'70 Bug Fuel Tank Capacity?

[cosmobug]

I have yet to find decisive information on what is the fuel capacity of my '70 Beetle Sedan. I have searched RAMVA and here but have found nothing specific to my year.

I was under the impression that the capacity was about 8 gallons (US). However, many people in the forums have said 10.6, though not in reference to my particular year. As far as I can tell it is a stock tank with the side filler under the pop-out door.

This morning the gauge was reading to the left of the "R" triangle (past empty) and it took only 7.5 gallons. I always fill up at the same station and do not "top off" the tank...I stop when the pump clicks off.

The sender is only a year or so old and the gauge is original as far as I know. It may be inaccurate, but I would still like to know what the useable capacity of the tank is. Perhaps someone out there has a '70 owner's manual handy? Thanks in advance!

-Cosmo

[Marc]

10.6 US gallons is correct. Normally there's about 1.3 gallons left when the needle gets to the "R" triangle.

[cosmobug]

So I guess mine reads low...I've had cars (not VWs) where it stays on full forever then plunges fast whereas this car it stays on full for a very short period of time then falls pretty steadily. I'd love to hear from others on their experiences regarding this. Thanks, Marc!

-Cosmo

[Marc]

The electric Beetle gauge is normally pretty accurate; it can be removed from the tank and the float arm tweaked for fine-tuning, but first check for loose connections at the gauge (the 2 brass nuts in particular are often loose). If the tank isn't well-grounded the gauge can read low too (remove one or more of the clamps and shine things up before tightening back down).

[Colin]

What the hell does the R stand for, refill?

[Marc]

It's a legacy of the old days when you had no gauge but instead switched a fuel tap over to "reserve" position when you ran below the main, taller pickup pipe.
I think they also stick with it because more languages have "R" words meaning reserve than do "E" words meaning empty, but that's just a guess.

[Colin]

Thanks Marc, you're a walking VW encyclopedia. I've been wondering about the R thing for years!

[cosmobug]

Well, I found out the capacity the hard way...around 8.3 gallons...that's how much went in after running out of gas. Something tells me that I read or heard somewhere that there were a couple of years around '70 where the capacity was less due to the introduction of the side filler...can anyone confirm or deny this? I would love to hear from someone who has an owner's manual from a '70 US Bug.

[69_Dreamz]

Hey Cosmobug, I have seen large capacity tanks for bugs. I think they are called "Long Range" and they are 15 gallon tanks. Supposedly they just drop right in after you take out your stock tank. No modifications to brackets or filler neck, and you still use you existing sending unit. I had thought about doing this but I will only be driving my bug maybe 2 or 3 times a month, so filling up will not be that big a deal for me.

[jellybellybug]

I got an owners manual out of a bug in a junk yard... US is 10.6... Import is 8.8...

[aussiebug]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cosmobug:
Well, I found out the capacity the hard way...around 8.3 gallons...that's how much went in after running out of gas. Something tells me that I read or heard somewhere that there were a couple of years around '70 where the capacity was less due to the introduction of the side filler...can anyone confirm or deny this? I would love to hear from someone who has an owner's manual from a '70 US Bug. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


All bugs up to and including 1970 are 40 litres (10.6 US gals, 8.8 Imp gals). Side fill or top fill - doesn't matter.

My 70 takes exactly 40 litres (I've run it empty a couple of times to check).

There's something wrong with your tank or refill process if it's only holding 8.3 gallons (partly blocked strainer inside the tank perhaps - not letting the last inch of fuel into the fuel line? This strainer stands straight up above the outlet, and can clog with rust particles etc preventing the last inch of the fuel to flow to the engine).

The superbugs (from 1971) have a 42 litre tank (11.2 US gals, 9.2 Imp gals)

The standard bugs from 71 onwards still have the 40 litre tank.




------------------
Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repair and Maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

[gothing.]

Check to see if your gas tack is not "crushed" or you have a load of crap at the bottom of the tank.

John
75 Bug
73 Thing
02 New Bug.