this happens to me sometimes.  It was a defective pump.  The pump
didn't allow air to exit the tank as you pumped gas in.  The build up
of pressure would trigger some type of mechanism in the pump that
automaticaly shuts it off.  Now the problem with the syncro vanagon
could easily be the way the filler tube is shaped.  Maybe the opening
is too small or something so it presses up against the pump and nozzle
in such a way that it forms a tight seal.  Your best bet is to pull
the retractable plastic around the nozzle towards you with one hand
and hold the trigger with the other.  Always worked for me, it leaves
a gap between the filler and the foreskin of the nozzle.  (filler is
the metal part that is in contact with the gas cap.) (forfeskin is
some word I came up with for the plastic part that surounds the nozzle
and is shaped like an accordian so it can fold up and/or retract)
(nozzle is that metal pipe that's the part that is inserted into the
filler)  What you do is pull back on that retractive plastic that's
accordian shaped.  Remember to leave a gap.

------Original Message------
From: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: September 26, 2000 4:35:22 AM GMT
Subject: Re: 87 Synchro, Gas Filling Shuts off too early

I believe I read about this problem a year or two ago on the list.
I think I remember there being talk about a VW recall on this issue...
due to an incorrect fuel hose, I think...
Check the archives.

Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: Mick Kalber
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2000 8:12 PM
Subject: Re: 87 Synchro, Gas Filling Shuts off too early

Tom...

I have had the same problem with my syncro and have posted it to the
list, but no one ever responds... I figured I was the only one with
the problem.  It fills about 3/4 of the way as you said and then
clicks off... further attempts to fill make it click off immediately.
But I can fill it if I go excruciatingly slowly... so slowly you can
count the pennies go by.  Takes forever.  With an attendant I can
imagine it's even a worse headache.

Anybody have any suggestions?
Mick Kalber

89 Syncro Westy "Daddy-O"
Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
62 Halaulani Place    Hilo, Hawaii  96720
ph. 808-935-5557    fax 808-935-0066
hotlava@interpac.net
www.volcanoscapes.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Tom Salicos
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2000 3:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 87 Synchro, Gas Filling Shuts off too early

Garsh, my first posting!

I have an '87 Westy Synchro and if I don't tell the attendant to top
it off, I wind up with 3/4 or less of a tank full.  I don't do it
myself because Oregon has laws against self-serve  (Suicide is legal
here, but pumping our own gas is not).

Is this a known problem?

Tom Salicos
'87 Westy
'76 Std Bug

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