My recently acquired '86 has the "earlier" setup, and came with 2 keys. One of them, however, is too long and there is not enough room to insert it. I guess you have to be careful about the length of the "blank" used to cut any new key.

Tom

>Subject: Info on Westy water tank keys
>   From: Steve Sandlin <vwcarlocks@HOTMAIL.COM>
>   Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 13:35:16 -0500
>     To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>With camping season upon us, Ive been getting quite a few questions on water
>tank keys, so I thought I'd post to the list.  There are 2 different types
>of fillers, taking totally different keys.  The later filler, which is all
>that is available as a replacement, uses a locking cover, and is hinged at
>the bottom.  It takes a small plastic key that is available from either
>Delta 6 or I have in stock.  It is a universal key that fits all the tanks.
>
>If you have the earlier tank filler, you'll find it hinged at the top and
>using a locking cap.  There is no universal key for this cap.  there are
>approx. a hundred different key possibilities (that I've found, anyway) for
>this cap.  There are no code numbers on the lock.  the only way to make a
>key for the lock is to have the lock in hand.  To remove the locking cap,
>you need to remove the filler from the body of the van with the 4 screws on
>the exterior.  Lifting the filler off the body will expose the fill hose.
>It may be removed from the inlet by loosening the hose clamp and sliding the
>hose off.  The rear of the cap is now exposed.  There is a 10 mm nut on the
>rear of the lock.  Once that nut is removed, the locking cam can be removed
>and the lock will fall off the front.  At this point the key may be made by
>either myself or any competent locksmith having the proper key.
>
>I hope this has clarified the procedure for anyone interested.
>
>Steve Sandlin
>Steve's Lock Shoppe
>Huntsville, TX
>'84 Wolfsburg Westy
>'79 Kombi
>"00 New Beetle
>
>
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