Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:23:01 -0400
Reply-To: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Gas Tank Blowing Fuel Out When Filled
In-Reply-To: <4a70cb9a.27b38c0a.7224.fffffb6d@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Well tonight myself and the mechanic examined everything on the tank
and lines.
We replaced all the lines with new lines and used fuel injector clamps
on all the lines to be sure nothing was going to slip off.
I followed the suggestion of a Samba poster (http://home.earthlink.net/%7Emark.cumnock/westfalia/id34.html
)
who had done this job and was kind of enough to post some detail
images of the work. It helped a lot.
Using his suggestion we removed all the rubber grommets (minus the
cross over tube units as those were in very tightly and we did not
want to disturb it since it looked fine), we installed new grommets
where needed and added some Gasoline resistant RTV, that is also non-
hardening and pliable it helps cut down on future shrinkage on the
grommets. (So the author wrote, sounded like a sound idea so I
followed his suggestion.)
My tank was new as of last year I and used Herculiner on it. It looked
like the day it was installed, no change, no rust what so ever.
Perfect. I highly recommend it.
1st thing we noticed. The large rubber grommet that fuel tank filler
plastic goes into was torn on the inner part of the rubber. No wonder
it would leak on filling to the top!
2nd, there was no sealant on any of the grommets so I could see how
it might come loose.
3rd, thing we observed is that the other hose connector from the
filler neck that goes to the top of the tank, the rubber grommet was
totally loose and was not a tight connection.
The hoses all looked to be in good shape but I felt that since we had
already taken the tank down its a good time replace everything. So
that is what I did. I went to Autozone and grabbed low pressure 55lb
max lines.
I noticed that from the tank to the expansion tanks it had this hard
plastic line that went between the two tanks connected via other
rubber tubes. I was not crazy about this as myself and the mechanic
felt it lead to possible multiple points of failure so we replaced it
all with the 3/16th line.
Every hose got a clamp to be sure it went nowhere.
Tomorrow we reinstall it and see how it went. I will take photos of
everything to show you the results.
Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions and support.
Robert
NY
On Jul 29, 2009, at 6:21 PM, Max Wellhouse wrote:
> I had this happen several years ago and long enough ago that I don't
> specifcally rememberr what I did to rmedy it, but the cause was the
> clogged vent pipe that runs right under the filler nozzle. I think I
> had sealed a connection with some siliicone and it swelled up
> blocking the airflow or something like that. MOTS: Don't silicone
> your fuel lines!!
>
> DM&FS
>
> At 04:38 PM 7/29/2009, Robert Stewart wrote:
>> I replaced the tank at the time of the installation of the kit. I
>> have
>> a feeling they screwed something up.
>>
>> My mechanic upstate here is going to look at the tank either tonight
>> or later this week.
>>
>> I really think it has got to be something simple. It has a new tank
>> that is not even a year old, the new tank seal kit and all new fuel
>> lines. So to me it sounds like a improperly installed component or
>> possibly a bad hose to or from the expansion tanks.
>>
>> Thanks Ken.
>>
>> Robert
>> NY
>>
>> On Jul 29, 2009, at 9:44 AM, Ken Wilford wrote:
>>
>>> Robert,
>>>
>>> It sounds like either an improper install or a rust hole in the top
>>> of the gas tank. What I normally do is fill the tank and then feel
>>> on the top of the tank to find the leak. It is possible that they
>>> didn't tighten up something properly and it popped off during the
>>> fill up. Let me know if I can help you further.
>>>
>>> Ken Wilford
>>> John 3:16
>>> www.vanagain.com
>>>
>>>
>>> Robert Stewart wrote:
>>>> So I had an one of my old mechanics in NYC install the Vanagain Gas
>>>> Tank Seal Kit. Either they did not do the job right or something
>>>> else
>>>> is wrong.
>>>>
>>>> Every time I fill the tank and let the gas stations pump auto shut
>>>> off
>>>> when filled it blows of out of the bottom near the rail that mounts
>>>> the tank on the passenger side. I can see the fuel spill out and
>>>> down
>>>> the rail onto the floor. It's not a huge amount but it is
>>>> dangerous I
>>>> want to solve the problem.
>>>>
>>>> Could it be that they did not install one of the 3 rubber grommets
>>>> properly?
>>>>
>>>> Or Could it be something with the expansion tanks that link to the
>>>> gas
>>>> tank?
>>>>
>>>> Looking for suggestions...
>>>>
>>>> The strange thing about this issue was the first time I filled up
>>>> after it was just installed it did not blow out, but all fill ups
>>>> after did!
>>>>
>>>> Strange.
>>>>
>>>> Any help would be appreciated as always.
>>>>
>>>> Robert
>>>> Bloomingburg NY
>>>> 88 Wolfsburg, Silver
>>>> 239,700 miles - automatic
>>>> AIM: rmstewart@mac.com
