Air Cleaner cleaning and restoring

[benntn]

I bought a OEM 72 air-cleaner from the classifieds here. It was complete with all the flaps and vacuum unit etc but it was pretty nasty and needed a good cleaning. Looked like it never been cleaned with 50 years of crud which I thought was cool. But I had to clean it so i used mineral spirit, scrapped it good, sprayed it with break clean, then washed it in degreaser. Then the paint started to come off so I wished I hadn't used the brake cleaner or maybe it was the degreaser, don't know. Anyways i'm going to paint it and I'm soaking the hat in mineral spirits to clean out the inside. My question it, how does the vacuum unit come off? I remove the clip but I can't get it out. I didn't want to get paint on it.

[Matt Wilson]

There is a big bale clip like you describe. You can also remove the plastic bushing clip that holds the other weighted flap in the snorkel. The vacuum-activated flap has a return spring that must be released as well. When you pull the vacuum puck off, the flap should come with it. Be delicate with the old plastic.

If I recall, the little vacuum unit itself is welded together. I had to buy a few of them, since there's a little 'cup' that works the flap arm in a push-pull configuration and the units I kept getting had the bottom of the cup broken off and missing.

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1972 Standard Beetle
1984 Formula Vee Predator project

[BMFBMF]

That long plastic clip that the weight sits in, is probably worn. You can buy new VW ones. I did last year.

Also the end of your shaft the flap sits on looks worn, like mine was, I added some solder and filed back to normal. Should be good for another decade or two ,
Or maybe I used steel epoxy, I can't remember....
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-----Slava Ukraini-----
1971 Stock South African Beetle 1300 : My mom's european "Thin Chick" spec. Completely stock with torsion bar front, swingaxle rear, smooth hubs, single MC, 40 mm shoes, 31PICT3 carb and 5 bolt drums all round, currently Running a 1976 SF:AS engine with the original SF:AD engine overhauled in a box, waiting to go back in one day.

[vamram]

[BMFBMF]

I got it here, probably not much help for folks in the states, but it might help locate it locally.

https://www.cagero.com/en/prod/Aircooled/Beetle/En...1&n=46
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-----Slava Ukraini-----
1971 Stock South African Beetle 1300 : My mom's european "Thin Chick" spec. Completely stock with torsion bar front, swingaxle rear, smooth hubs, single MC, 40 mm shoes, 31PICT3 carb and 5 bolt drums all round, currently Running a 1976 SF:AS engine with the original SF:AD engine overhauled in a box, waiting to go back in one day.

[Mben]

Do a search for “Werk34 vw parts” and on their site search “bearing for air filter flap.” I have ordered parts from them recently and they do ship to the USA. Shipping cost is a consideration but if you can find a few other things you need would drop the cost per item.

[benntn]

Thanks Matt, Sorry for the long delay. I was afraid to remove the plastic clip thinking it might break if I did. I did remove the canister though and it appears I'm missing the spring. After cleaning everything, I taped off the plastic clip and holes and primered and then paint it. I didn't paint the canister. It looks okay buts not perfect. How much should the canister flap move? It doesn't seem to move very much.

[benntn]

Thanks Matt, Sorry for the long delay. I was afraid to remove the plastic clip thinking it might break if I did. I did remove the canister though and it appears I'm missing the spring. After cleaning everything, I taped off the plastic clip and holes and primered and then paint it. I didn't paint the canister. It looks okay buts not perfect. How much should the canister flap move? It doesn't seem to move very much.

[benntn]

I painted the air cleaner a while back ,sorry for the delay, here is a few pictures of it. I didn't take any before pictures. I suck at taking pictures and documenting and then i don't get to finish anything I start. I seem to only work on it an hour at time or get distracted on other things.

[benntn]

Also, before I removed the canister, I noticed a hole on the top of the nose and wonder what that was for. I guess thats where the other end of the spring goes you posted Matt? I guess i need that spring before I can reinstall the canister. The PO had plugged this hole on top on the nose with something but i don't remember what.

[benntn]

Here is a picture of the hole in the nose and a hole the canister. Should I be able to blow or suck through the vaccum port and make the flap move? If not how do u test it? Mine doesn't seem to move either way. Air escapes through the hole in the canister unless I put my finger over it but I can't get the flap to move hardly at all. Also the hole in the nose, is that where one end of spring goes?