Date:         Sun, 22 Oct 2000 22:07:02 -0700
Reply-To:     "Clark, Patrick" <PClark@NORTHPOINT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Clark, Patrick" <PClark@NORTHPOINT.NET>
Subject:      Preaching to the Choir: Fuel Lines
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;


I know we've all read a few dozen reports about burning Westy's and the
propensity of the engine compartment to instantaneously combust.

I noticed over the last week a weak smell of Fuel and chalked it up to
overspill while gassing up or just my own paranoia.  This Saturday I was
poking around my Alternator belt and contemplating a replacement when again
I smelled the distinctive odor.  I poked, prodded, checked and even ran the
van with the cover open to identify any leaks-- none found. The fuel lines
looked good, no cracks, burning, or even abraision marks.

Then finally I poked an prodded the fuel regulator ('89 Digifant) and
viola-- I notice the fitting turning moist and yes it's fuel.

Since I'm here-- I decide to replace every rubber portion of the fuel
system, I figure it can't hurt.

To my disgust and surprise every single hose I replaced (all 6 of the fuel
injection lines inside the engine compartment and both the return line to
the tank and the feed line including the pump and filter components)showed
major signs of deterioration from the inside of the hose out.  Each end was
brittle (no doubt from heat), and several were severely cracked, but not
quite through.

Needless to say I was "weeping" fuel from no doubt more than one location
within the system.

Long story a little shorter-- don't take your fuel system for granted.  Even
with a newly refurbished engine by a very good mechanic, and what I expected
would be a "new" van upon my recent purchase-- If you have yet to personally
inspect your fuel system, you or your mechanic needs to.

Nothing we haven't heard or read before-- but I must admit to being a bit
surprised by a known problem and one I had supposedly been keeping a close
look out for.


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