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Date:         Sat, 11 Jun 2005 09:54:22 -0700
Reply-To:     Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: 'Noher Newbie-'86 Westy - near tragedy on shakedown cruise -
              FIRE!
Comments: To: Aurora Farm <aurora@KOOTENAY.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <42AB0E4C.2020507@kootenay.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Recommendations? Oh, yes!!! Many of the more experienced folks here will emphatically tell you to replace ALL the fuel lines NOW.

Unless you can prove the lines were all replaced within the last 5 years, you have to assume they are original. If you had one line fail, the others may be ready.

See the archives for mucho discussion on this along with recommended clamps, etc. I think at least 2 of the list vendors have replacement kits (see archives). Vanagon fires are not exactly unknown here.

There's only an outside chance that a fire extinguisher will save the day. First problem is that it's often too late before you even detect there's a fire. It's not like a front engine car.

//Jack

On 11 Jun 2005 at 9:16, Aurora Farm wrote:

> > I've recently--in the past month--become proud owner of this nicely > maintained Vanagon. Took it on its first journey here in B.C. and on > the third day, some 200 miles into the trip, coming into Vernon, she > began spewing gasoline onto the highway.I didn't notice this, but I > did notice a sudden drop on the fuel guage into the red zone, and > pulled into a Safeway gas bar just as she conked out. A lady who'd > been following ran up to tell me about the fuel spillage, and there > it was, all over the driveway. The spewing ceased when I turned the > key, of course, a bystander helped me push the camper away from the > puddles and I called the tow truck [bless AAA road service!]. The > driver towed my ARK [my BC license plate reads 026 ARK] across the > street to Affordable Harry's repair shop where the failed hose > connection, the one right at the front of the engine, was fixed.I've > since taken it to my regular mechanic, who inspected the fuel line > and connections and approved Harry's work. He also did a thorough > inspection of all other safety-related systems. Since this hair- > raising incident I've taken the ARK on another journey, 1,500 miles > through Washington and Idaho, with no problems. So what lessons > should I take from all this? Besides the obvious one, buying and > mounting a *good* fire extinguisher, which I did mighty quick. > Woody > >


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