Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:58:56 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil/gas leak from passenger cv joint
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the hose that goes from the 'triple T' thing ..
with the fuel pressure testing port on it ( that 7mm hex screw ) that should
be mounted right next to the Oil Breather Tower..
the hose going forward there ..
which is the 'feed' to the fuel rail..
you want to connect that hose directly to the black plastic fuel line ..
which is 'way up and under there' on the forward and dark side of the
firewall..
and the black plastic line will reach the foreward end of that hose once
you undo a small white clip that holds that line to the body of the van
about 10 inches above the starter.
there's no hose replacing in the method I use here..
just eleiminate that fitting and the short piece of hose that's on the
forward side of it.
like it goes A to B to C ..
you are going to connect A directly to C, so to speak.
no replacing of anything ...
you just need one good screw type fuel injection nose clamp.
there already is one there...on the forward side of the white fitting ..
they're usually rusted a bit ..and it's a pain to access it up in there..
last time I did one ...
it was just so much easier to cut the white plastic piece of the 'back side'
....near the starter. ....of the firewall..
then it all just comes apart.
then use that screw clamp, or another one to join fuel rail feed hose,
directly to 'supply line' coming from the fuel pump.
btw.....at the injectors you'll see ( originally anyway ) phillips screw
type screw clamps.
those are 'real' screw type fuel injection hose clamps.
You can even buy them new in stainless steel from Bus Depot I think.
or I use german hex screw type small hose clamps ..they work well.
the Lowest grade of screw clamp ..., and not really right ..
is the american style # 4 hose clamp ..with a 1/4 inch hex screw..
those have sharp edges, and can cut into the hose some ..so I don't use
them.
though I have seen many in service and they worked 'kinda' well enough.
re
just from the split to
> the injectors to the hose that's already running forward from the
> firewall?
Yes.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zach Hale" <zach@ZACHHALE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: Oil/gas leak from passenger cv joint
> I'm trying to disconnect the hoses to bypass the firewall plastic piece.
> Are
> you saying I should replace the entire hose from the spot where it splits
> to
> the fuel injectors all the way to the fuel filter or just from the split
> to
> the injectors to the hose that's already running forward from the
> firewall?
>
> The engine and fuel injector hoses from the engine are almost brand new.
> Is
> it reasonable to just use some hose to connect the pieces similarly to the
> firewall plastic piece or to what extent do you suggest replacing hose
> here?
>
> Thank you!
> Zach
>
> On Apr 11, 2011, at 10:52 AM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
> Zach,
>
> I thought about your situation some more...most likely, the fuel leak is
> coming from the plastic bulkhead fitting on the "firewall", that is, the
> sheetmetal wall in the engine compartment most towards the FRONT of the
> vehicle. 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
> Vanagon. It doesn't really do anything else. But it gets old and
> brittle,
> and then cracks due to the flexing of the hoses attached to it which
> vibrate
> with the engine. Many owners, including myself, have REMOVED AND THROWN
> AWAY this white plastic fitting.
>
> Instead, run a LONGER piece of fuel injector hose from the engine THROUGH
> the firewall and onto the stiff plastic fuel line which continues on to
> the
> fuel pump and fuel filter and gas tank. You will need a grommet or
> something (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
> through 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. It may
> get
> you on the road again quickly. But, you MUST replace ALL the fuel
> injector
> hoses ASAP...you are now gambling and on borrowed time!!!!! Seriously!!!
>
> Yes, you could replace the broken plastic firewall fitting....but
> difficult
> and expensive to find. There are even metal versions available.
>
> 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
> coming out of the CV joint (by the way, am assuming its the CV joint near
> the transmission not the one outboard by the wheel). The fact that fuel
> is
> leaking is VERY SERIOUS!!! Many Vanagons are lost to out of control fires
> in engine compartments each year due to this kind of leak!! Needs
> immediate
> fixing!!!
>
> First, open up engine compartment and take a look. You might need to
> start
> up engine to see where the leak is coming from. DON'T LET THINGS GET HOT
> THOUGH....COULD IGNITE AND YOU WILL HAVE A RUNAWAY FIRE AND WILL LOSE THE
> WHOLE VEHICLE !!
>
> How far from town are you? You will need to buy some Fuel Injector hose.
> Others on the list will be quickly getting in touch with you regarding
> size
> of hose. But NOT fuel hose, it's not strong enough, must be Injector
> Hose.
> Maybe you can ask someone in the campground to give you a lift into town
> to
> an auto parts store; maybe a taxi back to the campground. DRIVING YOUR
> VEHICLE WILL BE EXTREMELY RISKY, DON'T DO IT!!! You're lucky to have
> discovered the fuel leak. 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 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
> after
> a few minutes, very common with this engine.
>
> What part of the world are you currently in? Help may be nearby on the
> Vanagon list.
>
> Good Luck, we're here to 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 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 like normal before I
> stopped. Gas tank is almost full as well. I did notice that after my
> last oil change a month ago the oil level was a little bit above max
> for what that's worth. Seems a normal max level now. At least while
> cold.
>
> Any thoughts/worries? I appreciate any help as I'm eagerly ready to
> leave this camground. :)
>
> Thanks,
> Zach
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