Date:         Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:55:57 -0700
Reply-To:     The Westy man <thewestyman@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Westy man <thewestyman@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Fuel Lines Reminder, Seattle area
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

I am doing house calls in the greater Seattle area to change the fuel lines
with original German hose and stainless "fuel line clamp" clamps, and not
worm and sharp edge clamps that cut into the hose and will create leak in
time.  So many of the vans now are still having the old, 20 odd years old,
fuel lines that WILL leak anytime now to burn up your van.
This is not an item that can be ignored, it won't fix itself and get better,
it will leak.  They are hardened, it is an age related item.  Yes, it costs
$200 but think about the alternative.
This is one item that is right using the scare tactics on to get it fixed.
The fuel lines shake with the working engine and will eventually create
cracks in the old fuel lines now.
If one is not changing it now, is ready for a burn up.
I do the house calls to stop the madness and save this magnificent rare
vehicle.  Am I making money in the process?  Hardly.  But it pays for the
time and the efforts and the parts, if fairness is in order.
Cheers, Zoltan


----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 10:30 AM
Subject: Fuel Lines Reminder


> 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