Cabin fumes

Ask and give advice here
babyblue75
Drip
Posts: 32
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2016 11:42 pm
What model do you have?: 73 1303
Location: Western Cape
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time
South Africa

Cabin fumes

Post by babyblue75 »

Hi guys, I've redone the engine and reinstalled it but I get allot of CO fumes in the cabin. What can I do to make it a more breathable ride



Sent from my GT-N5100 using Tapatalk


User avatar
fig
Bus Driver
Posts: 12214
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:08 pm
What model do you have?: Type 2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/258896479219/
Location: Where life is cheap and death is free
Has thanked: 287 times
Been thanked: 321 times
Contact:
South Africa

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by fig »

What car are you referring to?
fig
Kaapse Kombi Kult

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
babyblue75
Drip
Posts: 32
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2016 11:42 pm
What model do you have?: 73 1303
Location: Western Cape
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time
South Africa

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by babyblue75 »

Sorry it's a 75 beetle


Sent from my GT-N5100 using Tapatalk
User avatar
fig
Bus Driver
Posts: 12214
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:08 pm
What model do you have?: Type 2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/258896479219/
Location: Where life is cheap and death is free
Has thanked: 287 times
Been thanked: 321 times
Contact:
South Africa

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by fig »

Exhaust fumes in a Beetle are most likely getting into the cabin via the heating system. I generally disable the heaters on all my ACVWs because the heat exchangers tend to be worn and pump fumes into the cabin. If your heating system has been disabled, then it's a good idea to block the pipes where the heated air enters the car. Aerosol caps work well for this.

If you must have working heaters, then you need to source new heat exchangers (NLA) and ensure all the flanges and joins in the system are properly sealed.
fig
Kaapse Kombi Kult

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
User avatar
retrovan
Donor
Donor
Posts: 8709
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 539 times
Contact:
Netherlands

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by retrovan »

As Fig said, when your car is new, and good and clean and fresh, the heater works like a trooper.

But as it ages, the engine leaks oil and fuel, and the air blower picks up all these fumes and pumps it straight into the cab.

Take the pipes off, block them with caps, make sure you close the holes in the tins, or the engine will overheat, and buy a thick jacket or grey coat.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
User avatar
No More Landy
Oil Pump
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:12 pm
What model do you have?: Beetle 1971
Location: Plattekloof Glen
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 5 times
Germany

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by No More Landy »

My beetle has come without the heat exchanger system and only a very loud single outlet exhaust.

Is it worth the money to buy new the complete system to get the heating system going and the original two exit exhaust pipes like it was originally designed ?

I like original as much as possible, but if the cost of this is extreme and the heating system is a bad design, then rather not.
1971 Beetle
2021 Polo tsi
2006 Defender Kalahari
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by Tony Z »

Very few heaters will ever be able to match the original VW heater.
If you get a used heater, it will probably leak and let fumes into the cabin.
But you talk about buying new.... the new heaters still work well, but nowhere nearly as well as the original. OK, I am talking about aftermarket heater boxes here. If you can get new replacements from Brazil, then those should work pretty well.
User avatar
No More Landy
Oil Pump
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:12 pm
What model do you have?: Beetle 1971
Location: Plattekloof Glen
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 5 times
Germany

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by No More Landy »

Who makes aftermarket type in RSA ?

Shelly's had an old set of heat exchangers for R380 per side, but I forgot to ask if that included the exhaust piping also, it looked like it was built around the exhaust pipe.
The old German there said nobody realy uses bettle heating systems anymore, but I would like it working for my daughter if I can.
Still need to red my manual to see how it is connected to everything. I see two cable end's exiting the chassi near to the engine so assume they are still ok to connect.
1971 Beetle
2021 Polo tsi
2006 Defender Kalahari
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by Tony Z »

Dont do it. Those are 40 years old and guaranteed to leak.
No-one makes aftermarket heat exchangers in SA. You'll have to look into people like CSP in Germany, Machine7 in the UK and maybe one or two others. But they are properly pricey.
CSP has them for 100euro each side, CB has them for $300 for the set. After shipping and import duties, I'd be surprised if you get by with under R7000 - these are new stock.

A good set of rubbers and blanking off the front bonnet vent goes a long way to warming the beetle up. I survived a JHB winter (3) like that and after a few minutes, the beenie would come off and the jacket would be unzipped.
Not ideal, but you can warm up if you stop the air from moving around the cabin
User avatar
No More Landy
Oil Pump
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:12 pm
What model do you have?: Beetle 1971
Location: Plattekloof Glen
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 5 times
Germany

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by No More Landy »

Thanks Tony - will leave as is.
1971 Beetle
2021 Polo tsi
2006 Defender Kalahari
User avatar
freddiebooysen
Crankshaft
Posts: 765
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 7:56 am
What model do you have?: 1972
Location: Pretoria
Been thanked: 47 times

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by freddiebooysen »

Just enjoy the smell and save a couple of rands on buying a bottle. Keep inhaling those fumes. After a while you will love your Vw too much


72 - Freddie Booysen
72 Bay - unnamed WIP
72 D/C - Blue abomination!
74 Beetle - BEE


User avatar
No More Landy
Oil Pump
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:12 pm
What model do you have?: Beetle 1971
Location: Plattekloof Glen
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 5 times
Germany

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by No More Landy »

Scored this second hand set in good nick and tested Exhaust side with no leaks. Not bad for R300 for the set.

One step closer, now just need exhaust silencer and heater hoses.
Image

Image
Last edited by No More Landy on Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1971 Beetle
2021 Polo tsi
2006 Defender Kalahari
User avatar
retrovan
Donor
Donor
Posts: 8709
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 539 times
Contact:
Netherlands

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by retrovan »

Your problem is the engine sucks air from outside( that is if all your engine compartment seals are in places and working)

The air then travels past your leaking oil cooler, and over the heat ex changers, that also have oil dripping all over them.

The fumes are mainly old oil smells and burnt oil, not so much CO2

Good luck with the heaters, but get your kid to tell you when she gets headaches on the way to work and back.

In cold JHB winters, I normally had a fan heater that was placed next to the car with door open and blowing into the car before leaving for work, made me nice and toasty, and smiling all the way.

herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
User avatar
No More Landy
Oil Pump
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:12 pm
What model do you have?: Beetle 1971
Location: Plattekloof Glen
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 5 times
Germany

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by No More Landy »

I am busy sorting out the few oil leaks I have and replacing the engine bay seals at the same time.

I guess I am new to this and will probably learn the hard way - at least it isn't costing too much just yet.

Will drop a note either way when it's done to see how it turns out :wink:
1971 Beetle
2021 Polo tsi
2006 Defender Kalahari
User avatar
No More Landy
Oil Pump
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:12 pm
What model do you have?: Beetle 1971
Location: Plattekloof Glen
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 5 times
Germany

Re: Cabin fumes

Post by No More Landy »

Turns out my heaters are working now that the engine is back together and no fumes, just nice hot air.
Only fault is the left box heater flap does not seal fully when closed. The mechanism works and the flap is shut, but it bypasses slightly.
Could I take a thin piece of silicone rubber and stick it to the flap with that Red Devil red gasket maker ?
I used the Red Devil to glue some 6 mm Silicone Strip together already to replace the rubber sleeve on the heater box outlet where the pipe clamps between heater box and vehicle and the butts stuck together very well.
1971 Beetle
2021 Polo tsi
2006 Defender Kalahari
Post Reply