Has anyone tried any of these Empi breathers from Machine 7:

http://www.machine7.com/product.php?xProd=14169&xSec=126

I bought one thinking it would push straight on to the metal pipe next to the oil filler. Seems I was wrong. The diameter of the connection is way too small. Can anyone advise a solution?

Sorry just found the thread on this. Still can't decide what method to use though. Tempted to try a hose from the filler to the little breather and see what happens.

You do not want to reduce the size of the pipe too much as VW made it that size for a reason.

Quote from: Mark Darby on September 21, 2016, 04:12:57 AM
Sorry just found the thread on this. Still can't decide what method to use though. Tempted to try a hose from the filler to the little breather and see what happens.

It will fill with mayo and make a mess if that is the only breather you are fitting.

Best put it straight in the bin. It'll only drip oil from it and possibly from the rear pulley. VW plumbed the breather to the air filter to create slight suction in the crankcase to keep the helical screw on the pulley working as it should.

Sorry this is a section you are going to get lots of differing opinions!

Though yes I would certainly agree with just having that on its own is not an ideal solution for the reason the folks above have said - "mayo" in engine etc.. Personally I would suggest it depends on what sort of engine you have. If its a relatively small (sub 1600) standard beetle engine, with a single carb then yes ManxDavids solution should be just fine - no need to re-invent the wheel!

If you have a much more powerful engine, esp with twin carbs, then I would suggest you need a decent breather tower with breather pipes from the rocker covers and may be the fuel pump outlet (if you replaced it with an electric one). Personally and I stress we all have different thoughts, I don't like having the outlet breathers going to me carb air filters - the amount of air being pumped into the air filters can really mess up the air/fuel mixture and so is a pain to set the engine up just right.

Mark's previousy stated that he's running a 1600 with twin 40s so it shouldn't need any more than a stock breather set up.

Quote from: Manxdavid on September 21, 2016, 10:33:32 AM
Mark's previousy stated that he's running a 1600 with twin 40s so it shouldn't need any more than a stock breather set up.

Sorry missed that, so yes should be fine 

I ran a 1776 hi po engine with one fitted on a tube to just above fan shroud for a season. Had no problems with crankcase pressure or sludge. I agree that cylinder head breathers are the best option in addition to anything else you can get. One thing to note is that the barbs you get in some kits are sh..e i.e no actual barb just smooth....empi ones in particular, as I found the breather pipe kept coming off.

Yes I've got a 1600 built by Andy Storer in Newark about 30 years ago. Should be just over 100bhp. Rev limiter is 6700. Just fitted twin 40IDFs. Hopefully quite lively. All that said, it's not easy to decide on the final solution. Given that the engine has done no mileage so should be no blow by past the rings, I'm tempted to mount the little breather above the fan housing for now. I don't want to create another obstacle to getting the Bug on the road finally! Will look at the breather box solution once up and running. Am I being impatient? Should I go for the full solution now? I'm so crap at these decisions - amazing I can even run a business!

In which case, run the engine and see how it is....

Might be worth running it with the oil breather filter off and see how much air is being pumped out. You might be surprised - I know I was with my new 1776cc SSP engine at the time. If there is a lot of air being pumped out you might want to look at a more effective breather system, if its not a lot then keep it simple. As said there's no one solution to fit all.

Quote from: evilsea on September 21, 2016, 01:00:40 PM
One thing to note is that the barbs you get in some kits are sh..e i.e no actual barb just smooth....empi ones in particular, as I found the breather pipe kept coming off.

Exactly! I have the same issue and so replaced with the CSP versions which are barbed.

Quote from: Mark Darby on September 21, 2016, 02:14:25 PM
Yes I've got a 1600 built by Andy Storer in Newark about 30 years ago. Should be just over 100bhp. Rev limiter is 6700. Just fitted twin 40IDFs. Hopefully quite lively. All that said, it's not easy to decide on the final solution. Given that the engine has done no mileage so should be no blow by past the rings, I'm tempted to mount the little breather above the fan housing for now. I don't want to create another obstacle to getting the Bug on the road finally! Will look at the breather box solution once up and running. Am I being impatient? Should I go for the full solution now? I'm so crap at these decisions - amazing I can even run a business!

You pay your money and take a chance but if you did a hands up poll on who thinks they are dog toffee most of folks who had tried them would agree.

As soon as damp cold air hits them that's when you are making mayo, make enough and they are blocked enough to cause other problems.  Seen it, been there, laughed at others who have done the same.  The CB performance tower takes less time to fit than it took me to write this (nearly).

Thanks Andy. Good advice. We'll find out when it finally starts up.
I agree Flags, that's the one I'd go for when I go that route eventually. I just want to get the Bug on the road for the first time then I'm sure I'll be spending many a winter evening in the garage, doing some tarting up for next season start.
Thanks all for the help and apologies for stirring up an old topic - it's been very helpful though. I read the whole previous thread and it just shows the collective wealth of knowledge there is here. A brilliant community. I hope I can contribute.

No worries at all. 

And no need to apologise for bringing old subjects up. Although many of us have posted before, it soon gets hidden in the many posts since then and I bet there are many others reading this subject for the first time! And thats exactly why we are all here!

And yes it you may need a decent breather system (my experience will say its very likely) then the CB performance tower is the answer. I have gone from simple baby filter like you mentioned to begin with, to the empi breather box (pile of pants) I already had before knowing better to the CB performance tower and its a much better solution. There is still the risk of mayo BUT regular checks on it (especially if it gets damp / over winter storage and regular oil changes means its pretty rare.