Date:         Thu, 6 Aug 1998 10:16:10 -0700
Reply-To:     Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: ?! WHY VW FIRES !?
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

---GMBulley@AOL.COM wrote:
>In our vans
> specifically, from 1972(?)-on, the motors are fuel injected.

It was '75 for us Amerikaners (don't know when everyone else got
them). '72-'74 buses got the dual-carb setup that is a bitch to adjust
during a tune-up. (Gotta keep 'em balanced!) Apparently, UK buses had
that setup for all aircooled pancake motors.

>
> Opinions vary on how often you should replace the fuel lines.
Opinions also
> vary on how much life insurance you should carry, so take my
recommendation
> with a grain of salt. Replace your fuel lines every two years. They
are really
> cheap, about $25 for the whole motor. Replace any questionable
clamps at the
> same time, using the VW dealer type clamps, which don't chew into
the hose
> like the el-cheapo screw type; buy the little injector seals at the
dealer,
> cause now is the time to replace those, too. It will take you about
2-hours
> and you will sleep better at night.

It's good insurance to change them when you get the van as well; most
people who know Bug owners should know about fire hazards involved
with these lines.

>
> One last thing...having purchased a perfectly good VW van that had
completely
> toasted its motor, I think VW was STUPID for changing to a Plastic
motor
> cover. Duh. They metal motor cover is the only thing that stands
between your
> van, and a fire in the motor box. no place for plastic.

Amen... find a junked aircooled van and see if you can get the cover
from it. My '84 already came with a metal cover from when the PO did
exactly that. An added bonus from the metal lid is that it deadens the
sound of the motor more than a plastic lid will (at least to my ears).

My 2¢,
Sam
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