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Why do bugs catch on fire?
This is a question asked frequently by many who have had the opportunity to see a bug sitting on the side of a road with its entire rear end chard from a fuel leak fire. It is a scary thought that something as terrible as seeing your own bug go up in flames in front of your eye is something that could happen to you. I have seen it happen, not to me, but the experience has left me with a strong impression that has increase my awareness and my efforts to always keep my bug as fire safe as possible.
Due to its design, the VDUB air cool motor is more prone to fires than many other cars on the road. There are a number of factors to the motor catching on fire. Lets start with the basics.
When your motor is hot, this is a perfect environment for a fire to start, and when you get ANY flammable material on this hot motor, you can have a fire. The biggest cause of flammable materials getting on your motor is from old, rotten fuel lines or fuel lines that have rubbed against a sharp edge. The next cause of fires is a leaky carburetor..
So where do you start to ensure that fires don't start?
Even if you do your best on replacing the fuel lines, you may still get fires from minute amounts of fuel. Your VDUBs motor will get VERY hot. Always carry a fire extinguisher in the trunk of your Volkswagen. I guarantee you it will come in handy someday.
Replace fuel lines, where should you start?
Start with :
The piece under the gas tank.
The piece exiting from the frame horn next to the tranny.
The piece going to the fuel pump.
The piece between the fuel pump and carbs.
HOSE CLAMPS
Always use the correct size of HOSE CLAMPS at every single joint. Ask your fuel line supplier for the correct ones, your local Volkswagen shop may not give you the correct one however.
You will also want to make sure you get METRIC fuel lines. Did you get that, METRIC fuel lines. One of the biggest causes of fires is from incorrect hose. Don't use American hose.
ROUTING FUEL LINES
Always make sure that all of your hoses have some free play to move, always avoid tight bends because these hoses will wear prematurely. Make sure you always route fuel lines as far away as possible of exhaust pipes.
CARB FITTINGS
Make sure that your carburetor fittings are tight. If you do not tighten these correctly a huge amount of gasoline will go right on your motor. Your vdub is now as potentially hazardous as a Ryder truck with a ton of fertilizer.
FIREWALL COVER TIN
Make sure that there is a rubber grommet in the hole in firewall cover tin where the line goes through. This is probable the number one cause for fires! The fuel line rubs against the sharp edge of the tin and PRESTO! You have a sieve pouring gas directly over the #3 exhaust J pipe. Inspect this grommet and section of fuel line regularly!
CONCLUSION
A motor that is basically sitting on top of its own exhaust system is an accident just waiting to happen if proper attention is not given to its fuel system. The next time you go out to work on your vdub, make sure you inspect the fuel lines and fittings for looseness, or cracks & breaks. Keeping your fuel lines in good shape will be what keeps your vdub from burning up. Eventually those old fuel lines will crack & break.