Date:         Wed, 21 Aug 2019 01:52:44 +0000
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Gasoline aroma
In-Reply-To:  <1305635386.19927.1566346638072@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 On second thought...Hold off on trying to add any sealant to the Fuel Sender and Fuel Tank connection.  The plastic of the Fuel Sender is (best as I can ascertain) Nylon...and that is pretty hard to get any kind of reliable adhesion over the long haul.  Would be a waste of effort.  Lots of heat and vibration down there anyway.  Nope.

But bending tabs down, and then bending leading edges up so that rubber parts mate and seal as I've described below...yes, I think that makes sense.  To me at least.  Looking forward to other thoughts and opinions and experiences.
Rich
San Diego

    On Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 5:18:33 PM PDT, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:  
 
  When I had my gas tank replaced, getting the fuel sender to seal properly was a BIG issue.  The shop (very experienced) had difficulty the first time and I had overflow leaks when filling up tank.  On the second try, they did a little better; still not perfect.  I've read that the fix for this is to bend down a little the 6 flanges in the sheet metal around the fuel sender to get a tight fit but also use pliers on the leading edge of the 6 flanges you just bent down....and now put a slight bend upward on the front lip.  To allow easy engagement initially, and not damage plastic on the fuel sender.  Maybe even apply a film of grease on the underside of those 6 leading edges.  Now, as the fuel sender gets rotated into position, the tabs on the tank don't cut into the plastic on the fuel sender.  The bent up leading edge allows reasonably easy rotation, and then after the corresponding tabs pass the leading edge indent on the 6 flanges, the sender kinda pops up into the proper sealing position.
Never done it myself....I hadn't done the research until after the fact...and I don't like to hover too much over my mechanics while they are working and tell them how to do their job.  You know what I mean.

But this method of getting excellent sealing without messing up things makes sense to me.
Also, I would not be opposed to adding some gas resistant sealant under and over this area; the theory being....if in another 30 years I need again to replace my gas tank, then I will also be replacing the fuel level sender as well.  Doesn't matter if they are "glued" together.  But, neither of these parts will be available in 30 years so the issue is moot.  And I'll be 95...Ha-ha!!  Seriously.

Rich
San Diego



    On Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 3:21:33 PM PDT, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:  
 
 Could it be the seal of the fuel sender on top of the fuel tank went bad?
That area has very little air going thru and the chance of smelling fuel is
very likely because the vapor has nowhere to go except up.

On Tue, Aug 20, 2019 at 2:45 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> You need to check the vapor recovery lines and the 2 expansion tanks for
> the fuel tank. This is a very common failure point. Besides taking
> everything down and replacing what fails inspection a shop should be able
> to do a "Smoke Test" to locate the leaks. Keep in mind that if fuel and
> vapor can leak out then there is also the ability for rain and road dirt to
> get sucked in. Repairs should be done promptly.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of David
> OKC ????
> Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2019 11:40 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Gasoline aroma
>
> Good morning!
>
> Although I’ve rarely posted over the years, I’m certainly thankful for
> this list and the excellent tips and advice I’ve gleaned.
>
> I’m not that mechanically inclined, so I usually have professionals work
> on my ’91 Carat (with automatic tranny) for me.  But I’ve run into an issue
> that has so far defied diagnosis.
>
> When I drive around city streets with either my driver side or driver and
> passenger side windows rolled down, I experience a light to moderate aroma
> of gasoline. Both I and my mechanics have inspected all the fuel lines and
> found no leaks whatsoever. The gas cap is an original, locking gas cap,
> which seems to fit tightly.
>
> I’m baffled.  Thanks in advance for any wisdom and advice my fellow
> Vanagon list members might provide.
>
> David Stell, Oklahoma City
>
>
>