintenance!!! and silicone fluid will not eat body work paint!!!!

the once thing is that silicone fluid requires that ALL rubber parts that have been exposed to DOT3 or 4 fluid be removed. What happens if you reuse old rubber parts exposed to the old fluid is that the rubber absorbs the old fluid which is fine, it can handle that, but since it is absorbed, it cant be washed out , so then you expose it to silicone fluid, which is also absorbed, a reaction to both types of fluid absorbed in the rubber takes place causing the rubber to swell and tear, just the same as if the rubber was exposed to petroleum products such as gasoline.

So take advantage of the situation, and convert to silicone fluid while your at it since you really need to replace ALL the rubber parts anyway do to the gasoline, plus the brake system was failing anyway.

good luck, safe stopping!!! Laughing

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bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075


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