new owner

[vjravula]

Hello

i just purchased a 64 beetle and had some basic questions. first the emergency brake cables are broken, is that a job i could do myself. second i parked my car in the garage and the next day the garage smelled like gas. is this normal.

thanks

[TimGud]

With basic mechanical skills,a 3/4" breaker bar, a 36mm socket,hand tools,and Bentley's official vw service manual you can easily replace the e-brake cables.If there is a gas cap on the car and you smell gas you probably have a leak. First look at the bottom of the gas tank, it can be seen by looking in thruogh the wheel well,and see if it is leaking from the fuel line on the tank to the floorpan.Check the fuel line under the car in the rear from the floorpan to the engine (drivers side),and check the fuel line to the pump and to the carburetor.If none of these lines are leaking the fuel line in the tunnel might be where the leak is,and that would be a difficult job. To check that take the access plate off the front of the tunnel(its in between the front suspensions horizontal torsion bar tubes)and shine a flashlight down there.Beware, VW's with fuel leaks in the engine compartment will catch on fire if not fixed.

[Trayle D. the real oggfk]

You might just need a new seal under your gas cap. or the seal for youre fuelguage sending unit, they are cork and go bad all the time.

[vjravula]

hey guys

thanks for the help. i went home and checked out the areas you said to check. after close inspection of the engine, i found a wet gas spot on the left side of the carburetor, and it seemed to be leaking at a bolt right there. i think it is the carburetor plug?
is this a common problem? and should i just replace the plug and seal?

[TimGud]

The seal comes with the carb kit and the kit is cheap.Its not to hard to rebuild the whole carb,but its easier to replace the seal on the main jet plug.Ive never seen the plug go bad.Just make sure it or the carb is'nt stripped.

[[email protected]]

Another possibility for the fuel leak is that the brass inlet pipe in the top of the carby is leaking, and this CAN look like it's coming from the brass plug in the side of the float bowl (dribbles down the carb).

It's VERY important to check that the brass inlet pipe is secure, as it will spray fuel all over the place if it comes out....years of the rubber fuel line shaking it can eventually loosen it, and a toasted bug is NOT a pretty sight.

Tug on the rubber fuel line attached to the brass inlet pipe - if it happens to come out in your hand - you've found the problem. It's an easy fix. Remove the brass pipe from the car, and place it on a wooden or plastic board. Get a large flat file and use the EDGE to roll over the inlet pipe, making small raised ridges around it - this is called knurling. Only knurl it in the area which will be inside the carby top, and don't damage near the inner end - that's where it seals inside the carb.

The plastic or wooden board won't reflatten the ridges as you roll them - a steel surface might reduce the knurling effect.

Tap the pipe back into the carby until it's fully seated, and it won't leak again.

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

[Anti-]

My 64 caught on fire the way Rob says. It was spectacular, as the decklid happened to be off and here I am going down the road, running on the fuel in the float bowl, while my entire engine is on fire behind me. I made it a quarter mile before I noticed something in my rearview mirror. Flames, and the fuel pump merrily pumping fresh gas all over the mix! Puddles of flaming gas on the road behind me for blocks, just like the batmobile!

I would add to Rob's post to also check the brass tube where it exits the fuel pump. That is also a press fit and is known to come loose.
Finally I suggest you clamp the hose from the pump to the carb. A little extra insurance against the hose coming off and ruining your day.