Fuel line replacement in the tunnel.

I replaced the fuel line in my tunnel today so thought to describe it, in case anyone else needs to do it. I didn't see a good description anywhere. Also didn't like the idea of having the fuel line run under the car or through the cabin.

This is a 72 standard bug. I don't know if all are made the same way, but you can probably count on good old German consistency that they are.

My body is off, which makes everything pretty easy. The frame is bare, transmission is out, torsion bar removed. It can probably be done with a body on as well, but you'll have to get under the car.

Using a hole saw one would to make door lock holes on a metal door, I drilled two holes both measured from the front napoleon hat on the frame. The one centered at 15.5cm/~6" is quite near the pedal cluster, so you might be able to get in through the pedal cluser hole, if you are lucky (I could not). This hole has a bent over tab holding the fuel line in place. All you have to do is bend it back and the line is free. The second hole centered at 90cm/~35.5" is just forward of the hand brake. It holds the fuel line to the clutch line by means of a bent over tab that has been spotwelded. It looks benign in that is should come off easily - It does not. I carefully dremeled the tab off, freeing the line.

Pull both rubber grommets, one back and one front. I used a eletricians snake to attach to the old fuel line in the rear. Pull the line out from the front, pulling the snake in. When you have all the fuel line out, attach the new one (aircooled.net has some nice aluminum 1/4" line) to the front snake and pull the snake from the back. To secure the line, I've attached the line to the clutch line with good zip ties and reused that bendover tab in the front hole.

It is actually pretty easy to do. Obviously, those two larger round holes will be welded shut when I am done - not a big deal.

Remco

Reply to
Remco
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Just noticed that I forgot to make clear that these holes are drilled into the tunnel bottom. My handy work will not be seen unless you climb under the car.

Reply to
Remco

A good idea is to do like Audi did.. use a plastic fuel line.. Stole mine from one at the Junkyard that was on its side right from an Audi.. You wont ever be replacing that line again once its in the tunnel.. Just keep it away from the clutch cable that could wear into the side of it...

Rob

Reply to
Rob in NH

It really isn't the clutch cable, but the clutch tube. That thing does not move on a bug (it isn't supposed to, anyway). I thought about plastic but used aluminum instead. Plastic could become brittle, I heard, much like rubber fuel line.

Remco

Reply to
Remco

Well, in my '67 bug, years ago, I put a neoprine tube down the tunnel to replace the rusty fuel line. I made sure that it was away from any moving parts, sharp things, etc. Surprisingly, it lasted for years... finally got rid of the car... it was all rusted out on the pans and replacements were not heard of (by me) at the time.

Reply to
KWW

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