Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2005 19:10:59 -0700
Reply-To: Gary Bawden <mrarachnid@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gary Bawden <mrarachnid@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Fuel tank adventure (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Greetings vanagonauts,
I just completed removing and replacing the fuel tank
in my '85 Wasserboxer for the second time in the last
two months, so I've got a pointer or two. The fuel
pump had been making noise ever since I bought Hector
late last spring. Finally burned up the fuel pump on
a trip to Las Vegas in early July, so when I got home
I pulled out the tank and washed it out thoroughly (or
so I thought). It's still been humming, but seemingly
to a lesser extent. Anyway, faced with an upcoming
trip next weekend, I pulled it out again this
afternoon, and tried washing it out again with water.
Still nothing came out! Finally poured in a pint of
methyl alcohol (Heet), swished it around, drained it,
and poured in another pint of alcohol. This time
while swishing the tank around, I heard something
rolling around inside the tank! Got it to come out of
the filler neck hole, and upon inspection, found what
appeared to be a piece of sandy clay, the proper size
to clog the fuel line. My theory is, water alone
wouldn't get it out - - the alcohol dehydrated the
clay, which probably allowed it to shrink and detach
itself. So to make a long story short, put the tank
back in, poured in some gas, and no more fuel pump
hum! About the fuel tank R&R procedure, here is what
I found: Get a Rope Ratchet (a device available at
most FLAPS, used for holding down light cargo) and
hook it under the fuel tank prior to removing the
straps. Makes for a much more controlled one-person
procedure, especially when you go to re-install the
tank. Just get the edge of the tank up on the
cross-member lip, and tighten up the rope ratchet.
Really helps! Also, when trying to pull out the
filler neck, use some gloves - - your thumb will thank
you! And as for those grommets, I put them in the
tank first, lightly grease them, and after the tank is
all the way up and the steel straps bolted back on,
then I reach in behind the wheel well and just pop the
nylon barb fittings into the grommets. Time today,
including my somewhat long wash-out procedure, about 2
1/2 hrs. Worst part (as always), is crawling about in
the gravel. Anyhow, please excuse the length of this
posting, but hopefully someone will find it inspiring!
Gary
Goldfield, NV
Anna, Annabelle, and Hector ('82 Diesel, '85 Wasserboxers)
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