Date:         Mon, 17 Sep 2001 17:56:11 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Help! Saga of the leaky gas tank continues
Comments: To: Jere Hawn <jbrschawn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Jere Hawn wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Well remember a few weeks ago I posted the status of my leaky gas tank..
> well here is the latest.
>
> If you remember I dropped the tank and replaced the grommets and the o-ring
> for the sending unit and then reassembled it to find that it still leaked.
>
> Then I posted a question if you could change the cross over vent line with
> out dropping the tank.  Well I did it and it was fairly easy if you first
> tie a string to the old one before you pull it out and then tie the string
> to the new one and pull it back through... worked like a charm... but it
> still leaked
>
> So today I dropped the tank again to replace the hose clamps on the gas tank
> that go to the overflow tanks and I replaced the lines just in case...then
> down to the gas station for a fill up... and by the time I go home it was
> slowly leaking (drip, drip, drip) a total bummer!
>
> I believe that the leak is coming from the o-ring on the sending unit.   I
> suspect it is the o-ring because the graphite lub. I used just didn't seem
> right; the local parts guys said use the powdered kind.  Is this the correct
> graphite lube to use?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Jere
> 90 GL
> 88 GL

Next time you drop the tank try to pressurize it and check for leaks with soapy
water.  It takes a lot of plugs and stoppers, but sometimes it is the best
approach.  Some hardware stores and home centers have rubber stoppers.  My '80
had holes in the tank itself because of rust.  A small gas leak can wash away
the undercoating and then the rust starts up on top of the tank.

Larry A.