Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:20:47 -0800
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: Does this look like a fuel leak?
In-Reply-To: <CAMuoOU7BLAoKEe52ap3HtKZQjYv0usd+fFLm6fsUYMJ9DK8y9Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
the fuel system should stay pressurized after pre-running the fuel pump
for a few seconds..
Just pre-run the fuel pump by tuturning in the key a few times..
a check valve in the fuel pump maintains pressure I believe.
ifyou have a fuel pressure guage on it, and pre-run thepump say 3 times..
it should read 32 psi or so ...and maintain that pressure quite a long time.
leaving the key on after pre-running the fuel pump makes no difference
of course.
scott
On 1/31/2013 7:53 AM, John Meeks wrote:
> Peter ~
>
> FYI the fuel pump only runs for a few seconds with the key in the on
> position. Once the engine turns over it will run continuously.
>
> It's possible that the fuel line clamps weren't crimped tight enough. Check
> to see if they move on the rail nipples. That crimp tool is good to have if
> you're going to stay with the Oetiker type clamps.
>
> John Meeks
> '91 Vanagon MV Phoenix
> Northern Michigan
>
> Vanagon Rescue Squad <http://www.vanagonauts.com/Vanagon-Rescue-Squad74.htm>
> Android and iOS apps
>
> www.vanagonauts.com
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 8:40 AM, Peter Krogh <peter@peterkrogh.com> wrote:
>
>> I've noticed the smell of gas in my engine compartment, and it looks like
>> I may have multiple fuel leaks back there. I suppose it's also possible
>> that what looks like fuel stains could have come from some penetrating
>> solvent used in the fuel line repair over the summer. Or perhaps the stains
>> have simply been lingering around since the repairs over the summer.
>> Wondering the wisdom of the list.
>>
>> Here's a movie showing what I see:
>> https://vimeo.com/58572336
>>
>> Background
>> The van sat in the driveway for several years undriven. Last summer I
>> hired a work-from-his-house vanagon-only mechanic to do some basic repairs
>> - brake lines, brakes, shocks, gas tank breather, and fuel lines as well as
>> a few bushings. You can see the new fuel lines and the crimp-on connectors
>> in the video.
>>
>> There have been a number of other issues I'm slowly working through on my
>> own as best I can.
>>
>> Next step
>> After 28 years, I really don't want to lose the van to a foreseeable
>> engine fire. Does this look like a fuel leak? I can't really see how the
>> leak could be happening - lines are new, connectors look tight (as best I
>> can tell). Do the rails ever crack and leak?
>>
>> Should I spray down the engine compartment with engine cleaner and see if
>> the staining comes back? Should I stop driving it immediately?
>>
>> I tried leaving the car ignition turned on (car not running) for a half
>> hour or so to see if any fuel seemed to leak further, but could not find
>> evidence of that. (I assume that the fuel lines are pressurized when the
>> ignition is turned on.)
>>
>> I've been driving the car a couple times a week, nothing longer than 20
>> miles for the last 5 months. At this point, I need to put the car into
>> local service on something like a daily basis, so I'd like to resolve the
>> safety issues ASAP.
>>
>> The guy who did the work is 60 miles away, so driving to have him look at
>> it only works if this is not a dangerous condition. I have sent him a link
>> as well, but not yet heard back.
>>
>> Thanks for any insight.
>> Peter
|