What is correct length for hose from gas tank to fuel line?

[1964SunRoof]

I recently installed a new gas tank in my 64 Beetle. After adding fuel, I discovered nothing was reaching the fuel pump. The fuel hose going into fuel pump could be removed, with no fuel spilling out. Here is photo of underneath the fuel tank. I guess the hose got bent too severely and that is why it wasn't flowing.

Does anybody know how long the fuel hose should be there. I'd really like to know how long it was out of the factory? I thought I had made it long enough, I could even pull the tank out enough so I could reach in there with things still connected (I have this idea, possibly wrong, that it should be as short as possible). But with this new tank from WW, the outlet seems to hang lower, so I had to put it in and take it out again about 6 times, before I got the outlet pipe at an angle where it wasn't bumping into something and I would be able to unscrew the hose clamp from the left side. I'll have to buy the gasket that the tank is supposed to sit on (hadn't even realized it has one till after I ordered tank). And that might bring the bottom up a little bit.

Also wondering what the length of breather hose (smaller diameter coming off top of tank inlet) should be.

[sjbartnik]

The length doesn't really matter as long as it's long enough to reach the fuel line and isn't kinked.

How much gas do you have in the tank? If you only have a gallon or two, you will probably have to elevate the front end to get gas to flow back to the pump.

Once the pump is primed you'll be good to go.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[Eric&Barb]

About 6 inches more than you have now. Go ahead and make it 8 inches longer.

Get the proper rubber grommet for where the metal line goes into the chassi. Without that water, dirt, sand will get into the chassi, causing corrosion to flourish inside there.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Cusser]

Longer, make a loop. Clamp on BOTH ends.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[runamoc]

it needs to be long enough that you can lift the tank from the front and be able to reach the hose to work on it. To short and you have to take the front wheel off and reach thru and work on it with one hand.
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Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 44 yrs - Plan B: '81 Rabbit Diesel LS Deluxe - Plan C: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs-
VW Wiring = It's just wires

[glutamodo]

I also like to leave that a bit longer too for more wiggle room to R&R the tank.

Now, after having too many hoses with Conti German Cloth Braided hose dry rot on me over the years and spring leaks... (dry climate plus E10 fuel) I decided some time back to replace all my hose with R7 ethanol rated fuel line. I think you can get such hose in cloth braided now, but that wasn't the case when I made that decision, so I just have smooth black hose now. Then, I developed anosmia (no sense of smell), so I am now even more afraid of fuel hose failure. I used to have a keen sense of smell for fuel leaks. I probably still do, if the damn nerve between my nose and my brain was still connected.
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Andy T.


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[1964SunRoof]

[Eric&Barb]

Better to get two meters. That way you should have some on hand in the "spares box" when it is needed!

From a search of the 1958-67 beetle forum for "tank breather hose" and checked the "Titles Only", so it searches only the titles of threads. Not checking that box results in the search showing you every thread that is even just mentioned which can be dozens or even hundreds of results. Better to have it much more focused on the titles on the first search try.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc..._chars=200

Glad to help!

Here is same search without the "Titles Only" box checked:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc..._chars=200
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[vwfreek61]

[richparker]

[Eric&Barb]

[Zundfolge1432]

Wow I’ve learned something new and it seems I’ve been doing it wrong for 40 plus years. I always made them long enough to lift the tank with one hand and get to the master cylinder if need be. I always thought more about keeping the hose from hitting tie Rod.

[Eric&Barb]

[Cusser]

The fuel line from tank to the chassis port in my 1971 Super is the factory one, and not looped. I was under it today checking my tie rod ends and noticed this.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[harrymarlin]

[Cusser]

[wheel607]

[toxicavenger70]

I make them long enough so the area under the tank is serviceable. While ensuring the hose has a nice slow bend to it.

[Zundfolge1432]

[toxicavenger70]