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OldBeetles Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2024 Posts: 61 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2024 7:47 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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Eric&Barb wrote: |
OldBeetles wrote: |
Thanks again to everybody here for all the advice on this. I would otherwise have had no clue that the non vented cap could be so problematic |
Well that is why many of us old timers are here on this very website! Personally Barb&I owe a huge debt to the previous old timers that helped us out back in the 1980 thru 1990s back way before the internet was a big thing. By now most of those folks have gone on to the VW wrecking yard in the sky. Wish we could go back in time and thank them one and all. Figure next best thing is to try to help any other VW owners, doubly so for the next newbie. We just ask that if you can down the road, pass it on forward. Even if it is not a VW related problem, the world needs more constructive dialogue.
Do not feel that you can not ask questions here about a part you are thinking about buying before you do so, especially if it is not a stock part. We have made some majorly bad VW decisions in the past and paid for it dearly later in time and $$$. If we can help will be happy to, others here will fill in when we can not or forget to mention a detail we skipped over. That is the beauty of the forums here. |
Very much appreciated! And although I owned a few Beetles back in the '80s, it's been many years before the one I currently own since I had one so forgot much of what I knew. Plus, I always had the 40 horse (or later) Beetles back then so the 36 horse I have now is different in many ways, I am learning! |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 25472 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2024 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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OldBeetles wrote: |
Thanks again to everybody here for all the advice on this. I would otherwise have had no clue that the non vented cap could be so problematic |
Well that is why many of us old timers are here on this very website! Personally Barb&I owe a huge debt to the previous old timers that helped us out back in the 1980 thru 1990s back way before the internet was a big thing. By now most of those folks have gone on to the VW wrecking yard in the sky. Wish we could go back in time and thank them one and all. Figure next best thing is to try to help any other VW owners, doubly so for the next newbie. We just ask that if you can down the road, pass it on forward. Even if it is not a VW related problem, the world needs more constructive dialogue.
Do not feel that you can not ask questions here about a part you are thinking about buying before you do so, especially if it is not a stock part. We have made some majorly bad VW decisions in the past and paid for it dearly later in time and $$$. If we can help will be happy to, others here will fill in when we can not or forget to mention a detail we skipped over. That is the beauty of the forums here. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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OldBeetles Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2024 Posts: 61 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:22 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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Eric&Barb wrote: |
OldBeetles wrote: |
Update: In the '60-61 thread someone showed me the exact tank mine has. I ordered a cap from them, and that solved the issue of fumes. Apparently the old cap I had was stripped out. New one seals great. |
Do beware, if you remove the new cap and notice a hiss, that means the cap is not vented. This can cause:
1. That will cause a build up of gas/air pressure in hot weather which will push fuel thru the carb when parked, flooding the engine with fuel and thinning out or even flooding the sump oil. Too much fluid in the sump can even flood the engine enough that it gets past the rings of one or more pistons and at start up hydro-lock, possibly even bending up a piston rod.
2. While driving the fuel being sucked out of the tank can no longer be replaced with air from outside the tank causing a vacuum to build up. This can even cause fuel starvation to the engine, enough to shut it down.
3. Due to the two forces flexing the tank walls in/outward over and over, sooner or later the steel will fracture and leak fuel. |
I just replaced the cap with the vented one and when I removed the non-vented one, it did exactly like you said in #2, and I hadn't driven it very far.
Thanks again to everybody here for all the advice on this. I would otherwise have had no clue that the non vented cap could be so problematic |
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OldBeetles Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2024 Posts: 61 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2024 4:04 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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Eric&Barb wrote: |
OldBeetles wrote: |
This is the one I got:
1 × C24-211-201-551 - 111115485 - NON-VENTED GAS CAP 60MM - BUS 55-67 - ALSO FITS BEETLE/BUS 60MM AFTERMARKET FUEL TANKS - ALSO FIT ALL STOCK OIL FILLERS FROM 1961-1974 - PLEASE NOTE: THIS CAP IS NON-VENTED - SOLD EACH
Seems like I may need to rethink this choice. |
Replace ASAP!! |
I have the vented one on order |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 25472 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2024 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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OldBeetles wrote: |
This is the one I got:
1 × C24-211-201-551 - 111115485 - NON-VENTED GAS CAP 60MM - BUS 55-67 - ALSO FITS BEETLE/BUS 60MM AFTERMARKET FUEL TANKS - ALSO FIT ALL STOCK OIL FILLERS FROM 1961-1974 - PLEASE NOTE: THIS CAP IS NON-VENTED - SOLD EACH
Seems like I may need to rethink this choice. |
Replace ASAP!! _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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OldBeetles Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2024 Posts: 61 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2024 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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RUNKLE wrote: |
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OldBeetles wrote: |
Interesting notes, thanks for posting everybody! I did in fact buy the cip1 cap for the tank that's in my car. I am not sure if it is pressure vented or not, but will check when the weather starts getting hot again. Worst case I can always manually release the pressure once in a while. |
So you didn’t get the vented cap?… every “once in a while” is going to happen sooner than you think.
Vented cap : https://www2.cip1.com/vwc-211-201-551/?srsltid=Afm...N-cLbzNg5r
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This is the one I got:
1 × C24-211-201-551 - 111115485 - NON-VENTED GAS CAP 60MM - BUS 55-67 - ALSO FITS BEETLE/BUS 60MM AFTERMARKET FUEL TANKS - ALSO FIT ALL STOCK OIL FILLERS FROM 1961-1974 - PLEASE NOTE: THIS CAP IS NON-VENTED - SOLD EACH
Seems like I may need to rethink this choice. |
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RUNKLE Samba Member

Joined: July 19, 2014 Posts: 5344
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 8:39 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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OldBeetles wrote: |
Interesting notes, thanks for posting everybody! I did in fact buy the cip1 cap for the tank that's in my car. I am not sure if it is pressure vented or not, but will check when the weather starts getting hot again. Worst case I can always manually release the pressure once in a while. |
So you didn’t get the vented cap?… every “once in a while” is going to happen sooner than you think.
Vented cap : https://www2.cip1.com/vwc-211-201-551/?srsltid=Afm...N-cLbzNg5r
. _________________ Type 1
1950 Standard - 1959 Ragtop - 1961 Ragtop two fold - 1964 Sunroof
Type 3
1968 Squareback |
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OldBeetles Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2024 Posts: 61 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2024 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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Interesting notes, thanks for posting everybody! I did in fact buy the cip1 cap for the tank that's in my car. I am not sure if it is pressure vented or not, but will check when the weather starts getting hot again. Worst case I can always manually release the pressure once in a while. |
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RUNKLE Samba Member

Joined: July 19, 2014 Posts: 5344
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2024 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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EVfun wrote: |
Interesting. It looks like he may have this gas cap. I see it is not vented, like the stock 70mm Bug gas cap. Having either a vented gas tank or a vented gas cap is important. Bugs up through '60 did not come with a vented tank, so if that tank is a reproduction of the '52-'53 tank (as it appears) then the tank isn't vented.
The whole fuel smell thing is normal for garaged Bugs through '67 and outdoor stored Bugs through '60. (and many old American cars too). Unless or until the gas tank is vented to a charcoal canister the tank fumes are released to the air. |
The image of the tank from his gallery is not of the new cap, it is of the cap he purchased not knowing he had a much earlier tank. From my understanding in regards to his last post above, he now has the correct cap.
. _________________ Type 1
1950 Standard - 1959 Ragtop - 1961 Ragtop two fold - 1964 Sunroof
Type 3
1968 Squareback |
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EVfun  Samba Member

Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5892 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2024 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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RUNKLE wrote: |
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EVfun wrote: |
The cap he has on there now looks like a '61-'67 style cap. Those caps are sealed. Those tanks have a separate vent line. If he installed one of those caps on an unvented aftermarket gas tank he could run into trouble, either by pressurizing the tank in hot weather and flooding the engine, or driving long enough to pull a vacuum on the tank and starve the engine of fuel. |
‘61-‘67 cap will not fit - the neck on that tank is 60mm.
. |
Interesting. It looks like he may have this gas cap. I see it is not vented, like the stock 70mm Bug gas cap. Having either a vented gas tank or a vented gas cap is important. Bugs up through '60 did not come with a vented tank, so if that tank is a reproduction of the '52-'53 tank (as it appears) then the tank isn't vented.
The whole fuel smell thing is normal for garaged Bugs through '67 and outdoor stored Bugs through '60. (and many old American cars too). Unless or until the gas tank is vented to a charcoal canister the tank fumes are released to the air. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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RUNKLE Samba Member

Joined: July 19, 2014 Posts: 5344
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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EVfun wrote: |
The cap he has on there now looks like a '61-'67 style cap. Those caps are sealed. Those tanks have a separate vent line. If he installed one of those caps on an unvented aftermarket gas tank he could run into trouble, either by pressurizing the tank in hot weather and flooding the engine, or driving long enough to pull a vacuum on the tank and starve the engine of fuel. |
‘61-‘67 cap will not fit - the neck on that tank is 60mm.
. _________________ Type 1
1950 Standard - 1959 Ragtop - 1961 Ragtop two fold - 1964 Sunroof
Type 3
1968 Squareback |
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EVfun  Samba Member

Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5892 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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I wasn't IN that thread (I don't read every post on theSamba). The cap he has on there now looks like a '61-'67 style cap. Those caps are sealed. Those tanks have a separate vent line. If he installed one of those caps on an unvented aftermarket gas tank he could run into trouble, either by pressurizing the tank in hot weather and flooding the engine, or driving long enough to pull a vacuum on the tank and starve the engine of fuel. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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RUNKLE Samba Member

Joined: July 19, 2014 Posts: 5344
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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EVfun wrote: |
This is not a '60 tank: |
He knows that, and we’ve been through this already - he’s going to use the tank anyway, why not, it’s new.
RUNKLE wrote: |
That’s a 60mm small neck tank - it’s factory, but wrong for your year. That tank was used intermittently from late 1952 to 1955, and usually associated with zwitter model 1952 to 1953. They are unusual - I’m going to stop short of calling them rare, as when the word rare is introduced suddenly things become gold plated. That tank looks oddly clean - either someone did a nice restoration or it’s a reproduction… I don’t think the small neck tanks are being reproduced.
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OldBeetles wrote: |
Thanks, that's great information. I had no idea it was the wrong tank and no idea where it came from.
Looks like the tank is either restored or a reproduction. The inside of the tank is pristine as well. |
RUNKLE wrote: |
I did a little Go Ogling, and yes, they do reproduce the small neck tank… so what’s the fun in that.
https://www2.cip1.com/VWC-111-201-075-B/?gad_sourc...gKEyvD_BwE
If it’s clean inside like you said, and given the outward appearance, I would say that tank is a reproduction. The correct tank would be the hump tank that House posted. |
OldBeetles wrote: |
Looks like you found my exact tank! Interesting that whoever bought it went with that particular tank..
Side note, I just ordered the cap from that site. Mine seems to have a nit of a leak. |
Link to thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10311200&highlight=#10311200
. _________________ Type 1
1950 Standard - 1959 Ragtop - 1961 Ragtop two fold - 1964 Sunroof
Type 3
1968 Squareback |
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56Cabrio Samba Member

Joined: May 22, 2008 Posts: 2003 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
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zerotofifty Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003 Posts: 3093
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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EVfun wrote: |
OldBeetles wrote: |
Update: In the '60-61 thread someone showed me the exact tank mine has. I ordered a cap from them, and that solved the issue of fumes. Apparently the old cap I had was stripped out. New one seals great. |
This is not a '60 tank:
A '57-'60 tank looks like this:
The photo was posted by ATLvolksfan
I also notice in this photo the gas cap extension setup that provided a sealed and vented tank. Normally the 1960 and older Bugs run a vented gas cap and they do tend to have a bit of a gas smell because of that. The sealed and vented topper should move the gas smell out of the trunk area to an open vent behind the tire, like on 1961 through 1967 Bugs. If you park it in a garage you will likely still notice a bit of gas smell. This is pretty much true for all Bugs (and all other cars) too old to have a charcoal can vapor recovery system. |
My 58 Bug was that blue color, I sure miss that car, it was a real peach. loved it. |
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EVfun  Samba Member

Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5892 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 11:29 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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OldBeetles wrote: |
Update: In the '60-61 thread someone showed me the exact tank mine has. I ordered a cap from them, and that solved the issue of fumes. Apparently the old cap I had was stripped out. New one seals great. |
This is not a '60 tank:
A '57-'60 tank looks like this:
The photo was posted by ATLvolksfan
I also notice in this photo the gas cap extension setup that provided a sealed and vented tank. Normally the 1960 and older Bugs run a vented gas cap and they do tend to have a bit of a gas smell because of that. The sealed and vented topper should move the gas smell out of the trunk area to an open vent behind the tire, like on 1961 through 1967 Bugs. If you park it in a garage you will likely still notice a bit of gas smell. This is pretty much true for all Bugs (and all other cars) too old to have a charcoal can vapor recovery system. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 25472 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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OldBeetles wrote: |
Update: In the '60-61 thread someone showed me the exact tank mine has. I ordered a cap from them, and that solved the issue of fumes. Apparently the old cap I had was stripped out. New one seals great. |
Do beware, if you remove the new cap and notice a hiss, that means the cap is not vented. This can cause:
1. That will cause a build up of gas/air pressure in hot weather which will push fuel thru the carb when parked, flooding the engine with fuel and thinning out or even flooding the sump oil. Too much fluid in the sump can even flood the engine enough that it gets past the rings of one or more pistons and at start up hydro-lock, possibly even bending up a piston rod.
2. While driving the fuel being sucked out of the tank can no longer be replaced with air from outside the tank causing a vacuum to build up. This can even cause fuel starvation to the engine, enough to shut it down.
3. Due to the two forces flexing the tank walls in/outward over and over, sooner or later the steel will fracture and leak fuel. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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OldBeetles Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2024 Posts: 61 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 7:36 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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Update: In the '60-61 thread someone showed me the exact tank mine has. I ordered a cap from them, and that solved the issue of fumes. Apparently the old cap I had was stripped out. New one seals great. |
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OldBeetles Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2024 Posts: 61 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2024 8:50 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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Great idea, thanks! |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 25472 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 8:21 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Cap on a '60 |
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OldBeetles wrote: |
Thanks everybody! I was hoping that the fume thing was not normal as I am sensitive to the fumes. It's not so bad when driving with the windows open, but still there. |
There you go!!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2713149 _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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