Date:         Wed, 27 Jun 2012 05:41:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Steel fuel line adapter & curtain springs
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

        OK, here's the real story !  Those plastic lines, ABS plastic I presume, as I have yet to encounter any of it deteriorating so I do not see any reason for concern here.  The connection to the rubber hose, yes, and VW addressed this problem in late model vans.  They installed a brass insert in the end of the plastic tubing so that when the hose clamp holding the rubber hose to the plastic tubing would not deform under heat and let go.  Works perfectly !  Just inset a small piece of brass or copper tubing inside the plastic tubing when making this connection and it will be a perfect connection.  No more worries here, move on the next problem.


On 2012-06-27, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

> I was disappointed to see that the fuel line replacement kit I got did =
> not include enough line to replace the plastic lines, nor do they =
> mention ordering more hose to do this. =20
> 
> For those asking questions, there is a hard plastic line between the =

> fuel filter and the metal/plastic firewall connector.  It's connected on =
> each end with a short piece of hose and those stupid metal crimp bands =
> that loosen as the rubber hose ages and shrinks (it gets hot since it's =
> over the rear exhaust pipe), and often the plastic line wasn't inserted =
> very far into the hose at the factory.  Really, really poor design and =
> manufacturing.  At the very least they should have used a spring clamp =
> that would maintain clamping pressure over time.=20
> 
> It's the same on the return side, but it's not under 30 psi so I'm not =
> concerned about it.  The plastic lines do not deteriorate, so it's =
> really just a matter of making a solid connection with good clamps.  =

> Some of you may have had or done the entire line to the filter with new =
> hose.=20



Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10, 2012