Fuel filter question

On Tue, 18 May 2004 19:55:55 +0200, "Bart Bervoets" scribbled this interesting note:

One of the best articles ever written regarding VW fires:

-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

True, this is the article i was reading. Problem is that i don´t recognise certain terms, it would be great to have a few pics with markings on the spots which are the dangerous parts. Anything like that online somewhere?

Bart Bervoets (who will buy a big fire extinguisher tomorrow)

"John Willis" schreef in bericht news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

On Tue, 18 May 2004 23:06:54 +0200, "Bart Bervoets" scribbled this interesting note:

What terms don't you understand? Knowing where the confusion lies would help in clearing it up!:~)

-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

Putting the filter near the fuel tank is a good idea, although it's a bit tricky when it comes to replacing it as I found out when I removed an electric fuel lifter! Most engine bay fires are caused by worn or chaffing fuel lines. Many early Polos and Golfs had the fuel filter near the cylinder head, so I don't think heat is a big problem unless the filter was resting on the fins themselves!

--Steve

If you don't, it's its.

and likewise yours

A fine mesh filter already exists inside the tank, so placing a second filter just bellow it won't give you much benefit. Rusty deposits and grime can come loose from the metal fuel line going from the front to the back. With a filter in the front, you won't catch these particles.

The best place to put the fuel filter is near the transmission case, in the flexible fuel line that connects the metal fuel line that exits from the left frame fork and the metal (or flexible if you have replaced it) fuel line that goes to the engine. In this location, the fuel filter is outside the engine compartment and in a place that is not very hot.

Bill, '67 Bug.

On Thu, 20 May 2004 10:31:22 +0100, "tunafish" scribbled this interesting note:

Comparing the heat of the head on a watercooled engine to what is produced by an aircooled engine is apples and oranges. A fuel filter in the engine compartment of an air cooled VW is simply begging for problems. But, as has been pointed out time and again, it is your car so do as you please!:~)

-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

snip

snip

But the fine mesh screen in your fuel pump will. Adding a fuel filter next to the tranny probably won't cause any problems, but it's really not necessary. If your fuel tank and metal lines are in reasonable condition, the copper mesh in the tank and the plastic mesh in the fuel pump are more than adequate.

-Chip

'56 ghia, '66 beetle

On 21 May 2004 16:55:55 -0700, snipped-for-privacy@aol.com (Chip Keller) scribbled this interesting note:

Or you could fix the actual problems and install a new tank and new fuel line!:~)

-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

I agree, but if you have a replacement fuel pump that is sealed, and you cannot take it apart to clean the filter (if they have any) then an inline filter before the pump will protect it. I agree that with the stock pump and the mesh inside the tank in good condition, you don't need an inline filter. Also, non stock carbs also incorporate a fuel filter, which you can easilly remove to clean by removing a large brass plug located near the fuel inlet of the carb.

The sludge of very fine particles that forms in the bottom of the carb, won't be eliminated by any of the conventional filters. The particles are very fine to pass through the filter screen, but they are also very small to be able to block the carburator passages. Clogged jets or idle circuit, are most of the times caused by intake air which is not filtered good enough, eg. when you have replaced the oil bath filter with a cheap foam filter etc.

Bill, '67 Bug.