Fuel in oil...Again!!

BlueBomb · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 08:41 PM

I recently picked up a very clean, stock 72 Beetle from a family member (original owner!). The car sat for about six months before I brought it home so the first thing I did was change the oil. I noticed there was a strong fuel smell in the oil (plus more volume than 2.5 qts. in the case!). After talking with a friend, we suspected the fuel pump. I replaced it (making sure to get a pump for a 'generator' block). After oil change, I left the car sitting in the drive several days, went to start it and noticed the fuel level was lower than when I parked it

I checked the dipstick and noticed the fuel smell was back! Does anyone know of another cause to this problem??? Help!

Ninja Please · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 08:55 PM

Thats sounds very not so good. There are very few places that the oil could interact with fuel? They are discrete systems that only meet up at the cylinder head (barely) but that is during ignition right? Are you running so rich that there is fuel mating with oil in the head?

Ninja Please · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 09:19 PM

Oh shit I forgot you got a 72 Beetle!!!!. I'm almost positive its got a mechanical fuel pump ran from the engine. There is a dispraghm that when it goes bad can leak gas into the oil. That is more likely the problem than the other.

derf · #4 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 10:07 PM

Did you happen to park with the engine downhill

Could be the needle valve in carb not shutting off the fuel flow all the way.Was the gas tank full?

perrib · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 07:53 PM

Most of the time the culprit is the needle and seat.
An easy way to check a needle and seat for leaks is to warm up the engine, shut it off and remove the air fillter. As the fuel leaks past the needle and seat visable white fuel fumes will rise from the carburator. It might take a while before it starts to leak.

BlueBomb · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 02:33 PM

Thanks derf and perrib! I do park on a slight incline, so fuel leaking through carb is a real possiblility! I'll check out the valve/seat and see if that solves my problem! Thanks again for the great advice!

derf · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 04:12 PM

Every once in awhile we can give useful advice