Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:58:16 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: leaking gas when engine is on (long)
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I might have missed it, but so far, I don't see if this is a 2WD vanagon, or
a Syncro, or an air-cooled one, or what.
but, assuming it's a 2WD waterboxer vanagon - there is one spot that they
commonly leak at.
on the firewall, near the air filter and throttle body, you will see a white
plastic 'firewall fuel fitting.'
Inevitably, a small fuel leak starts on the 'other' side of it, on the
starter side of the firewall.
the original fuel hose is crimped onto the plastic hose nipple there.
they like to leak there.
here's the repair :
it's hard to get up in there somewhat, and the van needs to be jacked up
nicely, but get under there, cut that metal crimp type clamp off,
and pull off the fuel hose. Stick a bolt in it to keep junk out and from
fuel spilling. It might be under a little pressure at first, but no need to
be scared of that unless you are smoking - a joke. Ye best not be smoking
near gasoline. heck, I had a gas station attended walk up to me smoking a
cigarette while I was fueling my van one time - yikes !
anyway, get that hose off there.
undo the engine side hose from the plastic fire wall fitting.
Remove the plastic firewall fitting, and put it somewhere to just 'remember'
it now and then.,
you next task, is to connect the fuel hose from the engine, directly to the
black plastic fuel 'pipe' that's above the starter.
Look way up in there, and undo that little clip holding the black plastic
fuel line in place, you want it down lower.
then remove the 2 inch long piece of fuel hose that's on the black plastic
line.,
lastly , connect the engine fuel hose directly to the black plastic fuel
line. Use a good hose clamp. The typical # 4 amercian type small hose clamp
cuts into the fuel hose. those are not the best. I get, and sell, 'the
perfect' very german, super well made, can't cut into the hose, hose clamp
of the right size.
I strongly suggest just let the new hose and line ride below the firewall.
People run that through the hole in the firewall with a rubber grommet
there. There is totally no reason to put the hose through a hole, and then
protect it from the hole itself, when it can more easily hang gently in
space where you can watch it and reach it, and there's nothing to wear on it
that way.
Secure it with a wire tie to something in the area if necessary, something
soft.
there are two general ways to mount things ..........super solid,
and 'semi-soft.'
The principle of the reed raft, like the Kon Tiki, is that there is nothing
solid enough for waves to bash on and cause damage. I commonly use this
principle in mounting things ........a bit 'soft' . Plus they are easier to
inspect that way, and to work on.
but do check that one spot.
they leak intermittently.
I have seen a case where fuel was smelled, nothing was found, the owner
didn't carry a fire extinguisher, somewhere later miles down the road - 'no
mas' on that syncro westy ! - and likely, it was that spot.
fwiw, I do not absolutely believe that 'all new fuel hoses' is always the
best thing. It's possible to get fuel injection hose that is not really the
right thing.
It's possible to do poor work replacing 'all hoses' ......
my preferred method, is replace what is weak and worn, keep an eye on the
rest.
Actually .............
if one wants to keep ones van for as long as possible, the goal is not to
try to not work on it. What works better is to inspect and work on it on a
very regular basis - that way you catch things before they fail.
Like race cars - racing machines are worked on extensively and continuously
......before every race - that is how you get something complex and
mechanical to last well, you inspect it, upgrade it, repair it, on a very
regular basis.
I do leave 'welll enough alone' too. Many's the time I though I could
make something that was just 5 % short of perfect, perfect with just a small
tweak. An hour later I wished I hadn't touched it. There's that too, knowing
when to leave things as they are. And always keep an eye on things. 'Visual
Inspection' is often worth a lot !
have fun !
stay cozy !
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sheilah Rogers" <sheilah@SHEILAH.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 9:44 AM
Subject: leaking gas when engine is on (long)
wow you all, thanks for the warm welcomes.
i went down a rabbit hole yesterday for a solid few hours, checking out
websites from your various sig lines. my oh my, i've been pretty hands off
with my own Vanna (ack! six other Vanna White's!), though i have tricked out
her interior and am told, she's quite comfy.
but you all made me wish i had one of those fancy garages where i can get
all greasy and such. but alas i'm a city dweller with a rented carport and
don't know jack about any of it.
short of fixing my GAS problem myself for fun, i might ask my mechanic if
he'd allow me the opportunity to get under the van with him and see where
all these gas lines are. (he might consider this a customer nightmare, nice
as i am. we'll see. i'm open.)
so that's my main problem right now. gas lines.
i couldn't find anything on leaky gas lines though my review of these
websites though. all i know is that there's apparently a bunch of gas hoses
(two off each reservoir x2, from the main tank to the engine). all in all, i
hear there's about 12 or so.
this might explain why i keep driving off in Vanna only to find her leaking
gas from different hoses. eek! i want this remedied already!
i (perhaps erroneously) figure that if all these hoses are about due to
leak, then why not replace them ALL at once. isn't that somehow cheaper
(certainly less of a headache) than one by one they begin a'leaking? cuz
i've already had 4 leaks and it blows.
fwiw, i've already had done the fuel tank reseal (april 2009)
so the other concern i have is that i need to get Vanna out of a basement
garage, where no tow (or fire engine for that matter) can fit in. so i'm
about to get in there myself, and per a friend's instruction:
1/ bring flash light, eye protection, hand protection.
2/ start engine, find leak. tshirts or rags to wrap gas leak, duct tape the
rag, or direct duct tape if possible.
3/ roll it to the hill inside garage with the engine off.
4/ drive it up the hill with friend standing by with a fire extinguisher
while i drive up the hill. (gas hopefully held in by rags and duct tape.
gawd, i love duct tape)
5/ cut engine at top of hill. then roll it out of garage to a tow-able
place. (tow trucks don't fit in this garage)
6/ disconnect battery so engine won't start. remove gas rags.
7/ call tow. tell them engine won't start. tow to mechanic.
ALTERNATIVELY
1/ i've heard it's actually not hard at all to replace a gas line myself and
have at it.
SOOOOOOOO
the reason why i'm posting all this is that i'm afraid that the engine will
catch on fire. i suppose i might be too paranoid about this, but a little
personal detail about me is that i'm one of those kids that managed to start
a big ol' kitchen fire (boiling oil) so now i'm ahem, weary of fire. ha!
so anyways, does my plan sound safe?
(sorry for the long post)
s.=
