Date:         Sun, 15 Dec 2002 23:46:37 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Update: More idle issues for idle hands and minds
Comments: To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Stan Wilder wrote:
>
> If you're new to your van I'd replace very FI hose with known quality FI
> hose and every other hose in the engine bay.
> The Fuel Injection hose is the most important to keep an eye on. Engine
> fires kill many VWs of all types.
> ---------------------------------


Listen to Stan.

In early 2000, I had my engine completely overhauled, and replaced every
hose aft of the firewall, whether it needed it nor not. cooling, Fuel
injection, you name it.

Last month on a 200 mile trip, I was tooling along when suddenly the
fuel gage started plummeting towards empty with a vengeance. I thought i
smelled the tiniest trace of gas fumes but yet I wasn't sure. i pulled
into a gas station and got out. There behind me was a trail of gasoline
that followed me down the highway and right up to where i was parked. I
opened the engine hatch and the top of the engine was soaked in
gasoline. It's a wonder i didn't lose my van to a fire.

The now nearly three year old FI hose had not just failed due to rot or
something, but it had chafed against the end of the throttle cable until
it just wore through and started spraying gas. The fuel pump puts out a
lot of pressure and even the tiniest hole in the fuel lines will result
in a lot of fuel spraying out. A single spark and ....BOOM!!! You are on
fire or blow up.

So, replace those fuel lines with new stuff.....AND THEN .. tie
everything off with ties to ensure they are not chafing against something.

No fire in the Vanagons please!!

John Rodgers
88 GL driver