Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2017 22:18:45 +0000
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Fuel pump won't.
In-Reply-To: <77647AF7-68A9-4542-8442-44FC45510AAB@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
I'm not sure but I think all the available tanks are coming from the same place. Of all the tanks I have installed the only problems I have had is getting the fuel tank sender to seal properly and having the pump inlet restricted. That has been a tough one. I have punched some tank screens out and still the pumps are cavitating. I have replaced 2 new tanks due to this issue.
As part of replacing the tank plan on replacing the vent tubes and hoses and carefully check the carbon canister and the vent valve for proper operation. These tanks are much thinner than original and a failed venting system can let the pump suck them in in no time at all. Also, pull the expansion tanks in the wheel well and check the seals on the gravity valves on top. Be careful separating the lower hoses as the nipples break off easily. These side tanks are no longer available.
Dennis
________________________________
From: Stephen Edwards <chibicyclist@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2017 9:57 AM
To: Dennis Haynes
Subject: Re: Fuel pump won't.
Ah ok. That makes sense.
Any thoughts on where to go for replacement/who to avoid?
Steve
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 10, 2017, at 8:17 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com<mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote:
A radiator-tank shop may be able to do something but these tanks really are serviceable the current cost for replacements, (as low quality as they are), make repairing the existing tank not worthwhile. A tank rusting inside is really a sign the internal coating has failed so even if you get the loose stuff out of there the problem will continue. The tanks tend to fail due to water getting in from a failing vent system and from when the vehicles sit for long periods with the tank unfilled.
Dennis
________________________________
From: Stephen Edwards <chibicyclist@gmail.com<mailto:chibicyclist@gmail.com>>
Sent: Thursday, November 9, 2017 5:22 PM
To: Dennis Haynes
Subject: Re: Fuel pump won't.
Thanks Dennis. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner but I’ve been out of town working on a whole nother thing.
As far as the tank is concerned - is there any way of just flushing it out rather than replacing the whole thing? It appears in good shape on the outside - the van as a whole has very little rust.
Steve
> On Oct 26, 2017, at 8:53 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com<mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Unless the tank was damaged 15.3 gallons does not mean an empty tank. However if you got a bunch of junk in the filter just imagine what the screen inside the tank looks like. Dirt into the pump will kill it. There should also be another screen inside the pump inlet.
>
> You need to confirm if you are getting power to the pump and it no longer works, or iff there is just a coincidental control problem not letting the pump turn on. Since you have Subie and there are a number of ways the installer could have decided to operate the pump you will need to figure it out. There could also be a fuse in that circuit which the Vanagon did not originally have.
> Getting back to the crud in the filter or pump inlet you likely need a tank.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Stephen Edwards
> Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2017 9:09 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: Fuel pump won't.
>
> Hi all,
>
> The other day I almost ran out of gas due to a faulty gas gauge. How I know this, is that the tank took 15.3 gallons when I filled it up.
>
> After filling it up it refused to start. I added isopropyl dry-gas, waited a bit and cranked it again, it kept sounding like it was about to start but never did. After too many cranks, I could no longer hear the pump whining.
>
> A friend towed me home and I changed the fuel filter (which was _FILTHY_, my bad), took off the pump and tapped it a few times, but - it won’t run. Have I killed it? Or is it possible I killed the relay by cranking it too often?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve Edwards, 1988 Vanagon GL with a Subie 2.2 in the trunk.
