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Help! 83 rabbit leaking gas
Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Corrado, Vanagon, new models, etc. (rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled)
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#11
 
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Re: Help! 83 rabbit leaking gas -
04-23-2007
, 02:03 PM
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Hi- I am hoping to find someone willing to give a little advice. I have recently purchased a 83 vw rabbit GL (fuel injected-gas). I was told when I purchased the car that it would occasionally leak gas through the cap due to the fact that it was the wrong gas cap for my model. Now that I have the car I realize that it is more than just a minor problem- it happens every time I put gas in the car even though I have only been filling it half way. And it is not just a little gas pouring out it is a steady stream causing the car to be undrivable for a few days because of the fumes. While trying to replace the cap I noticed that the replacements seem to be just like the one I have. So here is my question- Is it simply the wrong gas cap (how do I tell the difference between a vented vs. non vented gas capand what one does my vcar need) and will that stop the gas from pouring all over the back of my car or is it a more complex problem?? and if so how do I get it fixed. Please if anyone has some ideas I would be extremely appreciative. Thanks. |
It would appear to me that what ever form of venting and vapor recovery
systems they were using in 1983 are damaged and need repair. In modern cars
topping off the tank can cause the problem by damaging the vapor recovery
system, but I don't know if an '83 would have that same system.
--
Joseph Meehan
Dia 's Muire duit
#12
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In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Chris wrote: yes- it seems to be flowing through the cap- I watched it yesterday. I took the cap off and saw that the gas was pooling up. I put the cap back on and tightened it but it did not stop the stream of gasoline. I opened it again and gas spurted out and then slowed after a bit and finally stopped. Seems that there is a problem with the pressure in the tank. I am hoping it is as simple as a new gas cap however I fear it maybe something else. I recently replaced the fuel pump and checked the lines and everything looked fine. I had a leak over the winter by the fuel filter and tightened it and haven't noticed any other leaks since. Any ideas?? Somebody here will have an idea beyond mine-- to get the right cap at a dealer. But you need to understand why your leaky cap is passing liquid instead of just vapor. Did you crawl under the car to see if the tank looks like it is badly dented? |
see. The car seems to be in pretty good shape- especially for an 83
in Wisconsin where everything that is that old is nothing more than a
rusted peice of junk. I beleive it was brought up from iowa and sat
for about three years untill I purchased it. Could there be something
in the tank that has gone bad that causes it regurgetate gas? I have
looked in my repair manual but have not been able to find anyhting
that describes this kind of a problem.
#13
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As far as I can tell it is coming up from the tank -through the nozzel where you fill it up- and then all over the back end of my car-it has even managed to spray onto the rear window. I watched it pouring out yesterday-the gas just runs out from under the cap. I have tried putting the cap on really tight and also putting it on loose- doesn't appear to make much of a difference. It actually dumped out quite alot of gasoline. I did not even drive it anywhere prior. I got gas the previous night- went home- only about 1/2 mile away. Parked the car and noticed it was leaking gas everywhere at about noon the next day. The fumes fill the interior of the cab probrably because the gas is running out from the gas cap and then follows along the trim on the side of the car and into the crack made by the passengers side door. You can't even sit in the thing for 5 minuted without getting a pounding headache. Pleas help- If I can't get it fixed soon I will be forced to buy a gas mask. |
keeping the fuel tank system under pressure when fuel expands
either throughout the day or just to ambient temperatures from
the temp. the fuel was when stored in the tank underground at the station.
There is a Gravity Vent Valve in behind the filler tube at the level of the cap
that could be stuck shut maybe --- or blocked lines to the expansion tank
or blocked lines to the charcoal filter . Does your manual have a picture
of the fuel supply componets with the tank , expansion tank , charcoal filter
pump and all? You can get some since of he vapor recovery system from
that.
#14
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#15
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On Apr 23, 11:52 am, Tom's VR6 <n... (AT) mail (DOT) please> wrote: In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Chris wrote: Hi- I am hoping to find someone willing to give a little advice. I have recently purchased a 83 vw rabbit GL (fuel injected-gas). I was told when I purchased the car that it would occasionally leak gas through the cap due to the fact that it was the wrong gas cap for my model. Now that I have the car I realize that it is more than just a minor problem- it happens every time I put gas in the car even though I have only been filling it half way. And it is not just a little gas pouring out it is a steady stream causing the car to be undrivable for a few days because of the fumes. Are you sure the gas is coming out at the top past the cap rather than somewhere farther down? Yes, I watched it yesterday flowing past the cap like a river- I took the cap off and saw that gas was pooled and still coming out- put the cap back on and tightened it but it did not stop the flow. Took the cap off again and it spurted out and then seemed to slow a bit and stop. Obviously there is a problem with the pressure inside. Seems to do it every time I put gas in. There was a leak by the battery - Fuel filter- but I tightened that and hav not had problems there since. I also replaced the fuel pump a little while back and looked over the gas lines but did not find any other leaks- Any ideas??? |
just every possible fitting. Perhaps that's why the car had leaks here and
there ; fuel filter, fuel pump etc.
Is there any possibility that the pump might have been installed the other
way around, or perhaps crossing pipes and vent pipes. Is the pump known to
be good ? Perhaps it is worth double-checking...
al.
#16
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Chris wrote: On Apr 23, 11:52 am, Tom's VR6 <n... (AT) mail (DOT) please> wrote: In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Chris wrote: Hi- I am hoping to find someone willing to give a little advice. I have recently purchased a 83 vw rabbit GL (fuel injected-gas). I was told when I purchased the car that it would occasionally leak gas through the cap due to the fact that it was the wrong gas cap for my model. Now that I have the car I realize that it is more than just a minor problem- it happens every time I put gas in the car even though I have only been filling it half way. And it is not just a little gas pouring out it is a steady stream causing the car to be undrivable for a few days because of the fumes. Are you sure the gas is coming out at the top past the cap rather than somewhere farther down? Yes, I watched it yesterday flowing past the cap like a river- I took the cap off and saw that gas was pooled and still coming out- put the cap back on and tightened it but it did not stop the flow. Took the cap off again and it spurted out and then seemed to slow a bit and stop. Obviously there is a problem with the pressure inside. Seems to do it every time I put gas in. There was a leak by the battery - Fuel filter- but I tightened that and hav not had problems there since. I also replaced the fuel pump a little while back and looked over the gas lines but did not find any other leaks- Any ideas??? Nothing more than the fact that too much pressure will push the gas out at just every possible fitting. Perhaps that's why the car had leaks here and there ; fuel filter, fuel pump etc. Is there any possibility that the pump might have been installed the other way around, or perhaps crossing pipes and vent pipes. Is the pump known to be good ? Perhaps it is worth double-checking... al. |
questions as
1. why would there be liquid gasoline near the cap instead of just
vapor?
2. why doesn't the cap hold back both gas and liquid?
#17
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On Apr 23, 11:52 am, Tom's VR6 <n... (AT) mail (DOT) please> wrote: finally stopped. Seems that there is a problem with the pressure in the tank. I am hoping it is as simple as a new gas cap however I fear it maybe something else. I recently replaced the fuel pump and checked the lines and everything looked fine. |
Living in Southern Ontario, I replaced more than one of these gas
tanks, and I will tell you that there is a number of additional
vent lines coming off the top of the tank.
You mention in another post that the car was parked for three years.
It could be that the vapour-control system from the fuel supply side is
clogged by various gunk that built up, or that it got kinked or
otherwise damaged by an animal that was up in there (mice are small and
invasive). I'd consider completely draining the tank, dropping it, and
finding out how many of the little hoses are connected, where, and
whether the lines are clear. Working under there is a bit of a PITA,
but as long as you're not all rusted out underneath, the job is by no
means impossible.
In any case, if the pressure is so high in the tank that it can push
gasoline out the top of the filler tube, then it's much higher than it
ought to be (from memory, that would mean it was raising the fuel level
in the neck of the filler more than a foot, which is a fair amount of
pressure). No gas cap will be able to hold it back, because it'd be
dangerous to keep such a volatile fuel under that much pressure.
One other thing -- I'd be incredibly careful where you park this car,
&c., while this is going on. (Well, actually, _I'd_ drain the tank and
stop using it until I'd figured out what the problem is, but I have an
aversion to going up in balls of flame.) In spite of its ubiquity,
gasoline (especially when spilled and dripping down the back of the
car) is very dangerous. One clever twerp with a burning ember could
make your day a whole lot less happy.
A
#18
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In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, al wrote: Chris wrote: On Apr 23, 11:52 am, Tom's VR6 <n... (AT) mail (DOT) please> wrote: In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Chris wrote: Hi- I am hoping to find someone willing to give a little advice. I have recently purchased a 83 vw rabbit GL (fuel injected-gas). I was told when I purchased the car that it would occasionally leak gas through the cap due to the fact that it was the wrong gas cap for my model. Now that I have the car I realize that it is more than just a minor problem- it happens every time I put gas in the car even though I have only been filling it half way. And it is not just a little gas pouring out it is a steady stream causing the car to be undrivable for a few days because of the fumes. Are you sure the gas is coming out at the top past the cap rather than somewhere farther down? Yes, I watched it yesterday flowing past the cap like a river- I took the cap off and saw that gas was pooled and still coming out- put the cap back on and tightened it but it did not stop the flow. Took the cap off again and it spurted out and then seemed to slow a bit and stop. Obviously there is a problem with the pressure inside. Seems to do it every time I put gas in. There was a leak by the battery - Fuel filter- but I tightened that and hav not had problems there since. I also replaced the fuel pump a little while back and looked over the gas lines but did not find any other leaks- Any ideas??? Nothing more than the fact that too much pressure will push the gas out at just every possible fitting. Perhaps that's why the car had leaks here and there ; fuel filter, fuel pump etc. Is there any possibility that the pump might have been installed the other way around, or perhaps crossing pipes and vent pipes. Is the pump known to be good ? Perhaps it is worth double-checking... al. I think it is normal for that tank to be pressurized. I see the questions as 1. why would there be liquid gasoline near the cap instead of just vapor? 2. why doesn't the cap hold back both gas and liquid? |
a line going from the pump to a device called fuel-accumulator and a line
from this one to the fuel filter, located somewhere near/not far from the
charcoal canister (near the battery, I guess, as described by the OP); the
condition of the fuel-accumulator might explain the leak at the
fuel-filter.
The vent line, out from the tank, passes through the gravity vent valve,
goes to the expansion tank and from there to the canister and there is a
line from the bottom of the canister that is (should? in this case) opened
to outside air.
Sorry for the clarification, but just some ideas.
al
#19
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One other thing -- I'd be incredibly careful where you park this car, &c., while this is going on. (Well, actually, _I'd_ drain the tank and stop using it until I'd figured out what the problem is, but I have an aversion to going up in balls of flame.) In spite of its ubiquity, gasoline (especially when spilled and dripping down the back of the car) is very dangerous. One clever twerp with a burning ember could make your day a whole lot less happy. |
leaking a highly flammable liquid all over the place, if some accident were
to occur. Please be careful.
--
Jem Berkes
www.sysdesign.ca
#20
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In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, al wrote: Chris wrote: On Apr 23, 11:52 am, Tom's VR6 <n... (AT) mail (DOT) please> wrote: In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Chris wrote: Hi- I am hoping to find someone willing to give a little advice. I have recently purchased a 83 vw rabbit GL (fuel injected-gas). I was told when I purchased the car that it would occasionally leak gas through the cap due to the fact that it was the wrong gas cap for my model. Now that I have the car I realize that it is more than just a minor problem- it happens every time I put gas in the car even though I have only been filling it half way. And it is not just a little gas pouring out it is a steady stream causing the car to be undrivable for a few days because of the fumes. Are you sure the gas is coming out at the top past the cap rather than somewhere farther down? Yes, I watched it yesterday flowing past the cap like a river- I took the cap off and saw that gas was pooled and still coming out- put the cap back on and tightened it but it did not stop the flow. Took the cap off again and it spurted out and then seemed to slow a bit and stop. Obviously there is a problem with the pressure inside. Seems to do it every time I put gas in. There was a leak by the battery - Fuel filter- but I tightened that and hav not had problems there since. I also replaced the fuel pump a little while back and looked over the gas lines but did not find any other leaks- Any ideas??? Nothing more than the fact that too much pressure will push the gas out at just every possible fitting. Perhaps that's why the car had leaks here and there ; fuel filter, fuel pump etc. Is there any possibility that the pump might have been installed the other way around, or perhaps crossing pipes and vent pipes. Is the pump known to be good ? Perhaps it is worth double-checking... al. I think it is normal for that tank to be pressurized. I see the questions as 1. why would there be liquid gasoline near the cap instead of just vapor? 2. why doesn't the cap hold back both gas and liquid? |
GTI and a new cap from the dealer fixed it right up. It was real bad in
the summer, the car was black and if I filled up on the way home from
work I would have a gasolinefall on the pass. side of the car after it
was parked in the sun for a couple hours. It seems dangerous, what
would happen if someone opened the cap on a pressurized full tank, but I
never was bored enough to try that.
nate
--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel
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