Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

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VAG Fan
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Location: Pretoria

Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by VAG Fan »

Hi all,

Our 1990 Fox (HM engine) has a long-standing carburetor flooding problem. Nothing dramatic, but typical symptoms of high float level.

I've replaced the needle and seat twice, and this did help for some time, but then the problems returned. So I suspect that the original fuel container (AKA vapour separator, de-bubbler) has a blockage in the return line, causing the high pressure to overfill the float chamber. The OEM container is made of plastic, but I bought a metal replacement part at Goldwagen. One like this:

Image

I bought the part last year, but because of circumstances, unfortunately I only got around to fitting it now. When I finally did, it turned out the shape is wrong. The outlet pipe interferes with the air filter housing bracket, and it points to the driver's side instead of passenger's side.

Goldwagen (I use the Pta East branch) say they have already asked the supplier to change the shape, but nothing is being done. They suggest to bend the pipe so that it will fit between the two arms of the air filter bracket.

I'm hesitant to bend a pipe, for fear of causing a leak at the housing. Has anyone developed a plan to solve the problem? At this stage I'm considering to saw off the outlet pipe and re-solder it into the correct position.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
-=sT3V3=-
Cadet
Posts: 354
Registered for: 11 years 1 month
Car Make: ShitiGolf + CRX
Car Model: 92' ADY + 91' B20Vtec
Location: JHB

Re: Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by -=sT3V3=- »

I just bent the pipe.
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re: Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by VAG Fan »

Feedback:

I chose not the have my fuel line run over the tappet cover, so I ended up sawing off the outlet pipe and re-soldering it, using a sleeve, to point in the same direction as the inlet pipe. Then a slight bend downwards on the fitment plate, and everything fitted nicely.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re: Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by VAG Fan »

Well, that was rather short-lived. Ex just called me, the car broke down with severe starvation symptoms. I didn't know these fuel containers have filters inside. So probably my soldering loosened the filter or the glue inside, blocking the system.

Will have to get a new one and just bend the pipe. I hope the carb hasn't been contaminated with junk...
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
Citi 007
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Car Make: VW
Car Model: Citi 1.8i Ltd
Membership No: 1972
Location: JHB

Re: Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by Citi 007 »

can you not cut the nipple off the end and use a nut and ferrule with a flexible nylon hose or bent metal brake pipe to get the shape you need?

hydraulics store should be able to assist
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re: Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by VAG Fan »

I'm sure that could work - many ways to skin a cat - even judicious bending will work, if you're prepared to have the fuel line run across the tappet cover. The problem in my case is that my soldering efforts, although everything fitted very nicely, probably destroyed or loosened the stuff inside.

I'll by [edit: buy] a new one and just bend it for now, to get the car running. Pain is that the car is not on my premises. (The stuff one does for one's ex, sigh...)

By the way, VW still has the correctly shaped plastic part, for R992. *shock*
onlinecarparts.co.za also have it, R100 plus R100 shipping - but I'm too hasty on this, and have never used them.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re: Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by VAG Fan »

Feedback:

The new vapour separator didn't solve the starvation problem either. *argh*

It turned out to be a blocked pick-up sieve inside the tank (plastic thimble on the end of the lift line, with only 16 small holes). I actually had the same problem about 10 years ago; had already forgotten about it. Back then, I had fitted some fine wire mesh around the thimble, as an extra filter. This was blocked-up at each of the thimble's holes. (Funny, because the tank appears quite clean.) I've now cleaned that mesh and fitted an extra "sock" around it, made from some fine cotton material. That should hopefully out-live the car. Did a 0-150 sprint; no starvation problems even at full throttle high revs.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
LouisS
Enlisted
Posts: 1
Registered for: 6 years 2 months

Re: Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by LouisS »

This fuel containers is hard to get hold of, where can I get one to buy?
VAG Fan
Lieutenant
Posts: 1440
Registered for: 8 years
Location: Pretoria

Re: Replacement fuel container does not fit HM engine

Post by VAG Fan »

Goldwagen has them for about R150. But as described above, it has to be modified slightly to fit.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
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