Volkswagen Question

shannon · Since 15 Aug 2006 126 Posts Bolstad Clan

Hey Guys! So Grom and I drive a 76 Volkswagen Bus and we're stumped on a problem it's having. We're wondering if there are any secret Volkswagen experts out there in the kiteboarding community.
So here's the problem:
4 days ago I filled up my gas tank and there was no problems. Gas went it, it cost same price it always does and then I put my gas cap back on. My gas cap needs a key to open it so I know nobody has opened it since then.
So yesterday, I went to fill up again (as a full tank of gas does not last long anymore) and when I started to pour the gas, all of it just started coming out the bottom, like it never made it into the tank. After further inspection, we've found out that the tube that funnels the gas from the gas station spiket to my gas tank it missing. I don't know if it fell down below, why it would fall, or what to do next.
If anyone has any suggestions or answers please post back as this is a very loved Bus that has taken us everywhere.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun May 25, 08 9:42 am

that is a weird one. it could have been take out so someone could siphon your gas or it cold have rusted away and fell off. Either way, its probably time to go to the scrap yard to get a replacement. That may prove difficult though as many junk yard take the gas tanks off and discard them b/c they are explosive. What ever you do, be CAREFUL grinding any metal or what not near the gas tank.!!!

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

you have probably been ripped ,

I purchased a truck once that had twin tanks one with a lock and showed full.
the dude (that night)
took out the hose between filler and tank then siphoned the fuel out
and left the hose loose
I didn't notice until I switched tanks and it showed empty the next day

Nak · Sun May 25, 08 9:44 am

Not a Volkswagen expert, but is the tube you speak of accessible externally? It sounds like someone got under your car and removed the hose from the filler to the tank so they could siphon your gas...

shannon · Since 15 Aug 2006 126 Posts Bolstad Clan

alright its grom this time. the gas cap has a lock on it. the gas in the tank is fine, yet we are getting close to empty. i think its the part transporting the gas from the gas station spicket to the tank. thanks guys, have fun

grom

tonyb · Tue May 27, 08 1:47 pm

Hey Grom!

Go here to see more than you want to know about VW fuel tank problems and fixes:
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FuelTankRestoration.html

A little ways down is a picture of the fuel tank filler hose that connects the filler neck where you stick the gas pump nozzle to the tank. It sounds like the hose was either cut by someone to get to your gas or it has simply rotted away. You should be able to see it if you take off the engine cover inside the back hatch.

Good luck.

Tony

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, I had to remove that pipe in Baja to pull a hose out of it (failed siphoning attempt to refill generator). If that pipe is missing then there's nothing connecting the gas tank to the gas pump right? You should be able to replace that pipe, but try to find some instructions on the procedure first since you're dealing with gasoline. A Haynes or Chilton manual would probably have enough information for you to get by.

Or just connect the gas pump directly to the tank and fill up from there Wink

.

Good luck!

tonyb · Tue May 27, 08 2:11 pm

Also, thinking about all of the recent problems with the bus plus the difficulty in getting to the hose location I'm going to guess the hose has rotted away. This might explain the problems with fuel filter, no gas, etc...

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

maybe gas trolls?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080527/ap_on_bi_ge/punctured_gas_tanks