Date:         Sat, 9 Aug 2008 13:08:12 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Stupid pays off, plasticwise.
Comments: To: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=original

they all do it, right at that one spot on firewall connector - on the
non-engine side of the firewall, right above the starter.
Appears to me the rubber hose under the original crip type hose clamp isn't
getting squeezed hard enough.

what i prefer to do is get a double barbed brass fitting for joining too
hoses,  and bypass that whole thing, and with a METAL part too !
scott
www.turbovans.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Grisanti" <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2008 10:09 AM
Subject: Stupid pays off, plasticwise.


The new fuel pump arrived this week along with a couple of filters, and even
though I was able to repair (I think) the old plastic pump part that I
broke, I decided to wait and put the new one on and keep the old for the
spare.  Shaking my head ruefully at breaking the thing in the first place, I
got that done this morning and fired it up to check my work.  Nice.  Pump
purring away and engine running smoothly, I got out to check for leaks and
spotted something dripping at the rear of the van.  Damn, is that the
dreaded coolant leak I’ve been fearing?

It was then that my remaining hair stood up as I realized it was gas, and it
was dripping onto the exhaust header.  Yeow!  Switched everything off and
got out the fire extinguisher, just in case.  Crisis averted, I got back
under and could not see anything, so pulled the engine cover and assorted
airbox components until I could pinpoint the source; it’s the spot where
that infamous plastic firewall fitting is located.  Back under the van I
could see that the drip was on the forward side of the firewall and coming
off the bottom of the fitting and hose.

I’ve been pretty cocky in the two years I’ve owned this Westy, confident
that I got a good one and that its charm would hold forever.  Folks, I’ll be
ordering the fuel line replacement kit this week, and if you are not CERTAIN
that your van’s fuel lines have been replaced from tank to engine I would
advise you to do the same.  I like my van, my life, my wife and our dog too
much to do otherwise.