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benson_1331
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 106
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 Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2025 5:19 pm Post subject: plug or unplug... |
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so my 69 square was converted to carbs and I'm about to clean out the fuel tank as I keep having issues with my webers getting clogged from gunk I guess.
anyway, the question is would you plug the original return inlet for the fuel injection system or would you run a Y connection and let that flow? I'd like to prevent any sediment build up in there if possible.
if you plug it what method do you use? I currently have a small section of fuel line plugged with a bolt.
any disadvantages to either method? |
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Multi69s
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Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 5583
Location: Lefty, CA
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benson_1331
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 106
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 9:09 am Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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| I'm running dual IDFs with the stock air filter set up. It does seem to be the idles clogging. what measures can I take to make the filter set up better? |
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luka32
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2013
Posts: 16
Location: Slovenia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 11:17 am Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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| Can we see some pictures?? IDFs with stock filter |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23596
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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| Multi69s wrote: |
| I've had my return line plugged off for over 10 years without an issue. Which jets are getting plugged? If its the idles, look at your air filter setup. |
Yeah, my wife's car was like that (plugged at both ends of the tunnel). It made it easier to go back to FI on that car, as the steel line being plugged kept the dirt and crap out of it. On my old 71 Square I ended up using the return line to feed the carbs on it, since the main line was plugged by something inside it. It was nice having a spare line in the tunnel ready for use. 
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
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benson_1331
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 106
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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Here are my filters.
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23596
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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| benson_1331 wrote: |
Here are my filters.
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Those are not the stock air filter set up, but rather some air filters and partial linkage from CB Performance. They're low profile filters to fit a type 3 or 4 (411-412), due to limited space under the load floor.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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benson_1331
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 106
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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well I merely meant these are the filters that came with my carbs.
regardless, if I'm getting outside gunk in somehow and clogging my idle circuit, where would it come from? |
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eyetzr 
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 1476
Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 3:09 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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Gunk is likely bad fuel or old fuel. Put in some fuel conditioner or stabilizer. Plug the extra line off on both ends. As Bobnotch said you may need it later.
I run 2 fuel filters, one at the tank and one before the carbs. Ran it like that until I wasn't seeing any debris from the tank or the lines. (Long term project)
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I think he meant "rare", as in "not well-done" |
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Multi69s
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 5583
Location: Lefty, CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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Before I got bit by the side by side bug, I was heavy into off roading VWs for many, many years, from rails to Bajas. We learned that Idle jets do not get plugged from fuel, but dirt, dust, crap getting through the air filters. The "dirt" usually passes through where the filter element contacts the top plate or the carbs bottom plate. It then dances around inside the air filter area until an Idle jet sucks it in. As you probably know, the Idle jet orifice is "extremely" small, so even part of the air filter element can clog one.
It appears that you are missing an air cleaner hold down bolt, this is causing the element to be crushed down on one side only. This is the first thing that I would fix.
Second thing that I would recommend is to get new air filter elements. Being deformed like they are can cause two things.
1. Improper sealing at the top and bottom of the elements.
2. The structure of the paper / cloth element material has been compromised.
When the engine is climbing higher in the RPM range, it pulls in huge amounts of air. This can pull fragments from a compromised element loose, which can clog an idle jet.
If you still have problems after you address the first two items, you can put a small amount of grease around the top and bottom sealing services of the element. Many times the air filter assemblies that we purchase are not completely square / flat.
I would get this fixed as soon as possible, not only are you sucking in material to clog the idle jets, but probably shortening the lifespan of the engine.
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69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
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AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight= |
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benson_1331
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 106
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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| Multi69s wrote: |
Before I got bit by the side by side bug, I was heavy into off roading VWs for many, many years, from rails to Bajas. We learned that Idle jets do not get plugged from fuel, but dirt, dust, crap getting through the air filters. The "dirt" usually passes through where the filter element contacts the top plate or the carbs bottom plate. It then dances around inside the air filter area until an Idle jet sucks it in. As you probably know, the Idle jet orifice is "extremely" small, so even part of the air filter element can clog one.
It appears that you are missing an air cleaner hold down bolt, this is causing the element to be crushed down on one side only. This is the first thing that I would fix.
Second thing that I would recommend is to get new air filter elements. Being deformed like they are can cause two things.
1. Improper sealing at the top and bottom of the elements.
2. The structure of the paper / cloth element material has been compromised.
When the engine is climbing higher in the RPM range, it pulls in huge amounts of air. This can pull fragments from a compromised element loose, which can clog an idle jet.
If you still have problems after you address the first two items, you can put a small amount of grease around the top and bottom sealing services of the element. Many times the air filter assemblies that we purchase are not completely square / flat.
I would get this fixed as soon as possible, not only are you sucking in material to clog the idle jets, but probably shortening the lifespan of the engine. |
Copy that! appreciate the input
getting back to plugging the OG fuel injection inlet under the tank. what method do you all use for this? is a vacuum plug a good option? I don't love the way it's currently done with a bit of fuel hose and a bolt at the end.
Last edited by benson_1331 on Tue Nov 18, 2025 6:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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benson_1331
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 106
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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| eyetzr wrote: |
Gunk is likely bad fuel or old fuel. Put in some fuel conditioner or stabilizer. Plug the extra line off on both ends. As Bobnotch said you may need it later.
I run 2 fuel filters, one at the tank and one before the carbs. Ran it like that until I wasn't seeing any debris from the tank or the lines. (Long term project) |
the tank is definitely dirty. a muriatic bath is on the to do list for the upcoming weekend to address this. replacing fuel lines as well. |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23596
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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| benson_1331 wrote: |
getting back to plugging the OG fuel injection inlet under the tank. what method do you all use for this? is a vacuum plug a good option? I don't love the way it's currently done with a bit of fuel hose and a bolt at the end. |
I normally use a short piece of new 5/16ths fuel injection hose and a bolt with some shank material left on it so the clamp has something to grab onto besides threads. I understand you don't want that, but I've found using new FI hose will last 10+ years which is exactly what I'm after. Those little vacuum hose nipple caps aren't really made to be having fuel inside the cup, and WILL leak after a year or two (different kind of rubber). Ask Ray, he'll explain why you shouldn't use them. I hope this helps.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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benson_1331
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 106
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: plug or unplug... |
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| Bobnotch wrote: |
| benson_1331 wrote: |
getting back to plugging the OG fuel injection inlet under the tank. what method do you all use for this? is a vacuum plug a good option? I don't love the way it's currently done with a bit of fuel hose and a bolt at the end. |
I normally use a short piece of new 5/16ths fuel injection hose and a bolt with some shank material left on it so the clamp has something to grab onto besides threads. I understand you don't want that, but I've found using new FI hose will last 10+ years which is exactly what I'm after. Those little vacuum hose nipple caps aren't really made to be having fuel inside the cup, and WILL leak after a year or two (different kind of rubber). Ask Ray, he'll explain why you shouldn't use them. I hope this helps. |
no that's helpful. hadn't thought about using a bolt with some shank for the clamp to grab. Thanks |
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