Date:         Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:10:50 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: major fuel leak
Comments: To: Allan Streib <streib@cs.indiana.edu>
In-Reply-To:  <1w80y9he.fsf@cs.indiana.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

The problem with a permanent line going straight across between the two high
points is that the line needs to go above the shift linkage rod.  Hence VW's
"clever" approach where you are supposed to get the tank up there nearly in
position and then put the line across and pop the fittings into the
grommets.  This calls for a rather strong but also rather skinny arm and
hand.
  The last time I had my tank down, I switched to a crossover tube that is
FI grade rubber hose long enough to go down and around the shift linkage
etc. so that I could connect it all before raising the tank.  The only
complication was positioning it so that the parking brake cable would not
rub against it.  Seems to work fine; the tank fills normally.

Larry A.


On Jan 29, 2008 8:47 AM, Allan Streib <streib@cs.indiana.edu> wrote:

> "Mike" <mbucchino@charter.net> writes:
>
> > This has been a problem on both of my most recent Vanagons.  Some
> > people have made up a brass tee fitting to replace the plastic, but
> > I managed to repair mine. By reinforcing inside with tubing, epoxy
> > and wrapping the outside with tape to hold it together until the
> > epoxy set, it made a strong, lasting repair.  My vent and filler
> > grommets were fine; I just cleaned and lubed them with silcone
> > grease. I reinstalled it all back together and it hasn't leaked or
> > come apart in over a year.  I found the repair kits to be overly
> > expensive and lacking some key pieces.  IIRC, VW no longer sells
> > some of the vent pieces; maybe the overflow valves?.
>
> The whole design seems ill-conceieved and prone to leaking in a
> rollover.  I mean if you are in a wreck and your van tips over do you
> want nothing more than an old rubber grommet and a few bits of brittle
> plastic keeping 10+ gallons of gasoline contained?
>
> I can see the need for cross-ventilation between the two "lobes" of
> the tank, but in my view they should have brazed or welded a steel
> pipe across there at the factory.  The plastic tubing and fittings, in
> a place that's pretty much inaccessible to routine inspection, is just
> a bad design.  IMHO.
>
> Allan
>
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL
>