fuel line

[monkeyboysee]

hi, i seem to have a small fuel tank above the drivers wheel arch, 2x very old bits of fuel line open ended, is it surplus or should it be connected?

from the filler pipe, there is a branch running to the tank on the passenger side (i'm on with replacing it!)

van is 1981 Aircooled

[AdrianC]

Those mini tanks are needed to allow the main tank to be filled to the brim. The tank is U-shaped, and they allow air to balance between the two sides, as well as allowing for expansion. If the pipes to them are perished, you'll find the van leaving expensive puddles when you fill it.

[monkeyboysee]

That's the strange thing. Both pipes are about 2"long but not connected to anything?

[Mk2Tony]

I have a 2ltr Aircooled, I could take some pics of mine later for you to compare if you like? I've been meaning to tighten the screw up on the one expansion tank as it was loose last time I checked when I had my tank out

[T3luestar]

Theres a diagram here https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Fu ... ther_tanks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This shows where everything should go.

[monkeyboysee]

update.

Been out all day and just got back, just had a scan before it got dark, neither of the expansion tanks has anything connected!

the fuel line that connects off the fuel filler pipe goes under the van towards the passenger side, i can just find the open end if i stick my hand through. Funny thing is, when i updated the fuel hoses, the hose itself had been replaced with "plastic" tube and didn't need replacing, just the ends that connects onto things, that was all the old original. At the carb, it splits with a "new" leg going back towards the front passenger side, i always assumed it went to the expansion tank. there is something similar going up behind the expansion tank, could it be going in the top?

thing is, i never had any kind of puddle etc, occasionally had a whiff of fuel, but i put it down to the exhaust which is blowing badly.

thanks for the link to the schematic, i've also found a diagram in the Haynes manual (remember mines a 1981 1.6 Aircooled), it ties up. i think i need to get under the van and work out exactly whats going on, particularly the pipe from the engine bay? looking at the haynes diagram for the carb, it shows an inlet from the fuel pump, and an outlet to the fuel tank, bit confusing as thats different to the diagram showing the connections to the fuel tank.

looks like i'm getting mucky tomorrow!

any ideas if i will be able to get hoses onto the necessary outlet on the tank without dropping it? please say yes!

[CovKid]

I found (due to the limited room you've got) that the best way to get hose on to those stubs at the tank was moisten the inside of the fuel pipe you're trying to get on, get it at least on the end, then rotate the pipe further up, giving a little push as best you can as near to the stub as you can physically get. This action seemed to help run it on to the stub ok.

On mine I didn't bother with the plastic pipe. I just replaced the lot with good quality fuel hose. It was easier in the end.

[Eloise]

Is it the 5.5mm pipe needed for these breather tubes? I have same problem.

Cheers

[AdrianC]

any ideas if i will be able to get hoses onto the necessary outlet on the tank without dropping it? please say yes!

I did the non-fuel filler side with the van on the ground, but had to remove the wheel from the filler side. Tank firmly in place, though.

[monkeyboysee]

any ideas if i will be able to get hoses onto the necessary outlet on the tank without dropping it? please say yes!

I did the non-fuel filler side with the van on the ground, but had to remove the wheel from the filler side. Tank firmly in place, though.

Cheers buddy, i'm going to get at it this aft, good to know it can be done!

[monkeyboysee]

Jeeeeeesssuuuuuus! that was hard work! haha

i found that there were bits of old rusted fuel pipe lying about and lots of worn old hose, 30years old obviously! i could just get my fingers to one of the pipes on top of the tank at the drivers side, took me 3 hours to get it off, yes i am that stubborn. Once i had that piece off, itr took me 10 minutes to pipe everything up, job done.

at the same time, i found that the expansion line going from the fuel filler pipe had rusted right through, and the hose was all perished. i had to cut the metal tube back and replace the hose with 13mm fuel line with proper clips, another job done!

oil change tomorrow.

[CovKid]

Yep, think thats what I used. Long as its a good fit.

Is it the 5.5mm pipe needed for these breather tubes? I have same problem.

Cheers

[AdrianC]

i could just get my fingers to one of the pipes on top of the tank at the drivers side, took me 3 hours to get it off

Rear pipe on the fuel filler side? Yep, it is a bit, isn't it...?