Date:         Mon, 6 Sep 1999 17:43:14 -0500
Reply-To:     Matt Brickell <bricknord@WEBTV.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Brickell <bricknord@WEBTV.NET>
Subject:      Newbie needs list wisdom
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII

I have been driving my new 84 Westy a lot lately, and have noticed a few
bugs that need to be worked out.  Hopefully someone here on the list can
throw some help my way.  First, and most urgent...I have noticed a gas
smell when I fill the van the whole way.  I do not fill it past the
first auto stop from the pump at all but am still getting a gas smell.
Well, today I found out why.  I noticed a small spot on the ground and
took a closer look, and I noticed a gas leak!  It is very slow but still
I am very concerned of course!  Due to the way the van was parked, it
was dripping from the driver side rear corner of the tank but the whole
ds seam was moist so I am assuming it is the welded seam or somewhere on
top of the tank and is running to the seam to the lowest point.  I have
not noticed it unless the tank is full.  What is on top of the tank that
would possibly leak?  Is it a bear to get the tank out?  I would like to
remove it to take a better look if it is not a nightmare to do.  If the
tank is bad, is there a good source for a good used or new one anyone
knows of?

The second issue, and much less urgent:  The driver's door mirror has
virtually no resistance in the mount and will not stay put in wind and
flops down all the time.  Is there a fix for this or a source for a new
mirror anyone has found?

Third:  Has anyone replaced the long AC lines that run the length of the
van?  I had an 81 Pickup (Rabbit) at one time and took the old hose to a
shop and they used the old fittings and replaced the rubber hose at low
cost, but there were a few feet of hose there, and looking at the van
hoses they must be out of this world $.  If I am going to get the AC
back on line I might as well redo the hoses unless it is cost
prohibitive in which case I will stick with natural AC ( window ).

BTW, if any readers are in the Kansas CIty area, FYI, I was at U Wrench
It today and lo and behold there was an 85 (?) Vanagon passenger van
there.  It had no engine but decent interior and all good glass,
overhead AC unit intact all dash stuff, radiator, front/rear susp etc is
all there.  A rarity in a salvage yard out here, so thought I'd give a
heads up on the off chance anyone needs it.

Thanks for any help!!

Matt Brickell
84 Vanagon Westy 1.9 WB
83 Jetta TD
86 Jetta D
Olathe, KS