Date:         Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:30:23 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Ovregaard <kovregaard@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Ovregaard <kovregaard@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Fuel Tank Weirdness
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Thanks guys for your feedback.

I was hoping that I would not have to remove the tank, but It does
seem that's where the problem exists. Dropping a syncro tank does not
sound like fun and I think I'd have to get my mechanic to handle that
task. There goes more $$!!!

The filler and vent hose that runs to the filler neck are sealed well
at that end. As Ken mentioned, the question is what's happening at the
other end of that vent hose. If there is a kink and/or bad seal where
it enters the top of the tank, that would certainly explain the poor
filling and fumes. BTW, all of the fuel station pumps I've ever used
have had trouble getting the last few gallons in the tank, so it's not
the pumps fault.

One thing I have not tried is to disconnect the vent hose at the
filler and blow air into it to see if there is good flow into the
tank. There should be air coming back out the filler when I do that,
right?

Oh, and thanks to Jeff for bringing over his syncro. We found out that
his WBX'r had the bottom vent hose of the charcoal filter exhaust to
atmosphere, not into air cleaner, Bentley mentioned. Also, his Subaru
conversion charcoal filter vents to atmosphere, so no issues there.
Must be that the non-syncro models vented to the air cleaner for some
odd reason.

Keith O
90 Westy Syncro (VikingWagen)




On Mar 16, 2008, at 9:04 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

> Date:    Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:04:52 -0800
> From:    Kim Springer <kimspringer@RCN.COM>
> Subject: Re: Fuel Tank Weirdness
>
> 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