Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:11:10 -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: Fuel Lines Reminder
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reply-type=response
regarding that pesky firewall plastic fitting.
( and it's very common for a leak to occur on the 'backside' of the firewall
there..........the above the starter and transmission side. )
the fix ........is to bypass that plastic firewall fitting. That part has
zero purpose, other than to be something that requires attention.
And you can easily by pass it by removing the short piece of fuel hose, on
the 'starter side' of the plastic fitting.......
its' about 2 inches long ...........remove that.
Then undo the hose that's connected to the engine, on the engine side of
the plastic fitting.
Join that hose onto the 'male fuel line' .........the hard plastic stock
fuel line.
Get the hose to go over at least an inch of the hard plastic stock fuel
line,
and put on two small, screw-type hose clamps.
and.........there is zero need to have the fuel line going through the
firewall or a grommet in the firewall.
Just route it below the lower edge of the firewall, and tie it up with a
wire-tie so it won't hang down.
That way you can get at it easily to inspect it, etc.
This works perfectly, and is real easy to do, and takes all of two new small
hose clamps. I use these really nice german ones with slightly turned up
edges so they don't dig into the hose. The normal small American ones have
very sharp edges that tend to cut into the hose.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- 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
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