1971 Fuel Vaopr Line routing/photos

[cj2a]

Does anyone who has a 71 Super Beetle still have the original vapor lines present? I am trying to figure out how the front steel line runs. I see 2 different ways where the line connects to the long line running under the passenger side frame. One has a 90 degree bend before it meets up with the cloth tube. Another photo shows the cloth tube going 90 degrees to meet up with the steel line.

Which one would be correct from the factory?

Also, on the top side, there is a plastic tube coming from the steel tube that runs underneath the cowl. Does the plastic tube go through the holes where the brake line go through the body to the master cylinder? Or does the steel line come up with those steel brake lines and the plastic tube connects to this? Does anyone have theirs apart (or has a parts car) so that area could be photographed? I really would like to see how that line runs. (Or have one taken off the car to show how it was bent.) Thanks!

Todd
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1965 Beetle
1971 Super Beetle

[BugMan114]

Mine is like the first pic on my 72 super. i personally would NOT do it like the second pic, because if that rubber line kinks, and it create a vacuum that will either stop gas flow, or implode your gas tank.
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1974 Super Beetle: Custom resto in progress
1972 Super Beetle: Daily Driver
1971 Std. Beetle w/ 1929 Mercedes Benz Gazelle kit
1960 Baja Bug
1969 Baja Bug
Sand Rail- Homemade
Sand Rail- FUBAR

Aircooled Airheads

Why the hell do they call it a gland nut. its obviously a big fat bolt!!!

[cj2a]

Thanks. How is the other end of this line as it is coming up through the area where the brake lines run? Is it steel coming up or is the plastic line running down through there? Thanks.

Todd
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1965 Beetle
1971 Super Beetle

[Tim Donahoe]

On my '74 Super, mine is like your second photo. In fact, that braided line is original and intact. My whole expansion-chamber/charcoal filter system is in good order (it took a while).

I don't think you can blow up anything if that braided line cracks. It carrys fumes--not fuel.

Anyway, from that braided line, I have a plastic line going over toward my brake-fluid reservoir--if I remember correctly. Metal brake line would do as a substitute.

Tim

[cj2a]

Thanks Tim. When you get a chance, would it be possible to get a photo of this? Does the braided hose have any clamps? Thanks!

Todd
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1965 Beetle
1971 Super Beetle

[mascrappo]

[cj2a]

Thanks guys. If you guys could take some photos when you get a chance, I would appreciate it.

The reason I ask is I seem to see 2 ways the vapor line is run. For the other side where it comes up where the brake lines run down to the master cylinder, I see photos of the metal line coming up into the trunk.

On a front clip that I have, the plastic line runs down into the master cylinder area and hooks up with the front metal vapor line. It has a clamp on it.

The other question I have is whether or not there should be a clamp on the plastic hose that runs to the metal line that runs under the cowl. And whether or not the plastic hose runs over the hinge, or curves before the hinge. I see 2 ways.

Thanks guys!
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1965 Beetle
1971 Super Beetle

[Tim Donahoe]

On my 1974 Super, the upper driver-side male fitting on the expansion chamber has the plastic hose that fits under the cowl and runs over toward the driver-side hinge. The clear hose connected to this plastic cowl conduit does NOT go over the hinge, but curves down before it (so the hinge will not scrape it when opening and closing the hood).

Then this plastic line goes through the same hole as the master cylinder lines and connects to a metal line that veers toward the passenger-side of the car, eventually meeting up with that curved, braided hose in your second pic in your original set of pics.

Actually, it makes no difference how you route this line under the gas tank, as long as it doesn't interfer with other moving parts of the car. It's merely a conduit for fumes, after all. The main point is to route the lower line so that it connects to the braided hose at the front corner of your pan. Use brake line. Bend it with a brake-line bender. You may just use 5mm German fuel line to replace this entire metal line--as long as you mount it well (use rubber-lined clamps, like they have at any ACE Hardware)--and don't kink it. Although, if you do use fuel hose to replace the metal line, you at least, have to have a small metal-line to connect this hose to the hose that wraps around your front pan.

No clamp is necessary if the fit is tight. Although, I used clamps at the expansion-chamber male ends. I also used regular 5 mm German fuel line for all these connections. It's a good fit and can stand up to fuel, so fumes will not be a problem.

Tim

[mascrappo]

I cannot top Tim on his descriptions, only add to them. I did not use 5mm, too big. My car vapor system was totally original and intact when I bought it, so I had something to go by including rubber hose routing. I ordered German 3.5mm fuel line off Ebay, it is inexpensive and plentiful, as it is used on modern BMW's and Mercedes. Here is an example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5mm-Diesel-Fuel-Injector...mp;vxp=mtr

[mascrappo]

Here is a diagram for you.

[mascrappo]

My 73 Super looks just like your blue pic, routed over the hinge, plastic tubing clamped to plastic cowl line. I used the original hoses to determine correct length and routed them over the hinge.

Follow the diagram and it will be fine.

[cj2a]

Thanks guys. I still trying to figure out what the original hose was. I just wanted to figure out how to run it like the factory did. According to the parts book, the flexible hose is shown as part number N 20 358 1. It is the same part number as the plastic hose that goes from the metal line under the cowl to the front vapor line. For the front metal vapor line, you can see in the second photo of the second batch of photos, the end of the front metal hose is bent and rotted off, so I really couldn't tell how it was shaped near where it meets up with the long line running under the car. The parts book diagram makes the metal like look like there is a lot of bends in it:

It is the one marked 10. The line on the front clip I have looks like it is a rather simple straight line with a few slight bends.

I do have another question, what does it look like on the rear end of the long line? In the parts book, it shows another flexible hose that connects to the curved line under the rear fender. Not sure how the metal end of the long line is shaped and where it stops.

The parts book says there are 6 clips that hold the curved line under the fender. Are they all mounted consecutively around the bolt holes?

In the photo, the metal line seems to extend to the bolt hole marked 7 in the photo.

Is the hose marked 21 in the parts book plastic or rubber? It also has the same part number as the plastic hose that goes from the metal line under the cowl to the front vapor line.

Thanks again!

Todd
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1965 Beetle
1971 Super Beetle

[cj2a]

I wonder if there was a change in the 1973 and later Super Beetles on how the flexible line went from the long line under the car to the front metal vapor line. The parts book diagram with all the bends would make it seem like it was like the first picture in my original post. Does anyone with a 1971 or 1972 Super Beetle have the original lines and could take a photo of this? Thanks!

Todd.
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1965 Beetle
1971 Super Beetle

[mascrappo]

There could be subtle differences. My 21 hose was originally fabric covered rubber when I replaced it.

[Tim Donahoe]

I don't think the routing makes any difference, considering the year bug you have. The thing is, you want to get the line routed from the front to the back--without it getting damaged in everyday driving.

As far as the wheel-well routing, I had (originally) a black flexible hose that served that purpose. It was connected to the blue rigid plastic tube that ran the passenger-length of the car, in the same way as it was connected by a short piece of braided hose at the front curve of the pan. The blue plastic tube was stock and made of a hard plastic. Some have been metal tubes.

It had a curve to it that curved as it entered the front section of the wheel well. Then, the black rubber hose was attached to this--and it ran along the inner part of the fender, being clasped by bendable tabs that were attached to each fender bolt. Once the black rubber hose ran out, it hooked to the charcoal cannister.

Originally, this wheel-well black rubber hose may have been some rigid type of conduit--metal or plastic--and at its end, a flexable tube connected it to the charcoal cannister. In this case, a short piece of braided hose connected the rigid line that ran the length of the car, to the rigid wheel-well conduit (like the short piece of braided hose that connects the rigid conduits up at the front of the car).

I simply bent back the wheel-well fender bolt tabs and installed new flexible hose, connecting one end to the rigid pipe that came from under the car, to the charcoal cannister. Then I bent the tabs back up.

If you're missing these tabs, I've seen them in The Samba Classifieds. Also, they look easy to make. Just cut some retangles of sheet metal, drill a hole at one end for the fender bolts, and attach them at each bolt. Run your hose in the wheel well and bend the tabs up to ensnare the conduit. they're like the metal tabs that ensnare our wiring to the body.

The only place I'd run rigid tubing is under the pan, from the small braided hose when it wraps around the front pan, until it gets to the wheel well.

Tim

[cj2a]

Thanks Tim. I have collected the brackets for both the rear wheel well and the ones under the body. I understand how the system is supposed to work. I want to duplicate how the factory routed and shaped the lines. I am hoping to find someone who might still have the original lines present who can take some photos so I can bend the steel lines to the correct shape. I remember ripping out this system in 1980-1981. Wish I kept it!

Todd
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1965 Beetle
1971 Super Beetle

[hsosa1]

i can take.pics of which areas?
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Just Cruzin Sur Califas VW Car Club est♤1998

[cj2a]

I am looking for photos:

1) where the long line running under the car meets the front vapor line.
2) Where the long line meets the curved vapor line in the rear wheel well.
3) The flexible line that attaches to the charcoal canister.
4) The plastic line that goes from the metal line under the cowl to the hole where the brake lines go down to the master cylinder.

Thanks!

Todd
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1965 Beetle
1971 Super Beetle

[Juanito84]

I thought this was helpful.

http://www.vwtrendsweb.com/tech/0411vwt_1971_beetle_super_project_part_16/
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If a water cooled engine cools its water with air, isn't it just an overcomplicated air cooled engine?

[Rene60]

My 71 SB is like the second picture. My vapor recovery system is still in the car, I'm going to replace all the lines soon.