Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:19:35 -0700
Reply-To: Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: leaking gas when engine is on (long)
In-Reply-To: <015E1445-788D-48DC-BAD0-97DBB4D282D1@sheilah.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Sheila,
I bet you can con, I mean convince some other listees like BenT & Mike
Miller, or some other volks, etc. to come over & push Vanna out in
the garage where they can tow it up out of the Garage, once you have
drained the gas tank? Then AAA can tow it to BenT's, I mean your
favorite mechanic's shop???
YMMV,
Mr. BZ-no need to thank moi guys!
On Dec 10, 2009, at 4:02 PM, Sheilah Rogers wrote:
> thanks to everyone for helpful urls, offers of help, and sound
> advice. i've printed a bunch out as a check off list. also printed
> out the rescue squad url. wowza, that's a good one to keep in Vanna.
>
> thanks to all your comments, i'm now opting to NOT start the engine
> to see the leak (rapid dripping, not spurting) which appears to be
> over the engine (though could have been traveling down a hose, like
> it did in the past). still, what's visible is too close to the
> engine for my personal comfort, plus you all had a lot to say about
> the basement being a crappy place to have a fire. point taken.
>
> i'm currently looking into having it pulled out by someone, or if
> that's a no-go, figuring out how and when to use two AAA tows to get
> this out of the garage and then into a shop.
>
> i'm currently most concerned with this: getting it out. that garage
> is not ideal for this scenario, with low clearance, turns, one ramp
> uphill. at least it's wide for maneuvering.
>
> a concern i have is that AAA won't tow a vehicle with gas leaks
> unless the fire department's been out to deem it safe. fire engines,
> loud and colorful and shiny as they are, run extremely counter to my
> continued efforts to remain on the down low at this garage. i think
> i may stand to lose my privilege as a visitor renting a spot if i
> bring in Big Red all too often (twice in one year? shee-it!). so
> yeah, fire trucks, not always fun to have around - lots of people
> looking over at me while i whistle into the air and pretend it's
> someone else's trouble. ha!
>
> so i'll let you all know how it goes.
>
> i'm sure i don't have to tell you about the wince in my heart when i
> saw the photos of those poor vans that caught fire.
>
> thank you all again and again for all the advice and offers and
> links. so much to look at. i'm going to review it all before i talk
> to a mechanic too. once i get the van out, my next step will be how
> to prevent a fifth leak from happening.
>
> -sheilah
>
> my vehicles:
>
> 1986 Vanagon Westy (watercooled, 2WD) ~ Vanna White
> 2003 Diesel VW Golf ~ Moxie
> 2008 SMART car ~ Gizmo
>
> (next up: i'm drooling over a cushman or an interceptor, but no way,
> not yet)
> (and for fun): my dad owns a 1979 VW convertible Beetle, still
> cherry, with approx ~17k miles
>
> but first things first, loving Vanna. my first true vehicular love. ;)
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 9, 2009, at 6:13 PM, Pat Sloan wrote:
>
>> HI Sheilah,
>>
>> I’ve just lived through a leaking fuel crisis on my 1982 Vanetta,
>> “Otter”.
>> Finally completely fixed by Ed the Magnificent at The Bug Shop here
>> in
>> Vancouver. It turns out that there were leaks in multiple places –
>> mostly at
>> the top of the gas tank, so it didn’t leak until you filled it up
>> at the
>> pump and drove away. Then it would drip about 1 ˝ gallon over the
>> first
>> miles driving. Otter and I have only been together for about a
>> month, so
>> this has “only” happened about 3 or 4 times. Discovered it by
>> accident a
>> couple of days ago.
>>
>> Like you, I am completely freaked by gas leaks and would never have
>> driven
>> it in that condition – if I had known. At least it was always
>> outdoors
>> instead of in a parking garage. I totally agree with everyone else
>> who has
>> sounded off on this – just do not turn that ignition key.
>>
>> Possible solution: Do you know anyone with a quad ATV who might be
>> able to
>> tow it out of the parking garage for you?
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> Pat
>>
>> 82 Vanetta “Otter”
>>
>>
