Date:         Sun, 27 Sep 1998 10:31:31 -0400
Reply-To:     David Katsuki <dkatsuki@WORLD.STD.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         David Katsuki <dkatsuki@WORLD.STD.COM>
Subject:      Re: fuel line clamps
Comments: To: John Anderson <janderson@IOLINC.NET>
Comments: cc: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <001701bde9ca$33193ec0$858166ce@default>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I remember something on the list a while ago to the effect that VW replaced
all the original band-clamp style with the late model spring clamps (that
maintain tension) because the original ones became loose after a while and
started leaking.    I have noticed that you have to periodically tighten
the worm-style clamps, but if you do that, they will be OK.   Knowing my
own tendancy to put off things like tightening clamps, I'm trying to find
the right size  spring clamps.

Dave
87 Wolfsburg
90 Westfalia

 At 11:52 PM 9/26/98 -0400, John Anderson wrote:
>>I got the 3 meters or so of fuel line, but I'd like to replace the
>>clamps and they don't exactly look like the standard FLAPS clamps.
>
>
>I'm going to comment here as well, be careful which clamps you mean, VW had
>trouble with fuel line clamps as well, recalls on many cars from the late
>80's-90's.  My '90 has a neat sort of spring loaded self tightening clamp,
>not sure if they are origional or a replacement.  My personal preference as
>I mentioned is a good full stainless (Trident makes a good one if you find
>the true marine grade clamp) worm style clamp.  Don't overtighten these
>initially, snug enough just so the hose won't turn freely, then maybe come
>back a month later and give em a little snug more.  The style VW used during
>the bus years is actually an exceptional clamp as well, those ones with the
>little screw on the side, they are superior in the fact they clamp
>concentrically around the hose without pinching as a regular worm style one
>does but they rust badly and become impossible to loosen/tighten.
>McMasterr-Carr sells the Bus style as well, but they are a bit steep, like
>$1 a clamp in zinc plated, and I've never had a problem with a regular worm
>clamp as long as it is not overtightened.
>
>John
>