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73 dsgb Samba Member
Joined: October 31, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: ga
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Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:25 pm Post subject: fuel line clogged |
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I am having fuel issues and of course it is the line under center tunnel.I spent hours today with carb cleaner and air compressor working from both ends.I don't feel I made any progress.I searched post and read about trying to push wire through.I am gonna try that tomorrow.Does anyone know of anything else to try?If I can't get it I feel my only other option is run a new line on outside of tunnel. |
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1607 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: fuel line clogged |
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I did the wire push though method on a Porsche kit car. I used .041 stainless steel safety wire that I had [ have ] and excess of.
I guess you would use the shift rod access panels if you wanted to route a new steel line through the tunnel. You would probably need to remove the shifter assy and the shift rod and maybe even the parking brake lever. |
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andk5591 Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16803 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:39 am Post subject: Re: fuel line clogged |
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I have snaked the fuel line on several cars. Try to bend the fuel line as straight as possible by the axle. Start with a solid wire from the engine end. I am pretty sure the last time I chucked it in a drill but kept the drill speed slow. You don't want to drill through the line. If you feel that you broke through the crap, keep going because there is probably more. I dis teh same thing from the tank side
Then I am sure I used a wire cable. I think a clutch cable is a little too big, but you can get wire rope at someplace like Lowes. Work it in by hand (rotating so it does not unwind) and then when you get to the clog, cut it off about a foot from there and same thing, chuck it in a drill, rotating so it does not unwind. If you do both ends, you only need a wire rope long enough to get a little over half way. I also use several different lengths if needed.
Work it back and forth until you feel you got it - then blow it out. Would then run something through it to test flow and to help flush it out (gas, kerosene or what ever). I would put a fuel filter between the main line and the fuel pump to catch the crap that will gradually wash out for a while. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
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 - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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benCarn Samba Member

Joined: August 05, 2009 Posts: 578 Location: El Paso, Tx
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: fuel line clogged |
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73 dsgb wrote: |
I am having fuel issues and of course it is the line under center tunnel.I spent hours today with carb cleaner and air compressor working from both ends.I don't feel I made any progress.I searched post and read about trying to push wire through.I am gonna try that tomorrow.Does anyone know of anything else to try?If I can't get it I feel my only other option is run a new line on outside of tunnel. |
I did this just a few weeks ago. Go to lowes or home depot and get some of that cable by the foot. Run that through with the carb cleaner and the compressed air alternating between them. It helps if you have someone on the other end who can grab the wire and do a little tug and pull action to help clean it out. After alternating between the cable and air/carb cleaner, my line was clean. I don't remember the thickness of the cable I got but it fit perfectly. I found the area that would bind was at the front of the car where the first bend in the hard fuel line. I sprayed the carb cleaner from both sides, but primarily worked from the front of the car. Put a bucket or something to catch the carb cleaner as it sprays out the back of the line. Also might wanna wrap a cloth around the fuel line in the rear when you're using the compressed air as it will spray carb cleaner everywhere.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/AWR-1-Ft-3-8-in-Weldless-Stainless-Steel-Metal-Cable-By-the-Foot/4774103 _________________ My 74 std bug rebuild (in progress)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4050506#4050506 |
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andk5591 Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16803 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: fuel line clogged |
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Quote: |
Also might wanna wrap a cloth around the fuel line in the rear when you're using the compressed air as it will spray carb cleaner everywhere. |
VERY good advice. Its nice to see what comes out. I take my old white socks to the shop for that purpose (plus they are great for plugging intake ports.) _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
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 - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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73 dsgb Samba Member
Joined: October 31, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: ga
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 10:53 am Post subject: Re: fuel line clogged |
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Well I been fighting fuel line for two days.I cannot get wire to come out back of line.I think I got about a foot left.I am gonna put some acetone in line and let it sit.What little bit I did pull out looked like a tar substance. I am gonna keep on it because I am really not wanting to run another line. |
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1607 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 11:07 am Post subject: Re: fuel line clogged |
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You need some of the serious carb clean like comes in the 1 gallon cans with a dip basket. Don't let it sit in rubber hose for more than 10 mins or so. |
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1607 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 11:07 am Post subject: Re: fuel line clogged |
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and don't spill it on any painted surface !! |
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73 dsgb Samba Member
Joined: October 31, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: ga
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Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: fuel line clogged |
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Finally!I filled both ends up with acetone and left over night.The next morning went back to work with cable.I held cable with pliers and finally hammered it out other end.The cable was black ,I cleaned cable and worked back and forth.Any way it can be done but it is an aggravating job.Thanls for the help everyone. |
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