Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:56:29 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Firestarter Fitting Strikes Again!
In-Reply-To: <SNT130-w109F0ABF01FE21FEA4608DDF0B0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Congratulations on avoiding a fire!! BTDT!!
If that short piece of hose has not been replaced since one has acquired
their van from a PO - the do it and do it NOW! Don't trust what ever the
PO has to say about it. It simply is not worth the risk. And - I
strongly recommend that while doing the replacement the hose simply be
extended into the engine compartment and connected tot he fuel "T" over
the engine - thus completely bypassing that stupid little fire hazard
hardware. The only caution would be to ensure there is a chafing cover
over the fuel line to prevent rubbing against the underside of the
little "firewall". One would not a hole to rub through a fuel line under
30 psi of pressure.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
On 4/19/2010 4:12 PM, Bill Shawley wrote:
> 1,200 miles into our southeastern road trip I ran into problems. Early on I had to remove the power steering pump due to a rack leak, no biggie except in parking lots. Made it to Florida and up through Georgia no problems at all. Stayed the night Commerce, GA and my wife wanted to hit the outlet stores before we headed out for Rock Hill. As we get out of the van we both smell some gas, I'm ready to blame the Jeep next to us but my wife smells it pretty strong near the rear. I peek under and see a small drip near the starter.
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> Mind you I've done the tank seal dance a month ago and inspection of my fuel line was done few times with the BMW hose being in place in most sections. (telling me the P.O. took care of this), I always peak under the van after stopping somewhere to check for drips. I've been rolling with a few feet of FI hose and some clamps in my van for a few years.
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> After I sent my wife on a shopping spree I pulled around the back of the outlet center and got to work, I immediately saw the the culprit as the short piece going to th "firestarteter" fitting wet. It took me 40 minutes to replace the hose section however I was bummed to find out I had "borrowed" most of my FI clamps for something else and had to use the wormgear clamps for now. I guess when I get back PA I know what I need to do!
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> http://www.flickr.com/photos/9309453@N08/4536063290/
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> If you want to see the bad chunk of hose. I thin I will eliminate the fitting once I replace all the hose. So even though I think I did everything a reasonable and average person would do, I was very close to becoming a casualty of the Vanagon fuel lines. At the very least make sure you carry some FI line with you and clamps so you can repair on the side of the road if necessary (or have the stuff handy for someone to do for you), also locate this fitting on your van so you know where to look if you smell gas.
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> I'm in Rock Hill SC now without any signs of fuel leak or fumes (still have manual steering!), and I'm feeling good about getting home without any issues.
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> Ryan
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> _________________________________________________________________
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