1 Topic by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Topic: SCARY gas tank problem

I have a '73 super beetle, and it has a scary problem sloshing
gasoline out the gas cap and down the side of the car whenever I
drive. I thought it was from just the result of a full tank, but
even on 1/4 tank, gas somehow collects in the "goose neck" (or
whatever you call the bend in the inlet tube) and from there it will
slosh down the side of the fender, ruining the paint, and wasting
gas. I take off the gas cap, and shine a flashlight there and can
clearly see gas collected in the bend of the metal part (before it
goes down to the rubber hose) just 2 inches down from the where the
gas cap screws on. I have owned 3 other bugs and never had this
problem (but they were not super beetles), please let me know what's
going on. Is there some busted "valve" that's supposed to close
after you remove the gas pump? Is there an unusual "bend" in a hose
somewhere that needs to be straightened? thanks a lot for any
answers you can think of.

2 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: SCARY gas tank problem

Replace the gas cap, it is faulty.
        Yancey

3 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: SCARY gas tank problem

Thanks a ton for the advice, I've read a few of your posts and you
definitely know your bugs...but, is that really all there is to
it??? What about the "pocket" of gas stuck in the elbow of the
"goode neck", that's still going to be there (is gas supposed to
collect there just 2 inches below the cap - is there a tube I should
straighten out - is there a "trap door valve" in the down tube?)?
I'll buy a cap based on your advice, I'm just worried about that
puddle of gas right underneath the gas cap. Thanks again.



Yancey wrote:
>
>
> Replace the gas cap, it is faulty.
>        Yancey
>

4 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: SCARY gas tank problem

Alan, The gas cap is supposed to seal and not leak. Don't
worry about anything else UNTIL you correct THAT problem. You might
find another super beetle and look at the gas tank under that car
and see if things look the same. ASSUMING that some IDIOT hasn't
designed some completely INSANE hose routing on your VW, the gas cap
should solve your problem.
      Yancey

5 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: SCARY gas tank problem

Yancey wrote:
>
>
>  Alan, The gas cap is supposed to seal and not leak. Don't
> worry about anything else UNTIL you correct THAT problem. You might
> find another super beetle and look at the gas tank under that car
> and see if things look the same. ASSUMING that some IDIOT hasn't
> designed some completely INSANE hose routing on your VW, the gas cap
> should solve your problem.
>       Yancey
>
>
> Also, be very carefull with what kind of flashlight you use to
shine down into a gas tank. This is a potential ignition source and
the gasoline vapors are rising up out of there. Switching on an
unsealed flashlight is the most dangerous part. Best to have it on
away from the vapors and bring it in on. Mini- mags are not
intrinsically safe even though sealed against water. I've got a
flashlight that can be used in volatile atmospheres but without that
looking inside with a light is a really scary thing so be careful.
It only takes one time. Scott.