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Fri May 18, 2012 12:30 pm

(not in the FAQs)

I saw a mention in another thread about moving a gas filter to a different (non-engine compartment?) location.

What's the deal with that?

BTW my car is a baja'd '65 sunroof, so no enclosed engine compartment (checking out the mechanical systems - tomorrow should be "start the engine day")

Thanx

Fri May 18, 2012 12:44 pm

Fire hazard. It's just to keep it away from electrical stuff. If the filter should happen to spring a leak and shoot gas on the distributor you would have a problem

Fri May 18, 2012 1:19 pm

I put the filter along side the tranny. That way it is protected from damage and fuel is filtered before it goes into the pump. It's a good idea to use a metal filter.

Fri May 18, 2012 2:03 pm

I think we can mostly agree that it's a good idea to have a fuel filter. Given the fact that there exists the slight possibility that it may leak some day, why mount it near heat and spark? Why not mount it on the cool/no spark side of the engine? Simple as that.

Fri May 18, 2012 3:14 pm

I mount a few- one on the out of the fuel tank and one after the gearbox. Not only is the fire hazard thing there with the compartment mount, but it also preheats the fuel and sometimes you can see it bubble in the filters when it gets hot. You want the incoming fuel as cool as possible.

Fri May 18, 2012 3:31 pm

JKing'63 wrote: Fire hazard. It's just to keep it away from electrical stuff. If the filter should happen to spring a leak and shoot gas on the distributor you would have a problem
Fuel filter location has been placed by the factory in many locations and fuel filters between the fuel pump and carburetor were blessed by the factory for us to install as VW mechanic's after VW stopped providing a fuel filter either at the tank, between the carburetor and the pump or directly out of the pump. Here is a few pictures;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1_54bug/page42.jpg http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/8_65bug_1200a/40.jpg
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/60accessories/page3.jpg

D.

Fri May 18, 2012 4:02 pm

I always put it here... don't forget the clamps!

Fri May 18, 2012 4:09 pm

John wrote: I always put it here... don't forget the clamps!

You might want to upgrade to a metal filter. They're a lot safer than plastic and not much more expensive.

Fri May 18, 2012 4:39 pm

...and use fuel injectoin clamps, not worm clamps; the latter chews up the hose jacket and can bring on early leaks or cit it.

A baja is even MORE vulnerable to the engine bay location problems. More jouncing means that fuel/filter mass can pull out the carb fitting more easily. The plastic filter is exposed to UV rays, further weakening it.

And the greater ground clearance of the baja makes it real easy to change out in the tranny location!

Wed May 30, 2012 7:42 am

Thanks everyone

Wed May 30, 2012 8:24 am

Helfen wrote: Fuel filter location has been placed by the factory in many locations and fuel filters between the fuel pump and carburetor were blessed by the factory for us to install as VW mechanic's after VW stopped providing a fuel filter either at the tank, between the carburetor and the pump or directly out of the pump. Here is a few pictures;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1_54bug/page42.jpg http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/8_65bug_1200a/40.jpg
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/60accessories/page3.jpg

D.

The early carbs had a threaded fitting at the carb inlet, and so didn't have the well-known problem of the extra weight of a full fuel filter tugging the press-fit inlet pipe out of the later carb, flooding the engine bay with gasoline.

I doubt VW ever sanctioned installation of plastic aftermarket filters in the engine bay.

Wed May 30, 2012 9:20 am

KTPhil wrote: Helfen wrote: Fuel filter location has been placed by the factory in many locations and fuel filters between the fuel pump and carburetor were blessed by the factory for us to install as VW mechanic's after VW stopped providing a fuel filter either at the tank, between the carburetor and the pump or directly out of the pump. Here is a few pictures;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1_54bug/page42.jpg http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/8_65bug_1200a/40.jpg
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/60accessories/page3.jpg

D.

The early carbs had a threaded fitting at the carb inlet, and so didn't have the well-known problem of the extra weight of a full fuel filter tugging the press-fit inlet pipe out of the later carb, flooding the engine bay with gasoline.

I doubt VW ever sanctioned installation of plastic aftermarket filters in the engine bay.

Standard practice in VW dealerships and also when Volkswagen of America was split into west coast-east coast divisions where I went to VW school. They supplied them at VOA in my tune up class.
How do you explain the pressed in tube in the fuel pump where there is no weight hanging on it at all popping out? That is the place where the tubes pop out most often with or without filters attached. Furthermore, I never saw a technical service bulletin warning against installing those types of filters in any location. BTW there is a lot more swinging going on between the body and the engine sitting out there than the rigid connection between the fuel pump and the carburetor.

D.

Wed May 30, 2012 9:45 am

Our local dealer used to carry the plastic-type filter but later (mid-'70s?)removed those from the parts shelves. When I got my VW, I was going to install one, and I asked why they no longer carried them. The parts counter guy told me they were told by VW not to sell those because of liability for fire danger. He referred me to the local aftermarket part shop (Beck-Arnley, etc) if I really insisted. I used the thin glass type for a few years, and then removed it for good when it, too, started leaking, and when a friend had the fuel pipe pull out of his carb.

So at some point VW figured out it was dangerous and pulled them off the shelves. It's wise for us to do the same, or risk a car-b-que.

This must have happened after your training.

If someone insists they need a filter between the carb and pump, I suggest they use a metal filter, use a clamp to hold it to the shroud, taking the weight off the hose/pipe, and use FI clamps.

But I'd just put the metal next to the tranny, and check it when I check the axle boots...every oil change. Then change it every year or so when I change the brake fluid. You won't get any additional rust in the line between the filter and the carb, and you still have the pump strainer if you have an internal filter failure.

Wed May 30, 2012 10:51 am

KTPhil wrote: Our local dealer used to carry the plastic-type filter but later (mid-'70s?)removed those from the parts shelves. When I got my VW, I was going to install one, and I asked why they no longer carried them. The parts counter guy told me they were told by VW not to sell those because of liability for fire danger. He referred me to the local aftermarket part shop (Beck-Arnley, etc) if I really insisted. I used the thin glass type for a few years, and then removed it for good when it, too, started leaking, and when a friend had the fuel pipe pull out of his carb.

So at some point VW figured out it was dangerous and pulled them off the shelves. It's wise for us to do the same, or risk a car-b-que.

This must have happened after your training.

If someone insists they need a filter between the carb and pump, I suggest they use a metal filter, use a clamp to hold it to the shroud, taking the weight off the hose/pipe, and use FI clamps.

But I'd just put the metal next to the tranny, and check it when I check the axle boots...every oil change. Then change it every year or so when I change the brake fluid. You won't get any additional rust in the line between the filter and the carb, and you still have the pump strainer if you have an internal filter failure.

I went to VW school in 1970-71 and left the dealer and VW in Feb. of 1973. I have never had problems with a fuel filter in that location though, and my own cars a 65 111 owned forty four years, and a 64 113 owned thirty eight years have had them. The weight of them full is next to nothing.
Where I do see a problem is when a filter is installed between the body line and the engine hard line. The flexing that goes on between the two units with a filter will not cause any lines to come off but it will put more weight on the grommet in the tin. I have seen this grommet fail many times and when they fail the hard line vibrates against the tin enough to cut it in two---even without a filter hanging on it! leaking fuel on the head and heat exchanger. This happened to to me as well in my 65. After that incident (no fire thankfully) before I drive off in either car besides check oil, belt, connections, I always reach back and check the line and grommet before the off

D.

Wed May 30, 2012 11:18 am

Quote: The early carbs had a threaded fitting at the carb inlet, and so didn't have the well-known problem of the extra weight of a full fuel filter tugging the press-fit inlet pipe out of the later carb, flooding the engine bay with gasoline.

I doubt VW ever sanctioned installation of plastic aftermarket filters in the engine bay.

Quote: Our local dealer used to carry the plastic-type filter but later (mid-'70s?)removed those from the parts shelves. When I got my VW, I was going to install one, and I asked why they no longer carried them. The parts counter guy told me they were told by VW not to sell those because of liability for fire danger. He referred me to the local aftermarket part shop (Beck-Arnley, etc) if I really insisted. I used the thin glass type for a few years, and then removed it for good when it, too, started leaking, and when a friend had the fuel pipe pull out of his carb.

So at some point VW figured out it was dangerous and pulled them off the shelves. It's wise for us to do the same, or risk a car-b-que.

You just contradicted yourself with these two statements. FYI the dealer acts as a agent of the factory. Back then everything had to go under the stick, even new dealerships for a time there had to be built to factory specifications.

D.

Wed May 30, 2012 3:11 pm

I use a steel filter on the left side of the engine compartment, away from the electrics and the distributor, mounted with rubber padded clamps.

Wed May 30, 2012 4:22 pm

Culito wrote: Helfen wrote: Quote: The early carbs had a threaded fitting at the carb inlet, and so didn't have the well-known problem of the extra weight of a full fuel filter tugging the press-fit inlet pipe out of the later carb, flooding the engine bay with gasoline.

I doubt VW ever sanctioned installation of plastic aftermarket filters in the engine bay.

Quote: Our local dealer used to carry the plastic-type filter but later (mid-'70s?)removed those from the parts shelves. When I got my VW, I was going to install one, and I asked why they no longer carried them. The parts counter guy told me they were told by VW not to sell those because of liability for fire danger. He referred me to the local aftermarket part shop (Beck-Arnley, etc) if I really insisted. I used the thin glass type for a few years, and then removed it for good when it, too, started leaking, and when a friend had the fuel pipe pull out of his carb.

So at some point VW figured out it was dangerous and pulled them off the shelves. It's wise for us to do the same, or risk a car-b-que.

You just contradicted yourself with these two statements. FYI the dealer acts as a agent of the factory. Back then everything had to go under the stick, even new dealerships for a time there had to be built to factory specifications.

D.
Helfen, Please install several plastic filters in your engine compartment so that one day you don't have a reason to come around the Beetle forum anymore.

I use a steel filter on the left side of the engine compartment, away from the electrics and the distributor, mounted with rubber padded clamps.

When they stopped using the built in screen in the pump, they mandated that the inline filter be placed under the car, before the engine. The reason for this was twofold: First, so that in case of filter failure the gasoline would spill out harmlessly under the car, and second, so that both the pump and carb get the benefit of filtered fuel.

Putting the fuel filter in the engine bay, and especially between the pump and the carb just flies in the face of logic. I can't remember if there was an actual bulletin about not doing it this way, but it was pounded into us during training and at every fuel systems and tune up school.

Wed May 30, 2012 5:10 pm

Quote: Putting the fuel filter in the engine bay, and especially between the pump and the carb just flies in the face of logic. I can't remember if there was an actual bulletin about not doing it this way, but it was pounded into us during training and at every fuel systems and tune up school.

Standard practice in VW dealerships and also when Volkswagen of America was split into west coast-east coast divisions where I went to VW school. They supplied them at VOA in my tune up class and at my dealer.
I never saw a TSB to the contrary

Wed May 30, 2012 6:55 pm

Helfen wrote:
Standard practice in VW dealerships and also when Volkswagen of America was split into west coast-east coast divisions where I went to VW school. They supplied them at VOA in my tune up class and at my dealer.
I never saw a TSB to the contrary

you speak very authorative about what had to be, despite your short period with vw...

Helfen wrote: I went to VW school in 1970-71 and left the dealer and VW in Feb. of 1973.

Wed May 30, 2012 7:12 pm

bugninva wrote: Helfen wrote:
Standard practice in VW dealerships and also when Volkswagen of America was split into west coast-east coast divisions where I went to VW school. They supplied them at VOA in my tune up class and at my dealer.
I never saw a TSB to the contrary

you speak very authorative about what had to be, despite your short period with vw...

Helfen wrote: I went to VW school in 1970-71 and left the dealer and VW in Feb. of 1973.

I speak the truth of what WAS going on in VW school and working in a VW dealership at that particular time period. That is what I observed and that is what I just reported. I also spent thirty four years in automotive engineering of a major automotive manufacturer after I left VW.