Ron

    Did you stop at the click or really fill it up like you said? Had mine
down 2 weekends ago and I'm not really impressed with engineering of the
whole mess mess under there and I too filled it way up, the second time I
stopped at the second click.

Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: <rhill@ANIMAL.MYLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2000 6:04 PM
Subject: I'm in trouble again....fuel tank leak

> Volks,
>
> After finally getting the correct fillerneck seal (after a three week wait
> and then getting the wrong seal I ordered it from the local VW dealer and
> had it in a few days) I dropped the fuel tank on the 81 Westy this weekend
> and installed new seals, grommets and ventilation hoses. Everything was
new
> except the fuel gauge seal and the pressure equalization hose and tees.
>
> Dropping the fuel tank and reinstalling it really isn't such a bad job,
> once you understand how everything works. But of course, just like most
> other kinds of experience, once you get it the need is almost always gone.
>
> Well things were cooking along pretty well, did all the honey do's, and
> still had time to get everything back together before dark on Sunday
> afternoon.  I was just proud as punch, after making sure all 24 of those
> 5/8 inch screw clamps were nice and tight, I put the two gallons of gas
> that I had drained out of the tank back in and she cranked just a pretty
as
> you please. I had even remembered to hook the gas gauge back up.  So, I
> went in, cleaned up and had the celebratory beer or four.
>
> I wish I could stop here and tell you all that things were great with the
> Westy and brag about what a great mechanic I am. But, no one promised me
it
> would be easy, this Vanagon ownership thing and at least, now I do  know
> how to drop a gas tank......experience is a great thing.
>
> Well, now I'm at the corner Conoco pumping that baby just as full as I
> could get her, after all I did have new seals and grommets.  Waltzed right
> in and paid for my $19.00 worth of 87 octane dead dinosaur juice and then,
> half way back to the Vanagon I saw it, but it couldn't be, probably just a
> wet spot on the pavement, AC condensation from the last land yacht to fill
> up, I knew it couldn't be gas leaking from my beloved Vanagon, not with
new
> seals and grommets.  But it was, leaking like hell.
>
> I could feel gasoline around the tank grommet that is just beneath the
> drivers seat.  As this is the highest point on that side of the tank,
logic
> tells me it has to be coming from the tee or the grommet.  The grommet is
> new so I think it is the tee.
>
> Am I on the right track, is there anything else I should look for first.
> Hellllllp.
>
> Thanks in advance for the great advise I always get from this list.
>
> Ron Hill
> Macon GA
> 81 Westy
>
> PS: I can't wait until I get enough of that experience to respond to some
> of the questions from guys like me.
>