Date:         Fri, 22 Feb 2002 20:09:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Jeff Strickrott <jstric01@CS.FIU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Strickrott <jstric01@CS.FIU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Gas Tank Removal and Rinsing
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

> Upon further inspection after I got home, I realized that the drivers side
> expansion tank valve was missing and the expansion tank was full of road
> grit.  So I imagine the gas tank is fairly contaminated also.   Well to make
> a long story short, it's a week later and I'm starting to lose power again.
> I'm guessing the fuel filter may already be starting to clog.
>

Well this answers a question I just had. My Westy is new for me, so far I have
only run it about 100 miles. This week I filled up the tank for the first time
and almost immediately had problems where I would loose power on high rpms. I
found a fuel filter at the local parts store and replaced it last night. I could
not believe the amount of crap that spilled out as I was changing the filter.
I ended up draining about of liter of crappy gas into an old coke bottle. I was
wondering what the contaminating material was, as it looked more like clay and
not rust (too fine).

My Westy is from Louisiana where you have lots of Mississippi mud, so I also
must be missing  something on the expansion tank system allowing the clay dust
to get into the tank. I know what I will be doing come tomorrow.

Instead of removing and trying to drain the tank, I am wondering if it might be
possible to pump out the bad gas and garbage, using a small hose stuck in
through the fill neck (that you can move around in the tank). Then using the
same setup, push in clean gas while moving the small hose around in the tank.
Sort of pressure washing without removing the tank. Repeated cycles of this
might get most of the crap and reduce the fouling of the filter.

Of course issues of safety with pumping around the gas would have to be
addressed and the proper type of pump would need to be used. Any other
suggestion about how to clean out the crap in a tank? For my year (82) I see
that a new tank would run about $150, and require a new filler neck (another
$90) plus my time to drop and reinstall the new one. To save this cost I might
as well just drop the tank and try to clean with a pressure washer.

Regards
--Jeff Strickrott
82 Westfalia





Michael Snow wrote:

> Unless you have a leak or a very rusty tank, I would keep right on
> driving.  Carry a fuel filter for roadside replacement (and peace of
> mind).  The gas tank is indeed a PITA to clean out because of the
> baffles on the bottom.  I was surprised how much fuel that you CAN'T
> pour out of it when it's out of the van.  I don't think you could do a
> good job without some very messy pressure washing.
>
> Mike Snow
>
> > Since I live in the city, I don't really have a good place to do such a
> > messy job.  I'm thinking of taking it to a mechanic for this one.  Do you
> > all think I should replace the entire tank with a new one, or do you think
> > having it just rinsed with fresh gas is sufficient.  I have been told that
> > the tank is fairly difficult to rinse out well and I would prefer to not
> > have to pay to have it done twice.  Also, do you think that $175 for labor
> > is a good price for the job?
> >
> > Sorry for the long post.
> >
> > Happy Travels!!
> >
> > Aaron
> > -85 Westy (166k)
> >
> >