Date:         Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:30:30 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Fuel Lines Reminder
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Volks,

Keep close tabs on those fuel lines. Don't get sloppy with your
inspection or break the routine of your inspections. Learn to treat your
Vanagon the way pilots treat their airplanes. Give it a daily check
before starting the engine - check the oil, check the coolant, inspect
the tires, look for obvious drips from underneath. Take a look at the
wiper blade rubber. All external lighting - head lights, tail lights
stop lights, turn signal lights, running lights ( those are those little
side lights some of us have) and finally, pop the hatch and turn on the
ignitions but do not start the engine. This action will pressurize the
fuel system, and you  hsould be able to see if fuel is spraying somewhere.

Why all this bother?

One is to be a safe driver for the public, two is to be sure your van is
safe for you to be in, and three, to avoid having a fire on board and
ruining your day.

Yesterday, as I parked to go and do an art show - I smelled a bit of
fuel. The fuel tank was  low, so I didn't figure it was a vent
somewhere. I just knew in my mind I had a problem somewhere. Well, I
went on and did the show, and at days end, before loading up, I popped
the hatch and pressurized the fuel system Sure enough, right in front of
the firewall where that famous plastic fuel hose fitting passes through
it, I could see a misting spray and a few drops of fuel dripping. I felt
under neath and in front of the fire wall and could feel the hose clamp
there. It was the typical worm drive type, and I could feel rubber
punched up between the little openings in the band of the clamp. It was
leaking there. It was late almost dark, and I was parked on the side of
a major thoroughfare. I had the vehicle hauled home on a roll-back tow
truck. It cost me - it was a 40 mile trip - but I had no fire. Cost of
the two was far cheaper than the alternative. So, I have a project for
the next day or so to install new hose - and get rid of that fitting.
The fitting did not fail, but it having a connection there at that point
is a weak spot in the system, always subject leaking. I will replace the
fuel line with a single line from up front through the firewall to the
"T" connector for the injectors. I will install a rubber grommet in the
firewall for the fuel hose to pass through.

Just my thoughts about this fuel business. I hate seeing and hearing
about Vanagons burning, and they do all to frequently.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver