Date:         Mon, 18 Oct 1999 17:08:22 -0700
Reply-To:     "Johnson, Darrell" <JohnsonD@SYBRONDENTAL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Johnson, Darrell" <JohnsonD@SYBRONDENTAL.COM>
Subject:      Lower Emission Fuel, Rubber Lines, and Fuel Leaks
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello All,

All this talk about fuels and fires lead me to the Chevron website were I
discovered this note about Reformulated Gasolines, which are used in many
major cities to curb air pollution. Those of use with rubber fuel lines
ought take note:

From http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/gas_qanda/reform.html

"The rubber that is used in fuel system parts, such as seals and hoses, may
shrink, swell, or lose strength when exposed to RFG. This reaction could
cause fuel system leaks in a very small percentage of vehicles. Because RFG
differs only slightly from the gasoline that you have used in the past, auto
manufacturers do not expect RFG to cause fuel system leaks in the majority
of vehicles, particularly newer vehicles. However, if your vehicle is older
(more than 10 years old) or has high mileage (more than 100,000 miles), you
may be at greater risk of developing a fuel leak. Because fuel leaks can
cause vehicle fires, Chevron recommends that you consult a qualified auto
repair technician to discuss whether your fuel system parts should be
checked for repair or replacement. If you suspect a form of leakage, which
can often be detected by smelling gasoline at times other than when fueling,
consult a qualified auto repair technician immediately. Do not drive a
vehicle with a fuel system leak."

Darrell Johnson
'90 Vanagon Carat
Mission Viejo, CA