Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2000 18:04:36 -0500
Reply-To: rhill@ANIMAL.MYLINK.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: rhill@ANIMAL.MYLINK.NET
Subject: I'm in trouble again....fuel tank leak
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Volks,
After finally getting the correct fillerneck seal (after a three week wait
and then getting the wrong seal I ordered it from the local VW dealer and
had it in a few days) I dropped the fuel tank on the 81 Westy this weekend
and installed new seals, grommets and ventilation hoses. Everything was new
except the fuel gauge seal and the pressure equalization hose and tees.
Dropping the fuel tank and reinstalling it really isn't such a bad job,
once you understand how everything works. But of course, just like most
other kinds of experience, once you get it the need is almost always gone.
Well things were cooking along pretty well, did all the honey do's, and
still had time to get everything back together before dark on Sunday
afternoon. I was just proud as punch, after making sure all 24 of those
5/8 inch screw clamps were nice and tight, I put the two gallons of gas
that I had drained out of the tank back in and she cranked just a pretty as
you please. I had even remembered to hook the gas gauge back up. So, I
went in, cleaned up and had the celebratory beer or four.
I wish I could stop here and tell you all that things were great with the
Westy and brag about what a great mechanic I am. But, no one promised me it
would be easy, this Vanagon ownership thing and at least, now I do know
how to drop a gas tank......experience is a great thing.
Well, now I'm at the corner Conoco pumping that baby just as full as I
could get her, after all I did have new seals and grommets. Waltzed right
in and paid for my $19.00 worth of 87 octane dead dinosaur juice and then,
half way back to the Vanagon I saw it, but it couldn't be, probably just a
wet spot on the pavement, AC condensation from the last land yacht to fill
up, I knew it couldn't be gas leaking from my beloved Vanagon, not with new
seals and grommets. But it was, leaking like hell.
I could feel gasoline around the tank grommet that is just beneath the
drivers seat. As this is the highest point on that side of the tank, logic
tells me it has to be coming from the tee or the grommet. The grommet is
new so I think it is the tee.
Am I on the right track, is there anything else I should look for first.
Hellllllp.
Thanks in advance for the great advise I always get from this list.
Ron Hill
Macon GA
81 Westy
PS: I can't wait until I get enough of that experience to respond to some
of the questions from guys like me.
