Date:         Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:22:14 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Don't top off gas tanks
Comments: To: James <jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <eK9P1o00708X5Fr01K9SKA>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

All vehicles have that in their owner's books.  It is related to vapor control and leakage, and is especially important in hot weather.  Gasoline, like most materials, exhibits thermal expansion.  However, some pump triggers are quite sensitive, and some of them cannot be fitted into the filler neck in such a way as not to have backflow, so they will shut off before the tank is full.  So one needs to be attentive to that phenomenon, and adjust one's technique accordingly.  When dealing with such pumps, I try to slow down the rate as I near the full point.  However again, the automatic shut off doesn't operate reliably when delivery rate is slow.  I will pay closer attention to whether the tank is full or not, so that I can manually shut off fuel delivery instead of depending on the automatic trigger.  That way, I do get a full tank, but do not spill gasoline.  mcneely

---- James <jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Hi Roy,
>
> If you read your owner's manual, you are NOT supposed to 'top off' the tank in a Vanagon - you are to stop fueling when the pump kicks out the first time, according to VW.  There's very little vertical height between the top of the gas tank in our beloved vans and the evaporation control tanks and gear - I asssume that's why the warning.  Certainly on our '91 if I top off the tank (only did it once) I get strong gas fumes, but if I stop when the pump kicks out, then the fumes don't happen (except on really hot days, if I park soon after fueling).
>
> James
> Ottawa, ON
>
> > Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2014 02:34:18 -0300
> > From: RNicholl@NBNET.NB.CA
> > Subject: Fresh water tank leaking via vent.
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> > All,
> >
> > I seem to recall very topic being posted to the list not that long ago, but seem unable to find it searching my Vanagon folder ... I apologise in advance for the redundancy.
> >
> > The 3.5 year old and I have been on the road for almost a week in our new-to-us '88 Westfalia ... which my son has aptly and affectionately named "The Hyena"  {Sorry Don.}.   Things are well mechanically thus far - the only issue is the lines to the overflow tanks need to be replaced.   I bought some line in Calgary and will attend to it, the first chance I get.  In the interim, you stop filling when the pump kicks out.
>

--
David McNeely