Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 11:09:37 -0400
Reply-To: John Anderson <janderson@IOLINC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: John Anderson <janderson@IOLINC.NET>
Subject: Re: Engine Fires - A/C vs. W/C - Any Difference?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>It's always been my impression that engine fires have primarily been a
>problem with air cooled VW buses/vans/Vanagons.
Old FI line is old FI regardless, ANY wasserboxer is now of sufficient age
to warrant all the fuel line replaced. However the more common problem for
aircooled Buses and Vanagons is the cutting through of the steel or rubber
line where it goes through the firewall on the supply side. The rubber
grommet typically is worn first then the line as Hoover once put it "by a
dull hacksaw (the sheetmetal) but a hacksaw just the same." In this case VW
did progress as the wasserboxers require no cooling sheet metal and VW
finally went to a bulkead fitting on the firewall to pass the fuel. Caveat
is the fitting is plastic and usually looks real, real bad. My favorite
cynical saying from years in school with composite material, think of
anything you ever had made of plastic, what happened to it. Anyone
scientist or layman alike will say "It cracked," plastic cracks, steel
rusts, hey its an imperfect world. In replacing the lines on a waterboxer
I'd replace the fitting, it is not that expensive. I've wondered about the
plastic ring main pieces that were once replaced under recall, but they seem
to hold up. On air cooled the steel pieces often look horrid, sandblasting
and zinc rich paint are a must. Any way round as people on this list should
well know, this is serious business regardless of the year, just because the
origional German stuff is of exceptionl quality and can last 20 years
doesn't mean you should try your luck. And the most common overlooked
replacement, the 2" sections of line on each injector, they need replaced as
well, you must cut the factory crimped clamp off the injector at an angle
with a dremel and wheel, then pull off the hose and replace with regular
clamps. Good German smooth or cloth covered line depending on your beliefs,
or a true American FI rated equivalent (Aeroquip has a nice product) but
chances are a couple meters from Bus Depot or wherever will be the best
price. For clamps I rec a good marine grade full stainless product,
McMaster-Carr sells them about $6/box of 10, will take 2-3 boxes depending
on year.
John
janderson@iolinc.net
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