Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 22:14:18 -0600
Reply-To: KW <kokopelli@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From: KW <kokopelli@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 81 Westy- gas tank full o'schmutz - LONG
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi Mike,
My 82 was doing the same thing. When I bought the van, the PO guy said
not to overfill it. While driving home I ran out of gas. The PO was
obviously hiding the fact that the gas tank was rusted through. When I
filled it the first time, gas flowed everywhere.
I ended up replacing the tank with a junkyard tank and now I do not have
big rust wholes but I did have the symptoms you describe. I have
internal rust. I pulled the tank and took it in but the design is Bad.
You see the tank actually has a small reservoir area where the fuel line
sucks up fuel. It is at the very lowest part of the tank and is
isolated from the rest of the tank by a steel wall with a small center
hole to allow gas in. Look under the vehicle at the tank. The
concentric rings in the middle of the bottom of the tank is this
isolated area.
Part 1
I believe that when the tanks sit for extended periods (as in a junkyard
or someone's backyard) that moisture collects in the tank and condenses
through temperature changes and seasonally. The water then collects in
the bottom of the tank and drains into this low area.
Now we have water down in that little circular area of the water tank.
Over time the steel oxidizes and you have rust near the pick up to the
fuel lines.
The rust goes into the line and blocks the filter. I went through
about three filters in 2000 miles. Like three weeks for one.
OK what to do. (Or what I did, YMMV and all disclaimers) I pulled the
tank this last spring. You're replacing all those bizarre fuel vent
lines and gaskets anyway right??
I took the tank to a tank repair shop, they couldn't figure out what to
do. The upper interior of the tank was very clean with little rust.
They wanted to cut a new whole and put in a new pick up tube. I said
no! They did not want to coat the inside since all the vent and return
lines could be plugged.
I took it to a car wash and shot the high pressure wand through the
little whole into the lower rusted section. Chunks of rust came flying
out. I did this until I felt I had removed enough rust and
debris. I let it dry in the sun for days while I replaced all fuel lines
and gaskets.
PART 2
By the way, the gaskets may have contributed to this demise. When I
pulled the expansion tanks in the wheel wells to replace those hoses I
realized the seals on top of these tanks were bad which had allowed
water from wheel spray to enter the expansion tank which as you know
drains back into the gas tank. MORE WATER and dirt IN TANK which plugs
filters. More rust potential.
When I replaced the tank some debris was in the inlet line from the high
pressure shower. I blew it back into the tank using a bicycle pump. It
took a good 45 - 50 psi to move the blockage.
I have driven now all summer maybe 2000 miles and changed it one time.
Hopefully the debris is mostly gone. A new tank would be cool though.
Good luck. Your condition sounds very similar. Sorry so long.
--
Ken Wyatt
82 Westy
Salt Lake City, UT
