Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:12:23 -0400
Reply-To: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Replaced Fuel Lines
In-Reply-To: <191a01cb3b3d$8fb15b00$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
I just finished replacing the underside fuel hoses and clamps on my '87
Westy (I had done the entire engine bay area last fall).
I was having a little trouble removing the last one; the short piece
between the fuel pump outlet and the fuel filter inlet, when suddenly the
plastic nipple broke completely off of the pump; AARRGGHH!!
Didn't someone recently mention that the Mercedes pump is identical and
priced cheaper?
Mike B.
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 7:16 PM
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Re: Replaced Fuel Lines
> I hope you got rid of the notorious firewall fitting Kevin.
>
> no need for that part on the van at all.
>
> for those that are 'all paranoid' because they have not replaced their
> fuel
> hoses ..
> here's what I do ..
> the weak spots are the ends of the hoses , where the hose clamps are.
>
> the original style 'crimp' hose clamps ...I don't trust those too much.
> and ...'where they usually leak first' is on the transmission side of the
> firewall at that firewall fitting ..
> it goes : plastic firewall fitting, then a two inch hose, then the plastic
> black fuel line .
>
> right where it goes from hose to plastic line, with a crimp type hose
> clamp..that is where they usually leak first that I have seen
> seen that a number of times actually.
> what I do is go around the firewall fitting, connoting the engine hose (
> from the 'T' with fuel pressure testing port on top of it ) ...connect
> that
> hose directly to the black plastic fuel line above the starter .
>
> Drives me nuts that people want to run that hose through the hole in the
> firewall and protect the hose from the metal of the hole edge with a
> grommet
> when there is no reason to run the hose through that hole in the first
> place
> !!
> like why protect it going through a metal hole it doesn't even need to go
> through ??? duh.
>
> so I just run the hose through that big fat space next to the bell
> housing.
> I arrange it so I can see the hose-to-pipe junction..so I can glance at
> it
> any time I'm by the engine.
> I sometimes use two hose clamps there.
> I like good german screw type hose clamps..
> and probably..
> the best ones are a 'band clamp' with a regular small screw that squeezes
> the whole thing around the hose ...they come in regular corrosion treated
> metal or stainless.
>
> where I see original crimp type hose clamps ..
> I cut those off and put on good screw clamps.
> if the end of the hose is buggered up some, I cut a half inch off to get a
> fresh new end.
>
> I was replacing hoses on a 91 syncro ....whole new engine installation,
> etc...
> the original hose ..
> that stuff is so tough it looks like you could tow a car with it.
> I doubt most hose that people are going to get at a FLAPS is as good
> really.
>
> if anything is weak, it's the ends of the hoses where the clamps are ..
> the clamps themselves ....like those crimp style ones ...( they can be
> tightened up ) ..
> and that firewall fitting.
> that you really want to bypass and get rid of.
> the hoses themselves..
> if original, most of the time they are pretty good yet, just keep an eye
> on
> the ends of them ..
> and make sure you have the correct type hose clamps .
>
> my least favorite hose clamp is the typical american small # 4 type..they
> cut into the hose badly ..
> very poor workmanship to use those in my opinion.
> you know what I say a lot ..
> it's not that new parts where installed...that's not 'it' at all...it's
> with
> what WORKMANSHIP they were installed with that really matters.
> I see hoses replaced with the fuel pressure testing port put somewhere
> where
> you can't access it ..dumb stuff like that ..or those small pinchy # 4
> amelican hose clamps used that cut into the hose surface badly.
>
> fwiw, a GW hose kit includes crimp style hose clamps which they say are
> superior ..
> personally, I like a clamp with a smooth underside, not sharp edges and
> some
> screw arrangement since you can check out tight it is, or undo it to take
> things apart etc.
>
> I'm real big on keeping the stock hose coverings on too.
> or some cover ..even heater hose ..
> just seems like they should be protected, particularly on the engine.
>
> and of course, you gotta carry a good fire extinguisher where you can get
> to
> it NOW ...
> not dig under the seat for it.
> I have gotten maybe 6 to 8 vehicle fires out in the last 40 years or so,
> possibly more, and in every case I got it out in the first 30 seconds , or
> even less. That's critical and key ..
> once a nice fire gets going it's bye bye vanagon, but caught and stopped
> right away, not even a big deal.
>
> diesel vans are susceptible to fire as well, usually from electrical
> issues.
> Seen that for sure.
>
> and if a VW is over 20 years old, you should have two fire extinguishers.
> yeah ..that's my rule............one fire extinguisher on board , easy to
> reach in a hurry , for each 10 years of VW vehicle age.
>
> and if you see any Halon extinguishers ( a banned substance for
> greenhouse
> effect reasons ) ..you want one.
> I used one recently ..that stuff is Magic !
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kevin Gilbert" <kggilbert@MYACTV.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 3:33 PM
> Subject: Replaced Fuel Lines
>
>
>> Vanderers,
>>
>> For those who appreciate such news, I replaced the engine compartment
>> fuel lines today. Later this weekend I'll move forward with new lines.
>>
>> I hope to drive fire-free another few years. Done the job twice in 20
>> years, should have been thrice.
>>
>> For those who know they should replace their aging fuel lines, just do
>> it. No special tools, just some smarts, patience, and an afternoon.
>>
>> Peace (of mind...)
>>
>> Kevin
>> '84 Westy
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