Dreaded fuel filter location subject (apologies in advance)

Hello everyone. Sorry but I have to ask this... My '73 has a fuel filter in the engine bay inbetween the pump and carb. The PO said it had been put there by an air-cooled specialist in Bath (I have receipts etc so I know who put it there). After I bought it I had it serviced by another air-cooled specialist here in Hampshire and he replaced the fuel filter, putting a new one in the same place. Didn't mention a thing about it being dangerous.

Since then I've read mixed things about the safety of putting a fuel filter in this location. On this forum most peeps seem to think it's terrible but on another someone said they specifically went out of their way to put one there. Why would 2 specialists think it fine to put it there? I'm worried moving it will disturb the currently good running of the engine. I also want to prevent a fire..

So, sorry about yanking that can of worms open but what on earth do I do?!!

There's the blighter nestling there:

 

I'd move it, myself. I don't know why folk put it there - I think they just can't be bothered to drain the tank or clamp the fuel line from it? The specialist in Hampshire (I think I know who you mean) also did other rather odd things to my bus. I've seen engines from other "air-cooled specialists" where there have been no hose clamps on the fuel lines to the carb, so they're not always right (although they're convinced they are).

The peril is that if it touches something hot and melts, it'll spray fuel around the engine compartment, as the engine will keep running from the fuel in the carb float chamber and it's on the pressure side of the pump. Mine's under the tank, where VW put it originally. You only have to change the filter once in a blue moon, so not a problem. If you have to change it more often, your tank needs cleaning!

 

I might cross my fingers and wait until summer's over before moving it. Don't know... Currently got half a tank in there and not sure whether to trust the hose clamp I've got, at that angle?!

 

I guess the problem is if it touches something hot & melts.

I've a type 4 engine, filter in the engine bay and no chance of it touching something and melting. Therefore I'm quite happy to leave it there.

 

I don't think it could be classified as "urgent". Have a good look at it and the hoses now just to satisfy yourself that nothing's about to fall off, then enjoy your van for the summer. Tuck the job into the back of your mind and move it and fit new fuel hose when your vans off the road for a while.

 

VW Autobodies. They looked after my van for the PO for 15 years.

 

Is there no alternative to the plastic see through ones?

Could you not replace it with a non plastic one?

 

There are the class ones but I believe these are made out of cheese.

Plastic is fine as long as if doesn't melt and it shouldn't unless its touching something very hot.

 

it's not so much that the engine bay is a bad idea , just that position

you need a spark to ignite fuel , and your filter is next to both the coil and the dizzy (the main sparky places )

 

They seem to have done an alright job on mine, at least that's what people have said! They replaced the front arches and rear corners with what looks like genuine stuff. Was four years ago and still looks new.

And ok ok I'll probably move it!

 

I have mine in the engine bay, I know everyone on here moans about it, but as long as it can't melt/get damaged and it is changed on a regular basis it's not an issue.

 

Well they didn't do the work for me (was the PO). Seems alright but let's just say they were cheap by the look of things. £600 for a top half respray... and the paint's still on.

 

Can I suggest you run the petrol, before you put it into the tank, through a sieve or maybe one of those cone shaped coffee filters - thus, negating the need for further filtering.

 

Ummmm..... would a Brita water filter do? Would take a while, but at least it would be pure as a mountain stream and the internals would be protected.

 

Exactly, it's this sort of outside of the box that put the Great into the UK.

 

I'm running a malpassi filter king on mine Got it mounted on a bracket on the wheel arch under the spare wheel well in the engine bay