Re: [T3] 72 Fuel Filler tube

[Jim Adney <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 23 Jul 2009 at 7:19, Bobsnotch@aol.com wrote:

> On my wife's 70 Fastback, the large filler hose was cracked internally. 
> When the fuel tank was filled, that hose would be wet in the middle, and reek 
> of gas. I took it off, and went to NAPA to get a replacement (the only guys 
> in town that had that type of hose). It wasn't cheap either, as NAPA sold it 
> for 30 bucks a foot. After replacing it, the fuel stench was gone. This is 
> the only car I've had that happen to, out of all the other VWs we've had.

I've got good used pieces of that hose if someone ever needs one, but I've 
never had to replace one. VW did an odd thing here when they designed this 
joint. They used a hose that had a liner that did not compress and seal well, 
so they added a sleeve of soft rubber over the "nipple" end of each metal tube 
that sticks into that hose. This sleeve looks like a very wide black rubber 
band, and it MUST be in place and not wrinkled for the joint to seal.  

It's very difficult to get this put together right, so the sleeve often gets 
discarded if the tank is removed for any reason. Then the joint leaks into the 
trunk. Beetles used the same design, so I think replacement sleeves are still 
available from VW, but almost no one knows about them.

I suspect that when VW assembled these at the factory, they installed the gas 
tank first, with the hose already slid into place. Then they slid the filler 
pipe thru the fender wall and into the outer end of that hose. After that, the 
fender could be mounted.

Bob, did the NAPA hose need the sleeve, or did it seal okay without it?

-- 
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI USA

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