Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:39:49 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: check your firewall fuel line fittings! the 2nd main cause
of engine fires
In-Reply-To: <010501c966f1$7793b490$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I had a problem with this fitting location a couple of months ago. The 2
to 3 inch hose connecting the fitting to the fuel line from the pump
begain to leak. No way ot get at it except to remove the plastic piece
from the firewall and pull it forward sufficiently to take out the
offending short piece of hose. I figured since it was out, it was time
to re-arrange the plumbing. I just put the end of the new hose on the
fuel line from the pump, ran the new fewl hose under the firewall and
tied it off, tightened the clamps, and was good to go. That fitting
thing is a royal PITA. I promise you it will fail every time at the most
inconvenient time - middle of the night in a storm halfway between
Somewhere and Nowhere, Texas or Oklahoma o similar spot. Always works
that way. Mine started spraying fuel as I pulled into a parking spot on
the should4er of a road in front of an art show. I didn't know where it
was leaking at the time, didn't have time to check it out 'cause I had
to do set up for the show which started in a couple of hours, so after
the show closed, and I'm loading up, I could take the time to look. it
was dark by then, but I had a flashlight, so got some help with simply
turning on the ignition to activate the fuel pump to pressure the
system. In the dark with the flash light on it, I could just barely see
a tiny stream spewing from under the firewall. below the plastic
firewall fitting. I had no tools, it was dark, it was cold, it was
beginning to rain, and everyone else was gone but me. I bit the bullet
and called a tow truck. Cost me $150 to get her home. The next day -
having access to materials and tools, I fixed the problem in an hour. .
Like I said. What a PITA! I try to stay up on this fuel hose bid'ness
but this one caught me by surprise - and off balance. If you have not
already replaced that little short hose and the plastic fitting, do it
now and save a hassle - maybe even a fire.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> even easier than that is just remove the firewall fitting......
> and clamp the hose from the engine side, right onto the plastic fuel line
> coming from the fuel pump.
> that's one junction.
>
> if you install a metal pipe, you have 3 junctions.......like it did
> stock.
> I've done it the way I mention above, many times..........never a
> problem.
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <JordanVw@AOL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, December 25, 2008 12:17 PM
> Subject: check your firewall fuel line fittings! the 2nd main cause of
> engine fires
>
>
>> its christmas , i am sick with the flu, and so i am going thru old
>> emails..
>>
>> just a friendly reminder..
>>
>> in addition to old cracked rubber fuel lines, the 2nd main cause of
>> vanagon
>> engine fires is the plastic fitting that carries fuel thru the van's
>> firewall.
>> they get old and brittle and crack from vibration etc.
>>
>> it was a dumb idea on vw's part to make this piece out of plastic.
>>
>> anyway replace it with some metal fuel line..for piece of mind.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> **************
>> One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail,
>> Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now.
>> (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&
>> icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000025)
>
>
| 
