Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:41:50 -0400
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: worm type fuel line clamps
In-Reply-To: <4BA8C11B.7060607@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Yes, I just did a post on this on the samba. Here it is for your folks:
The big reason why our kits and VC and the others are using this
specific worm drive *clamp* is that they don't loosen and leak over
time. VW tried just about every type of *clamp* you can mention except
for the worm drive one that we include in our kits and they all leak.
They started out with the crimp clamps (leak). Then they moved to the
pretty smooth band type with the nice fine pitch screw (leak). Then they
had a recall and installed the spring type *clamp* that you see on
either recall victims or later model Vanagons (the worst leaking thing
of them all). The biggest problem is that over time all of these clamps
loose their tension for one reason or another (the spring ones never had
much tension to start with). As mechanics who have been working on these
vans and looking at them every day for years and years, myself
(Van-Again) and VC, and GW have seen how crappy these other clamps are
and will not use them (at least I won't). When you replace lines and see
the plastic line cover full of dried up gasoline residue, over and over
again it is a sobering experience. The whole point of replacing your
fuel lines is not that they are pretty or that they are quick to
install, but that in the end you don't have leaks. I have found my kit
and others like it to be the best way to go. And I make mine look pretty
by just taking a moment to make all of the *clamp* heads come on the
same side, things like that. You can easily install these with a nut
driver in a few seconds. I love how folks who have never done this
project before know more that people who have done it for years, and
years. There is a reason why the Vendors are out there. One of those
reasons is that they are looking out for you, their customers. We want
you and your vans to stick around for many, many years to come.
_________________
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com <http://www.vanagain.com>
856-327-4936
Raymond Paquette wrote:
> Okay, I've gotten lots of feedback (thanks).
>
> Most say don't use worm clamps.
> Some say only use spring clamps, as they will stay tight as the hose
> contracts.
> Some say worm type are okay, if they are the kind where the slots don't
> go all the way through, so the inside/bearing surface is smooth. Mine
> are this type, smooth on the inside.
>
> I lean toward trusting the vendor. Does anyone have actual experience
> with this kind of clamp?
>
> Thanks more.
>
> Raymond
>
> Raymond Paquette wrote:
>> Hi
>>
>> RE: replacing all of my fuel lines
>>
>> All advice that I've seen says to use clamps for fuel-injection hose,
>> and not the worm type, as they always loosen and/or get a flat spot.
>>
>> But, I just got my kit-o-parts and it has worm type clamps.
>>
>> Anybody think I should or shouldn't use the clamps I got, or that I
>> should complain to the (reputable) vendor? Or is this an overkill thing?
>>
>> Raymond
>>
>
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