Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:59:15 -0500
Reply-To: Zach Hale <zach@ZACHHALE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Zach Hale <zach@ZACHHALE.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil/gas leak from passenger cv joint
In-Reply-To: <471059.10646.qm@web83606.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Thank you all for your great information! On further inspection it
seems to be coming from directly below that firewall fitting. There's
not much slack to adjust it and I don't have any hoses with me so I
think I'll just get a tow to town where I can get some assistance with
this.
It sounds like the best solution is to re-hose this to bypass the
firewall fitting and probably run it below the current hole with some
ties to keep it elevated.
Unfortunately I'm in the middle of Texas 2000 miles from my home base,
but that's how it goes! Gonna get a AAA tow into town since I'm about
30 miles away.
Zach
On Apr 11, 2011, at 10:52 AM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> --0-1085838189-1302537161=:10646
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> Zach,
>
> I thought about your situation some more...most likely, the fuel leak is co=
> ming from the plastic bulkhead fitting on the "firewall", that is, the shee=
> tmetal wall in the engine compartment most towards the FRONT of the vehicle=
> .=A0 Basically, the fuel hose hose attaches to this fitting from both sides=
> ; the fitting was put there at the factory to AID MANAUFACTURE of the Vanag=
> on.=A0 It doesn't really do anything else.=A0 But it gets old and brittle, =
> and then cracks due to the flexing of the hoses attached to it which vibrat=
> e with the engine.=A0 Many owners, including myself, have REMOVED AND THROW=
> N AWAY this white plastic fitting.
>
> Instead, run a LONGER piece of fuel injector hose from the engine THROUGH t=
> he firewall and onto the stiff plastic fuel line which continues on to the =
> fuel pump and fuel filter and gas tank.=A0 You will need a grommet or somet=
> hing (I used a larger diameter piece heater hose, about 6 inches long, and =
> ran the FI hose through it) to protect the hose from the sharp edges of the=
> sheet metal firewall.
>
> OR, you don't even need to run the longer piece of Fuel Injector hose throu=
> gh the firewall....it can run BELOW it....then you won't need any abrasion =
> protection on it.
>
> Again, all of this assumes the leak is at the firewall fitting.=A0 It may g=
> et you on the road again quickly.=A0 But, you MUST replace ALL the fuel inj=
> ector hoses ASAP...you are now gambling and on borrowed time!!!!!=A0 Seriou=
> sly!!!
>
> Yes, you could replace the broken plastic firewall fitting....but difficult=
> and expensive to find.=A0 There are even metal versions available.=A0=20
>
> The fuel injector hose size is 5/16....just noticed on Ben's website.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> --- On Mon, 4/11/11, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: Re: Oil/gas leak from passenger cv joint
> To: "Zach Hale" <zach@ZACHHALE.COM>
> Date: Monday, April 11, 2011, 8:21 AM
>
>
> Zach,
>
> Sounds like fuel from the supply line or one of the fuel injectors lines is=
> leaking and dripping onto your transmission, making it appear that it is c=
> oming out of the CV joint (by the way, am assuming its the CV joint near th=
> e transmission not the one outboard by the wheel).=A0 The fact that fuel is=
> leaking is VERY SERIOUS!!!=A0 Many Vanagons are lost to out of control fir=
> es in engine compartments each year due to this kind of leak!!=A0 Needs imm=
> ediate fixing!!!
>
> First, open up engine compartment and take a look.=A0 You might need to sta=
> rt up engine to see where the leak is coming from.=A0 DON'T LET THINGS GET =
> HOT THOUGH....COULD IGNITE AND YOU WILL HAVE A RUNAWAY FIRE AND WILL LOSE T=
> HE WHOLE VEHICLE !!
>
> How far from town are you?=A0 You will need to buy some Fuel Injector hose.=
> =A0 Others on the list will be=0A quickly getting in touch with you regardi=
> ng size of hose.=A0 But NOT fuel hose, it's not strong enough, must be Inje=
> ctor Hose.=A0 Maybe you can ask someone in the campground to give you a lif=
> t into town to an auto parts store; maybe a taxi back to the campground.=A0=
> DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE WILL BE EXTREMELY RISKY, DON'T DO IT!!!=A0 You're luc=
> ky to have discovered the fuel leak.=A0 The tools you will need are basic..=
> ..screwdrivers, socket & ratchet set, knife to cut the tough fuel injector =
> hose to proper length, also an X-acto knife with a #11 blade.....see http:/=
> /www.benplace.com/fuel_line.htm=A0=A0 That site will show you what you need=
> to do and how to do it.
>
> By the way, the clicking is just noisy hydraulic lifters; will go away afte=
> r a few minutes, very common with this engine.
>
> What part of the world are you currently in?=A0 Help may be nearby on the V=
> anagon list.
>
> Good Luck, we're here to=0A help.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 4/11/11, Zach Hale <zach@ZACHHALE.COM> wrote:
>
> From: Zach Hale <zach@ZACHHALE.COM>
> Subject: Oil/gas leak from passenger cv joint
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Monday, April 11, 2011, 7:55 AM
>
> Hello all,
>
> I'm at a bit of a loss for what to do right now as I'm at a campground
> intending to drive a full day so any help is much appreciated.
>
> This morning I checked my oil and coolant as I normally do and all
> looks good. Start up my 85 vanagon and noticed a slightly louder than
> normal clicking noise (normal to hear but it got my attention) so I
> went to listen in while it warmed up. Then I noticed something
> dripping from around the passenger side rear axle boot. I can't tell
> whether it's oil=0A or gas. It smells like gas, but it sometimes does
> when I start the van up. The cvs are only about 6000 miles old and
> seem to be in good shape. The liquid stopped dripping after I turned
> the van off and has since (20 min) dissapeared almost completely from
> around the boot. Based on that I'm thinking its probably gas and I
> only thought it was oil from scraping the ground where it was dripping
> and would have mixed with dirt. I really don't know. Smells like gas.
>
> I doubt the clicking is any worry and is just the van warming up. The
> oil level is full and it seemed to be warming up
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