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Date:         Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:12:23 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Replaced Fuel Lines
Comments: To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <191a01cb3b3d$8fb15b00$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

I just finished replacing the underside fuel hoses and clamps on my '87 Westy (I had done the entire engine bay area last fall). I was having a little trouble removing the last one; the short piece between the fuel pump outlet and the fuel filter inlet, when suddenly the plastic nipple broke completely off of the pump; AARRGGHH!! Didn't someone recently mention that the Mercedes pump is identical and priced cheaper?

Mike B.

-------------------------------------------------- From: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 7:16 PM To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Subject: Re: Replaced Fuel Lines

> I hope you got rid of the notorious firewall fitting Kevin. > > no need for that part on the van at all. > > for those that are 'all paranoid' because they have not replaced their > fuel > hoses .. > here's what I do .. > the weak spots are the ends of the hoses , where the hose clamps are. > > the original style 'crimp' hose clamps ...I don't trust those too much. > and ...'where they usually leak first' is on the transmission side of the > firewall at that firewall fitting .. > it goes : plastic firewall fitting, then a two inch hose, then the plastic > black fuel line . > > right where it goes from hose to plastic line, with a crimp type hose > clamp..that is where they usually leak first that I have seen > seen that a number of times actually. > what I do is go around the firewall fitting, connoting the engine hose ( > from the 'T' with fuel pressure testing port on top of it ) ...connect > that > hose directly to the black plastic fuel line above the starter . > > Drives me nuts that people want to run that hose through the hole in the > firewall and protect the hose from the metal of the hole edge with a > grommet > when there is no reason to run the hose through that hole in the first > place > !! > like why protect it going through a metal hole it doesn't even need to go > through ??? duh. > > so I just run the hose through that big fat space next to the bell > housing. > I arrange it so I can see the hose-to-pipe junction..so I can glance at > it > any time I'm by the engine. > I sometimes use two hose clamps there. > I like good german screw type hose clamps.. > and probably.. > the best ones are a 'band clamp' with a regular small screw that squeezes > the whole thing around the hose ...they come in regular corrosion treated > metal or stainless. > > where I see original crimp type hose clamps .. > I cut those off and put on good screw clamps. > if the end of the hose is buggered up some, I cut a half inch off to get a > fresh new end. > > I was replacing hoses on a 91 syncro ....whole new engine installation, > etc... > the original hose .. > that stuff is so tough it looks like you could tow a car with it. > I doubt most hose that people are going to get at a FLAPS is as good > really. > > if anything is weak, it's the ends of the hoses where the clamps are .. > the clamps themselves ....like those crimp style ones ...( they can be > tightened up ) .. > and that firewall fitting. > that you really want to bypass and get rid of. > the hoses themselves.. > if original, most of the time they are pretty good yet, just keep an eye > on > the ends of them .. > and make sure you have the correct type hose clamps . > > my least favorite hose clamp is the typical american small # 4 type..they > cut into the hose badly .. > very poor workmanship to use those in my opinion. > you know what I say a lot .. > it's not that new parts where installed...that's not 'it' at all...it's > with > what WORKMANSHIP they were installed with that really matters. > I see hoses replaced with the fuel pressure testing port put somewhere > where > you can't access it ..dumb stuff like that ..or those small pinchy # 4 > amelican hose clamps used that cut into the hose surface badly. > > fwiw, a GW hose kit includes crimp style hose clamps which they say are > superior .. > personally, I like a clamp with a smooth underside, not sharp edges and > some > screw arrangement since you can check out tight it is, or undo it to take > things apart etc. > > I'm real big on keeping the stock hose coverings on too. > or some cover ..even heater hose .. > just seems like they should be protected, particularly on the engine. > > and of course, you gotta carry a good fire extinguisher where you can get > to > it NOW ... > not dig under the seat for it. > I have gotten maybe 6 to 8 vehicle fires out in the last 40 years or so, > possibly more, and in every case I got it out in the first 30 seconds , or > even less. That's critical and key .. > once a nice fire gets going it's bye bye vanagon, but caught and stopped > right away, not even a big deal. > > diesel vans are susceptible to fire as well, usually from electrical > issues. > Seen that for sure. > > and if a VW is over 20 years old, you should have two fire extinguishers. > yeah ..that's my rule............one fire extinguisher on board , easy to > reach in a hurry , for each 10 years of VW vehicle age. > > and if you see any Halon extinguishers ( a banned substance for > greenhouse > effect reasons ) ..you want one. > I used one recently ..that stuff is Magic ! > > Scott > www.turbovans.com > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kevin Gilbert" <kggilbert@MYACTV.NET> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 3:33 PM > Subject: Replaced Fuel Lines > > >> Vanderers, >> >> For those who appreciate such news, I replaced the engine compartment >> fuel lines today. Later this weekend I'll move forward with new lines. >> >> I hope to drive fire-free another few years. Done the job twice in 20 >> years, should have been thrice. >> >> For those who know they should replace their aging fuel lines, just do >> it. No special tools, just some smarts, patience, and an afternoon. >> >> Peace (of mind...) >> >> Kevin >> '84 Westy


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