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Sun Mar 09, 2003 7:54 pm

Is the '74 SB fuel tank filter screen the same as the "Standard"? Most of the cataloges I've seen only show the screen for the "std". When they list a part for "Bugs" I assume it's for both but if they specify "SB" or "STD" I figure it's only just for that particular model

Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:08 am

Would not recomend using the tank filter. Put an extra filter in line before the fuel pump. Parts Books with Photos -> http://www.1800vw.bizhosting.com/parts_books.htm

Mon Mar 10, 2003 2:45 pm

Actually I did move the filter next to the transaxle so I don't have any weight on the fuel line from the pump to the carb. I hadn't thought of just pulling the tank and taking the filter screen out altogether. as long as you check/change the filter (now) before the pump it should be okay. On a Super Beetle can you get the filter screen out from underneath or is it just easier to pull the tank? Thanks!!!

Mon Mar 10, 2003 8:28 pm

You can remove the filter without removing the tank. About 4-6" towards the driver's side from the fuel line there is a 1 1/2" whole, Use an allen wrench to remove the plug in the bottom of the tank. The filter screen is right inside of there. If you are going to remove it though, it wouldn't hurt to replace it, they are only about $4.

Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:21 pm

Gary,

The answers above might have confused you a little.

The standard bugs and the early supers have a fuel screen inside the tank - above the fuel outlet.

From part way through the 73 year, the superbugs started using a different fuel pick up and they stopped the in-tank screen, but used a separate fuel filter in the line near the tank.

Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

Fri Mar 14, 2003 7:48 am

Thanks for the heads up. I don't recall seeing a filter near the tank so the PO may have had it taken off (or left it off!) if he had any work done there. Was the filter used the same as the inline filter used in the engine compartment? (Now next to the tranny!) When I thought there was a screen filter in the tank I didn't think it was clogged as I damn neared drowned when I moved
the filter from the pump/carb line to next to the tranny!!! How is the pickup different in the later SBs?

Tue Mar 18, 2003 10:11 pm

Gary,

The later pickup pipe arrangement comes in at the side of the tank a little above the bottom, and the pipe inside angles down to the bottom of the tank. No tank screen on this design.

I don't know what the external fuel filter on these looked like - I've never owned a superbug.

Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:48 am

I know this thread is over 7 years old, but I was doing some searching for something else and this one caught my eye.

The question wasn't really answered correctly, the newer (72+) Super Beetles do have an in tank screen all of Beetles have them. The older Beetles have a crush washer and screen combo that screws into the bottom of the tank.

Later they moved the pick-up to the corner of the tank and it angles down inside the tank. The screen is on the bottom of that tube inside the tank. There is a plug that can be removed to access the filter to replace it.

The in tank screen is important to prevent in tank fuel line clogs, since the filter is vertical it prevents it from getting clogged easily by rust. If the filter is removed and you have crap in your tank the output tube with eventually get partially clogged slowing down fuel flow, which is hard on the pump. If the screen get clogged you can just jump on the bumper to slosh the fuel around and bingo you are rolling, then later when you get home you can clean the crap out. If the fuel line inside tank gets clogged you will be waiting for tow truck.

Happened to me on my Super beetle last year!

Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:21 am

The wire gause filter was discontinued as of chassis #.133 2802 561 it is replaced by a in line filter close to the fuel tank.....got that off bentley manual! ( super b and convertibles)

Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:59 am

Quote: The wire gause filter was discontinued as of chassis #.133 2802 561 it is replaced by a in line filter close to the fuel tank.....got that off bentley manual! ( super b and convertibles)

That is absolutely true, there was a gauze filter on some of them screwed into the bottom of the tank, that was later replaced by a regular inline filter just under the tank.

That wasn't really filter I talking about, the one with the gauze filter still had on sock/screen on the pick-up tube. The little screen on the later Super Beetles pick-up tube is removed because a lot because people think it is a improvement but it should be on there just slides on the end of the pick-up tube nothing holding it on there. The ring on keeps it from sliding off and the screen kind of sits on the bottom, of the tank. I have seen some of the later tanks that the only way to replace the screen is through the sending unit hole, they don't have the plug.

If the tank has the plug; you can't see the filter most times you have to use a little pick to poke inside the tank and snag it by the side. They don't all line up with the hole perfectly.

Here is an image of a 74 Super that I did a repair on for a friend on a while ago, the pick-up is on the corner and the plug with 10mm hex insert is how you get to the screen. The screen/sock sits just inside on the end of the tube you can see through the hole with a flashlight. Like I said if the access hole isn't there the sock screen thing can only be reached through the sending unit hole and that is super hard since the baffle is in the way.

Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:12 pm

Oh just for extra info, a lot of older motorcycles have the same screen/sock inside the tank they just slid on top of the pick-up tube vertically. Also a great way to know it a bike has been tipped over because most of the time it comes off when you tip the bike. So when shopping I always bring a flash light and look inside for the screen.

So if you are looking for one cheap Foreign motorcycle repair shops usually have them in stock. I have a few of them in my emergency bag for my 73 Honda CL350. They where cheap so I bought a few extra when I restored my old Honda.

Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:42 pm

Very good info thanks ,ill have to check under the tank see if it has acces to that filter

Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:47 pm

If the car had it originally there is a very small hole next to the steering universal shaft that you can see the plug through.

Edit: that would be on RHD cars :oops:

As a rule though all curved screen supers didnt have it though but many have had fuel tank swaps over time.

Heres the one from my 71 super.

Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:15 pm

Here is a link to the good screen at Wolfsburg West.

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111209147A

The cone shaped plastic ones do not work as good they are smaller and don't fit nicely on the actual pick-up tube.

Also if you have the older style tank with screw on fuel outlet tube then you will need the copper o-ring, but if you are like me the gasket kits have some of the copper washers in there, so I had about 10 of them laying in the bottom of the box, I think the are the same as oil plug.

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111209139