Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2014 20:25:40 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: vanagon fire
In-Reply-To: <CAEcEDAoUbGV_3YDq+TnsnKhOU5vcLpEN4dA30z24WO0+FGj8uA@mail.gmail.com>
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See comments below.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Art Jury
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 1:12 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: vanagon fire
Tracing fuel lines is my next project, thanks for the advice!
The plastic firstarter is not there, the PO had the engine rebuilt and
claimed it was taken care of. Since he was a long time owner of vanagons
(and had 2 burn on him) I think he is probably right but since it will be my
fat in the fire Ill check it on my own.
I messed up I usually ask for parts so I can fiddle with them but with the
time crunch to get the new plates I did not this time.
It was not a big expense in any case but I suspect it did not really fix the
problem so I will make it my 3rd or 4th priority.
#1 fuel lines
Be sure to get good stuff. The original lasted 15 to 25 years in many cases.
All the aftermarket stuff seems to need a 2 to 5 year replacement cycle. VW
actually specifies a different hose for the fuel rail supply then other
parts of the vehicle. They also changed the clamp design around 90 or so. I
get the hose and the outer sleeve from them. Bel-Metric has the good squeeze
(crimp) type hose clamps if you like those.
#2 Check electrical lines, add fuse next to battery and put in relays for
the headlights (electrical fires bad as well also old eyes need more light).
Re-feeding the headlight switch from a direct battery supply instead of the
ignition switch will provide the same results as the relays. Consider
improving the current path from the alternator to the battery, and then the
dash board. While driving, the alternator, not the battery is your power
source. Don't just add fuses to the battery circuits. You need to know what
you're doing. You can't easily fuse the starter cable.
#3 Fix lose shifter gates, hard to find the gear, I have driven other
vanagons and have a friend that has owned a few so I know it can be made
better than it is.
A proper adjustment can do wonders. Many shifting problems can be caused by
transmission or clutch problems.
# 4 make sure the engine is burning the fuel correctly, I dont know much
about engines but incorect combustion can only be wasteful at best and
dirty things up at worst. Fortunately in Washington state after 25 years
I no longer have to pass smog and with a 24 year old van that means I'm
done.
If you failed any states emissions test program you know you have a problem.
Somewhere between 3 and 4 I hope to make a trip or 2 with my family to enjoy
the van.
Thank you for the warm welcome volks!
ARt.
--
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not
expect to sit. ~Nelson Henderson
"You don't pay back, you pay forward." Robert A. Heinlein
