What's it for?

[planenut]

OK, I'm trying to get this bug ready for paint and while welding up extra holes, I noticed this hole with grommet . It's behind the gas tank, and comes out in the passenger compartment. Anyone know what it's for? Looks like it's for wire. Probable some amp wiring or something someone down the road put in. I hope I can attach a photo. So far this page won't let me add an attachment. Hopefully, it'll come thru on the final. I guess I'm just wondering if it's supposed to be there?

[h~moto]

If it is in the center directly above the frame tunnel, then it is likely for the lever of a fuel tap. The fuel tap is mounted on the bottom of the gas tank and has three positions - normal, reserve & closed. Fuel taps are found on vehicles that are not equipped with a fuel gage. If your Beetle is not a Deluxe, it would not have been equipped with a fuel gage and would use a fuel tap. If it is a Deluxe, someone could have added it. My 1950's Volkswagens are equipped with fuel taps and to help prevent thefts I would switch the tank to "closed" when parking the vehicle. The engine will die as soon as the fuel is used up in the carb float bowl.

[planenut]

The "reserve" lever on older models came thru the firewall and was down by the tunnel. This hole is vertical on the baggage floor directly behind the gas tank directly in the center. I tried to post a photo, but this site wouldn't let me. I'll try again. Thanks for the interest, though.

[darzoom]

It sounds like in the position where a drain line for the a/c would go. A/C was of course a dealer add on and if one was installed there would of course be many more holes. If there are not a lot of holes from sheet metal or from the A/C hoses they may have started the install and stopped. Just a thought.

[planenut]

No signs of A/C. This hole would drain inside the cabin, anyway. I took out the grommet, and it looks like a factory hole, but very well may not be. I'm suspecting it was an added hole for some sort of CD player, or something to run the elect wire to the baggage compartment. I can't find any photos anywhere with that grommet. Thanks for the reply.

[h~moto]

Ahh . . . now I understand where the hole is located. Whatever ran through there must be able to turn a relativley sharp 90 degree angle or it would interfere with items stored in the baggage compartment. How large is the hole and how close to the tank is it?

[planenut]

The hole in the metal is around half in, but with the grommet is about a quarter. It's next to the aft flange of the gas tank. It's about as far forward as it can go before hitting the firewall. Think I'll just plug it.