Date:         Sun, 31 Mar 2024 01:49:54 +0000
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Proper hose Gas Tank to Vapor Tanks
In-Reply-To:  <421648421.2129391.1711840764696@mail.yahoo.com>
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 OK, I think I've got some answers (with help from friends):  The proper hose is 5.5 mm ID.  And why is the thing segmented between soft rubber then hard plastic and back again to soft rubber?  Check out the pic Van Cafe provided at the bottom of their ad:  https://vancafe.com/complete-2wd-fuel-tank-reseal-kit.../
You will notice from that picture that a few inches after soft rubber hose leaves Vapor Tank and turns into hard plastic on its way to Crossover Fitting, it is in close proximity or actually rubbing on the frame!  I think VW Engineers did the same solution as they did from Fuel Tank to Engine:  if possibility of rubbing, use hard plastic.  Might have also had some manufacturing advantages much like how they added the engine firewall plastic fitting--to make it easier and faster to assemble at the factory.
I am leaning toward a 1-piece 5.5 mm ID rubber tube all the way, to eliminate 2 clamps and potential leak points.  But, as I install, I will add a "sacrificial" section of larger rubber hose over the 5.5 mm hose in the section that crosses nearby vibrating metal frame.  I still haven't made up my mind....after all, I still have the hose clamps and the plastic section anyway.



    On Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 04:19:24 PM PDT, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:  
 
 I'm getting ready to remove my gas tank and the 2 Vapor Expansion Tanks in wheel wells (because some welding nearby is soon going to occur).  My question:  what is the proper rubber hose to use?  I think it is 7mm ID; I think it is just normal gasoline rated hose, not the high pressure stuff for fuel injection.  I think (I don't have my van right now to look at it) is cloth braided on the outside....the only function I can perceive is that the cloth braid serves as some kind of "impact absorber" from all the gravel bits flying up in there.  Extra Bonus Question:  where do I buy this hose?....I think I only need a few feet of it.....also, why is there a rubber section from Crossover Tube, then a plastic section, then another rubber section?  Why wasn't it all one piece?