Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2004 04:16:53 -0400
Reply-To: Kurt Grotz <kgrotz@MAIL.CRAFTECH.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kurt Grotz <kgrotz@MAIL.CRAFTECH.COM>
Subject: Kurt from Philly - Back to list- Back to Van with RexMobile
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List-
It is good to be back after a 4 yr hiatus. Drove a 79 then 84 from for
about 10 yrs. After a 3yr forced break I am back on the road with a nice
silver 86. After a two week trial run it stopped - fortunately in the
driveway. Moderate case of indigestion (bad gas.) I did everything I could
short of taking tank out to get that tomatoes juice colored liquid out of
the system. Couple of questions.
1. When I take hose from tank to fuel pump off, should gas come out freely
(mine didn't which surprised me), or is there some sort of low pressure
valve in the tank? -- Several mouthfuls of gas attested to the fact that
fuel would come out under pressure, which is how I was able to get bad gas
out, until I got smart and reconnected pump to direct 12 volt supply and let
it pump out bad gas into a jug at other end. Still - fuel only seemed to
want to come out under suction pressure, but I basically primed the fuel
line all the way to that bleeder screw in engine compartment - it was clear
gas and it started right up. Of course this was after 6 hours of putzing
around to determine the problem and fixing it. Not bad for an under the
hood neophyte, actually. I was thrilled when is started and I didn't have
to have it towed to garage. So were my mechanics, who admittedly don't like
vanagons.
2. Why did they change the location of the fuel filter to behind the fuel
pump?
3. My gas gauge does not work, and I probably let it get too low - maybe
empty, which could have caused the shut down then no start in the first
place? How do I go about replacing gauge? I am not savvy on electrical
tests and jump wires et el which I read about here. Do I have to learn
these things to survive?
4. What would not fit my 86 from my 84?
5. I will be parting out the 84 - that is what I can't use. Brown interior
if there is any interest in the seats.
Finally, anyone out there from Philly area? Any organized activities -
camping et el. around here? I camp in my Vanagon and get best of both
worlds - camping and regular day hauling.
Good to be back on line and back on the road. I swear the bus is the best
to drive. Windows down - it feels like a convertible. I even have a dog
pen in the back now for Rex. Oh after much consideration, I called it the
RexMobile.
Cheers
Kurt Grotz
Media PA
(1 hour from Bus Depot - Yea)