black soot like film on hub cap?

[MILLERS2002]

Thanks Piledriver, appreciate all and any help/info!

[Bruce2]

Can you post a better pic from further away showing that inline part? I think it is a stock item and not a filter.

.... but I am only going to run premium with no ethanol.

You may think you are doing your car a favour by giving it premium fuel, but you're not. You're just wasting your money. Your car was designed for low octane fuel. Use what VW intended you to use.

[MILLERS2002]

So Bruce is correct!! After a lengthy search and a few emails to VW restoration shops I finally got an answer........it is basically a check valve to prevent gas from flowing into the engine(or out of pump/carb) if parked on a incline. The guy said they are very hard to come by as most upgrades or mods people put in new fuel pumps or tanks and then it is no longer needed. He advised leaving it in, as well as the original pump(just clean it and maybe rebuild it) but to replace all fuel lines.

[Piledriver]

you can get "barrier" fuel line in sae30r7, which is low pressure/not rated for fuel injection carb hose.
(barrier hose may soon be the only kind you can get, which is good, buy the Gates brand)
It will hold up fine to e10 fuel, and not horribly expensive. Also, use good quality FI clamps, they won't chew up the hoses.
They also don't really cost any more, just don't buy the expensive junk assortment off the "help" aisle, buy a box of IDEAL ones.

The other downside of E10 fuel is that it likes to pick up moisture from the air, and it goes bad in a month or so.
The best way to deal with that is to simply drive it on a regular basis..

Save the ethanol free for lawnmowers etc.

[MILLERS2002]

Right on, will do!