type 4 motor fuel shutoff

[chuckpolzin]

hey guys,

just wondering your thoughts on whether or not a fuel shut off for a type 4 bus with dual weber ict carbs is a reasonable add on.

the PO initially installed a cheap plastic shutoff like you would find on a mower / snowmobile because the bus was over fueling and since carb rebuild and fuel pressure regulator add in i think i have that fixed but i am still paranoid about fuel getting past the needle for extended storage etc or perhaps even some use a shutoff for short term purposes.

i know the idealistic option is to install a fuel shutoff relay for safety purposes etc and this may be in the works eventually but thoughts on the benefits or not of having a simple shutoff, if its an okay idea is there a particular type or style i should be looking for that would be safe for the bus system, i know with the plastic one i am asking for trouble.

let me know your thoughts on adding an inline shutoff petcock , and i you have a suggested one that works well let me know , thanks!

[Abscate]

Brass from a marine supply house, with oetiker clamps on the hoses and an annual inspection.

Dont let the shutoff hang on the fuel line by the hoses, secure to frame.
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[chuckpolzin]

what would happen if its just free floating with the lines assuming short segments before and after it ?

[Abscate]

The mass of the valve and the motion of the car wlll fatigue fail the fuel hose
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[Wildthings]

An electric fuel cutoff is a good way to go, that way the fuel is cut off automatically when you turn the key to the OFF position.

[bsairhead]

If your only concern is long term storage just clamp it. Available at any FLAPS and cheap. No extra parts no extra hose clamps.

[chuckpolzin]

wasnt sure how long term is "long term" with these ict 34 carbs, im just paranoid about the fuel leakage long term given that they are so picky about pressurization etc and wearing out the needle, im probably just paranoid.

Prob just need to look into how to wire up an electric fuel shutoff.

[bsairhead]

I ran Weber 34 ict's for 5 years plus on my 68 1600 bus never an issue.

[busdaddy]

Installing an electric solenoid valve is the same work as a manual one aside from a wire or two.
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[bsairhead]

Electric fuel pump?

[chuckpolzin]

yup, cheap inline that is non adjustable but i did put a malpassi regulator in

[airschooled]

I visit a lotta VW owners in the midwest with those carbs, and although they drive really well when set up, most folks will have a leaky needle valve fill their engine with gas at least once before they go FI.

I would do the electronic shutoff, so when (not if) your needle valve(s) leak, you won't get an entire tank of oily gasoline soaking the campground or your driveway.

The engine fire protection/maintenance ease is just a nice bonus, imo.

Robbie
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[chuckpolzin]

if they do leak past the needle or i should say when, is it pretty much guaranteed to have an external leak if its bad or do a lot of em just have a bit of gas smell in the oil, i guess trying to tell if you have a slow / partial needle leak what the symptoms would be ?

[orwell84]

I had the same issue with these carbs as many do. Worked great for awhile, then the gas in crankcase issue. Replaced the float needles and it didn’t help. I did the petcock thing for awhile. Works great until the time you forget. I gave up on them. Here’s a good article I found about solving this problem and setting up these carbs:

https://www.wayoutwestie.com/aircooled-tech/running-weber-icts-on-a-vw-aircooled-engine/

[volkybus]

I had 34 weabers for years on my 74.with no issues..After sitting for years after being junked . 10? I installed them on my 76 Westy (replacement of fI) after a couple of years I experienced crankcase fuel issues leakage.
..I like the idea of a electric shut off valve. I have a brass Manuel one but it's unhandy to crawl under the bus every times (I'm 76).thanks for the cold reality of this problem...Bill

[Wildthings]

A marine anti siphon valve is another way to go. There are several versions of these available.

[volkybus]

I had 34 weabers for years on my 74.with no issues..After sitting for years after being junked . 10? I installed them on my 76 Westy (replacement of fI) after a couple of years I experienced crankcase fuel issues leakage.
..I like the idea of a electric shut off valve. I have a brass Manuel one but it's unhandy to crawl under the bus every times (I'm 76).thanks for the cold reality of this problem...Bill

[bsairhead]

Would putting the fuel pump below the tank and routing the line as high as is possible and then down to a drip loop before the carb/carbs be beneficial? I can envision the bowls draining but would it not stop more than that?

[Wildthings]

[bsairhead]