Date:         Fri, 25 Sep 1998 21:50:58 -0600
Reply-To:     BILL <billv2@PRODIGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         BILL <billv2@PRODIGY.NET>
Subject:      FYI    Re: Engine Fires - A/C vs. W/C - Any Difference?
Comments: To: RMinCal@AOL.COM, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Just a thought...

This is a little scary but, lately I have inquired about quite a few Westies
out there. In my search for a Westy, I discovered that the sellers of these
vehicles didn't have a clue about the fuel lines and how they should be
replaced every x-years. None of them really cared since they were all
selling the vehicle anyway. Another thing I found out was, that if the motor
was not replaced---the fuel lines were original.

As I stated in an earlier post these fuel lines MUST be replaced every 6-8
years. The every 6 years comes from Unca Joel. Don't wait till you start
smelling fuel! It could be to late! The Westy I just recently purchased had
an engine fire. The owner had no idea about the fuel lines. He was very
lucky, in that, he caught it just as it started AND CARRIED A FIRE
EXTINGUISHER to put it out. The damage was minimal and isolated. As the
wasserboxers age I would expect to hear more about fires from people who are
unaware of the fire danger.

Buyer beware,
Bill
'85 GL [*Magic*Bus*] -- Replaced fuel lines earlier this year :-)
'82 Westy [FreeBird] ...Cause I'm as free as a bird now...
Big Sky Country                                 ---Ronnie Van Zant
<><


>In a message dated 98-09-25 21:03:22 EDT, martywallace@ROCKETMAIL.COM
writes:
>
><< It's always been my impression that engine fires have primarily been a
> problem with air cooled VW buses/vans/Vanagons.
>
> Is the problem equally prevalent in later water-cooled models?
>
> Wondering,
> Marty Wallace (1984 Westfalia)
> Chico, California >>
>
>Marty - I don't know the answer, I'm just starting to learn about hese
fires.
>I do know that there have been alot of fires in the air cooled buses.  It
is
>important that the bus groups get this figured-out before someone is
killed.
>I will post additional info as I learn more.
>
>Mike