Date:         Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:04:52 -0800
Reply-To:     Kim Springer <kimspringer@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Springer <kimspringer@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fuel Tank Weirdness
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I would drop the tank, give it a reseal kit and blow out the vent line that
goes from the top of the filler neck and into the top of the tank.

When you fill the tank, there is no perfect seal from the nozzle on the
pump, so air should be able to vent while filling it up.  At the bottom of
the fillier neck, mine has (about) a 3/4" ball in a cage that's part of the
filler neck, to keep fuel from backing up the filler neck (I guess on hard
corners or roll-overs). I suppose it could be that this ball is stuck in
some way, blocking the entrance of fuel at the bottom of the filler neck.

Can't think of anything else, unless you are using the same pump at the same
station and it has to do with the pump and not your van?

Kim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Ovregaard" <kovregaard@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 11:46 AM
Subject: Fuel Tank Weirdness


> After a third attempt to solve the slow filling syndrome, I came
> across some weirdness in the venting of the tank. The Bentley shows
> that the vent from the bottom of the charcoal filter goes to the air
> cleaner, but the hose on mine goes up inside the frame above the tank
> and makes a tight bend over a metal lip. The end was not connected to
> anything, which means the fumes just vent into that space and then
> into the atmosphere. Is that the way it is supposed to be?
>
> Another interesting thing to note: removing the charcoal filter had no
> effect on the slow-filling problem. Also, the vent line from the
> charcoal filter to the filter control valve was kinked a bit. So was
> the hose at the bottom of the filter. Un-kinking had no noticeble
> effect. I blew some air into the charcoal canister and air did come
> out the other end, so it appears to not be clogged. Some white stuff
> blew out for a brief moment. Not sure what that was. Maybe some filter
> media? I don't see any point in replacing it.
>
> Another problem is that there is a slight smell of gas on the
> passenger side coming from the rear wheel well. No gas dripping or any
> wet spots, so I think there may be a problem with a vent line or
> connection on top of the tank. Makes no difference if the tank is full
> or half full.
>
> Any suggestions from those of you who have BTDT?
>
> Thanks
>
> Keith O
>