New '79 Superbeetle. Gas smell/low idle.

Hi, all. I recently got (as a gift -- pesky wife!) a super-duper cool '79 Superbeetle. I'm really psyched, but there are a few things that need attention. While I could take a stab at it, I figured I'd ask the pros on here, first, before getting up to my elbows in grease:

My idle starts out really high (no tach, so I can't say *how* high, but really high). After driving, say, 30 miles, it gets really low -- to the point where I stall out at stop lights. What might I want to tweak?

It smells like gas. I remember beetles smelling a bit like gas, but, with a 2/3 full tank, it still smells a *lot* like gas (inside the car, at least). Where might I look for a leak? Note that I haven't seen any gas on the ground, so it's not a big leak, I don't think.

Thanks!

-Ken

Reply to
ken
Loading thread data ...

Fuel odors most likely from up front. Your year may have all or some of the items shown here:

formatting link
Does the car have the original fuel injection? Small vacuum leaks can be responsible for erratic speeds. There is also an Aux Air Regulator which can affect it.

You will want to purchase the Bentley Official Manual for '70 thru '79.

There is some FI info at:

formatting link
and more basic FI elec info on my web site:

Reply to
Speedy Jim

do you notice the smell worse when you are making right turns? if so check the hose that runs offa the "fill-up" neck back to the tank. i parked my 78 on a slope with a full tank, and discovered the leak. jim

Reply to
jim

Hi, you might check your tank for a slow leak (pinhole, etc.). I have seen them leak so slowly that it never makes a wet spot on the floor, yet carries a constant gas smell. Sometimes the leak is up high on the tank, and only leaks when the tank is full or nearly full. Good Luck!

Reply to
Buick8

Ken, For your gasoline smell, its more than likely coming from the gas tank area. First, check the fuel gauge sender gasket (between the sender and tank). Second, check the filler neck connections. There are two pieces of large diameter rubber hose that make the connection, and often the clamps are not tight or the little seals are bad there. Those seals are actually still available at the VW dealership for cheap.

Dane '69 Bug '63 Bug

snipped-for-privacy@jots.org wrote:

Reply to
Dane Tyler

Also check the lines to the fuel filter and fuel pump (located behind the front passenger side wheel well). Any leaks there will produce a strong gas smell in the cabin.

-Ted

Reply to
Ted

REPLACE ALL HOSES BEFORE YOU SET VEHICLE ON FIRE! I had to repair one of these that had caught on fire. Not pretty, but the fire was contained in the engine area so it wasn't too bad. Spend $60-70 on correct hoses and clamps and replace all hoses. Hoses should just be the universal braided covered fuel injection hose for VWs.

Fuel lines could also leak inside of the tunnel. That is a little harder to repair, but it is doable.

Now it could also be just a vapor leak from some bad fuel vapor recovery system hoses or lines. Check around the fuel tank and the gas cap. Do you notice any gas on the right front 1/4 panel or RF fender?

JMHO

Reply to
dave AKA vwdoc1

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.