Date:         Mon, 4 Aug 2008 09:34:51 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fuel Tank R&R And Heater Booster
In-Reply-To:  <080420080124.9358.48965A3D000549160000248E2216566276C9C9CDCB020E03020100@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Jeff,
I haven't read Ken's article but if it's not mentioned also do this before re-installing: Lengthen the vent line hose double the present length so that you can attach them all with the tank on the ground.
It makes it much easier to install the tank with long lines.

Also grease the grommets so the vents will plug in easily.

Heater booster:
 Yours has one pump since it's gas . If the fuel lines look good, there is a safety switch at the right bottom side of the steering column that is under the dash, a little black box with a red lever. Flip the lever then turn on the heater after first disabling the spark coil(pull one of the wires off the coil)
You are doing this to first check fuel pump operation . if you hear it click, turn off the heater immediately. Get back under and look for leaks.
You may wantr to replace old worn out looking fuiel lines first.


If you don't hear the fuel pump, check the fuel pump fuse. If you find the fuse (long black plastic holder with green wire) blown, this most likely means overheating.
That is usually caused by something blocking the recirculating air flow.

Get under the car near the fuel pump and watch for leaks.( do this outdoors, away from combustibles) if you see any, pull one of the pump wires off. Dont' pull any wires if there is gas nearby.

Now if you verified that the pump is working with no leaks, reconnect the coil and turn the heater switch on.

If it runs a while then shuts down, there could be
No fuel. The fuel pump should be clicking.

If it runs but overheats, it will also shut down. You will smell overheating, so quiclky shut off the heater if you do . if you wait, the overheat sensor switch will blow the fuel pump fuse.

When ever the fuel pump stops working, the safety switch breaker is activated.

Look under the rear set/Z-bed for the recirculating blower intake(cold air return) make sure this vent behind the black metal cover is not clogged with rags, socks, etc.

If you see a bunch of smoke that smells like a campfire, a rodent may have made a nest in the heat exchanger.

If this doesn't get your heater working, e-mail me for more troubleshooting tips.

Robert
1982 Westfalia















--- On Sun, 8/3/08, J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET> wrote:

> From: J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
> Subject: Fuel Tank R&R And Heater Booster
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Sunday, August 3, 2008, 6:24 PM
> After weeks of smelling gas and actually seeing it drip on
> fill up, I couldn't ignore my fuel tank vent lines any
> longer and dropped the tank today. Armed with Ken
> Wilford's write up on how to do the job, I was thrown a
> bit of a curve-mine has the heater booster, and the cross
> over tube goes over top of the heat channel coming from the
> gas heater. It popped off one side as the tank dropped, but
> ti looks like it's going to be real fun trying to get
> that tube back in place on reinstalling the tank. I'm
> saving that for tomorrow. Would like to hear of any tricks
> from those who've done this job and have the heater
> booster. The heater booster itself is not working, and I
> want to check that out as well. ( Sounds crazy to be trying
> to fix a heater when its in the 90's, but better now
> than when it in the 20's) Bentley shows it as having two
> fuel pumps, mine only appears to have one-if there is a
> second one, I'm not seeing it. Even though mine is an
> early '84, it has the later style (0r Cali
> fornia model) fuel tank filler. The original owner was a
> Colonel in the US Army, and picked the van up at the
> factory. i purchased it from his granddaughter who inherited
> it upon his passing, and even though she was in Virginia
> (and so am I) I have no idea where the good Colonel lived
> when he had the van shipped to the states.  Jeff