Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 10:02:08 EDT
Reply-To: GMBulley@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: GMBulley@AOL.COM
Subject: Fuel lines and another warning, was: VW Fires
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
In a message dated 8/12/98 9:04:27 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
m.laycock@STRATH.AC.UK writes:
<< Do not assume that an engine fire will only happen to someone else!!!! I
took my camper for a wee drive last night when I began to smell what I thought
was a very rich exhaust mixture. Time for a tune up I thought. The smell then
bacame very strong so I pulled over to discover I had a split fuel line and a
petrol soaked engine compartment. It could easily have gone bang right under
my nose. Do it now. Check your fuel pipes or even better change them there is
any doubht about their newness. PS Yes, I am the same person who not long ago
posted...... 'Real heat in an aircooled'. >>
Folks--
I try not to be a nag or a preacher in life, so forgive if you've heard it
before... Change your fuel lines, please.
A not long ago, I watched in complete horror as a beautiful VW van sat on the
side of the road with flames and smoke POURING from the side air intakes. It's
owner was frantically failing to locate a fire extinguisher as his fine, late-
model loaf self-incinerated the engine. In the end, even the aluminum cooling
fan housing was a melted pile on the asphalt under the van. Anyone who has
seen this happen will tell you, it is really sad and scary. The cause of the
fire? Ruptured fuel lines. The owner said he smelled a heavy smell of fuel
right before the fire. duh. (In this case, the metal motor cover saved the
rest of the bus which I bought for $75, restored, drove for 3 years and sold
for $2,200! :) )
If it has been a couple of years, replace them this weekend. It takes about
120 minutes, even if you pause for a Coke. You will need a screw driver and a
sharp knife. It is not even mechanically challenging. JC Whitney would rate it
ONE wrench (on a four wrench scale). Go to a VW Shop and buy the REAL cotton
covered FI hose, (the cotton greatly reduces the effects on the underlying
rubber of the IR radiation from the motor). Rest easy knowing you are safe
from fuel line rupture.
Please, no more senseless Van fires.
gmbulley
aka smokey the bear
cary, nc
| 
