Get Rid of your inline fuel filter!!

[lukesky]

I know this has been said a million times, but if you have a fuel filter between the fuel pump and the carb (or anywhere else in the engine compartment), get rid of it!!!

I kept putting this project off until I could find the time to do all the fuel lines, but I got rid of it today. I was warming up the Thing this morning after changing the oil yesterday and when I went back to check on the idling engine, gas was flowing everywhere. Fortunately, it wasn't warmed up yet, but the filter was right next to the coil and was leaking gas all over the soon-to-be-hot exhaust/manifold. In a couple more seconds, it would probably have been on the pulleys spraying all over the generator and everything else electric.

I dodged a flame-filled bullet this time. It took all of about 60 seconds to replace the line, so DO IT NOW!!.
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You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit.
-Gabi

[gfw1985]

Read the "sticky" under late models/ super forum, beetles and fires. Pay attention to Glenn's response's. Fuel line size, proper filter and location, clamps. It is perfectly safe, but most people do not use proper hose size and cheap filter with no clamps.

[Ferretkona]

I buy the fram's for $2. I believe safer than the $0.39 plastic ones.
Use only the correct braided hose with clamps.

[bmwloco]

Agreed. Perfectly safe.

Additionally, necessary. Old gas tanks get crap in them. Fuel lines go bad.

A fuel filter, properly attached and safely installed will A) keep you on the road even something goes bad B) will visually show you something is going bad.

Stay on top of your vehicle, maintain it regularly, and visually inspect it like an aircraft. Promise, you'll be right, mate.

[TimGud]

I've run the inline filter for close to 20 years with no problems, BUT I use the proper braided fuel line, change it out every year to 18 months, and I look everything over every time I check the oil. Only time I have ever had a close call is when the inlet tube to the carb came loose. Luckily it did so when I was changing the line.

[Locknar]

Here is a good example of a volkswagen fire. You can hear the owner make a comment about the fuel filter. Here ya go:

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=6773384236808113530&q=beetle+%2B+fire
_________________
Life is a web woven by necessity and chance.

My Fav vw shop: www.airkooledkustoms.com

1973-T3-SQB
1971-1302

[bugninva]

the filter isn't the problem...lack of clamps isn't the problem(with braided hose)...the problem is weight.....and the metal filters even weigh more...properly SECURE the filter so it doesn't bounce around and pop the (pressed in) tube out of the carb.....or move it....
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[emersonbiggins]

I've spent the money to get braided hose and haven't found it to be of any better quality then the rubber hose.
My experience.

[Towel Rail]

I put my filter by the transmission, where the fuel line leaves the tunnel. That way, if anything goes wrong with it, fuel sprays on the ground instead of the engine compartment.

Are there *any* good reasons to put the filter on the pressure side of the pump, out of curiosity?
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009

[emersonbiggins]

DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE is even more harmeful to your VW Thing then the fuel you put in it. I have seen more Things destroyed by this deadly chemical then I have by gas fires. Lets all ban together to defeat it's harmful effects.


http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html

[Towel Rail]

[andk5591]

As an added precaution, use safety wires. Thin stainless wire looped around hoseclamp to a screw on the carb body, (takes care of the inlet tube coming loose), run wire from hose clamp to hose clamp at the fuel filter so that joint wont come apart. (I use metal filter as well and run it near the tranny)

No safety wire per se at the fuel pump, but both lines are cable tied together at several points and then anchored at the shroud. All this took pennies in material and about an hour of time. Pretty cheap insurance.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[kevin11]

[WD-40]

[bugninva]

all fuel filters, no matter of location, should be secured, not "swinging".... here at my home i have 6 vehicles...two of them are vw's....none of them came from the factory with a separate fuel filter in the engine compartment...(chevy pu has one built into the inlet of the carb, similar to webers..)
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[bciesq]

Flame suite on (heh, double entendre).

I have *two* filters in my engine compartment.

I use German hose, filters with barbs, fuel line clamps (not generic worm clamps), and I support the filters off to the side with garbage ties or zip ties so they are not swinging around.

I honestly didn't know that filters could fail from heat cycling, so I've added squeezing the filters periodically to my maintenance regimen, but since I change them every 10,000 miles, I don't think that it will pose a huge problem.

I guess I like living on the edge.
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'73 Thing -- making 45 mph exciting again.

[bugninva]

[spiderjames]

I have had two engine fires in the 27 years I have been driving VWs. One was because the inlet tube popped out of the carb. the other was because my dumbass forgot to connect the fuel hose to the carb before starting the engine. Both were because of inattention on my part. Never had a fuel filter come loose or leak. Always use the cheapie plastic ones too. If you use the good braided hose that's the right diameter no hose clamps should be necessary. Just gotta stay in touch with your VW. Inspect it regularly. keep spares. Replace stuff before it fails. Part of the discipline.

A fire extinguisher would have been handy too.

[bugninva]

[terrell1968]

i use three filters . one is a vw diesel filter set on the drivers side fender well. This way i can bleed fuel out the bottom and do a visual on how my fuel and the hose after that fliter with magnets attached to it and the hose after the pump with magnets . never had a problem but i do check all fittings from the carbs to the first filter every week.