Jeff are you sure you got the right tank? I too ordered a
replacement tank for an earlier van but I was told (after it
was shipped) that the old tanks were not made any more. I
went to the tater filler neck on the new tank and that fixed
everything.

Now, for the life of me I can't rember if the newer tanks
had larger or smaller openings... but it SOUNDS like the
same problem.

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 01:51:17 -0400
>From: Jeff Strickrott <jstric01@CS.FIU.EDU>
>Subject: 82 Vanagon Gas Tank Seal/Installation Question
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>Hi All:
>
>I just received the 68 mm opening replacement gas tank for
my 82
>Vanagon. This tank is designed for the 68 mm fuel filler
grommet for use
>with the 58 mm fuel filler tube. I noticed that the new
rubber grommet
>(VW part # 251-201-139) does not fit as tightly in the
nominally 68 mm
>fuel tank opening as it does on the old tank. The metal
fuel filler
>tube, when fitted into the new grommet on the new tank,
seems to have
>more play and does not appear that it will seal
completely.  I measured
>the new tank opening with a pair of calipers and it is 69.6
mm as
>compared to the old tank at 68.2 mm. Thus the new tank
allows the
>grommet to move more and hence does not appear to fit as
tightly around
>the fuel filler tube.
>
>Anyone know what type of sealant I could use that will stay
flexible to
>ensure that the tank does not leak around the grommet?
>Bentleys also indicates that the grommets on the gas and
vent tanks
>should be "sealed if necessary". Anyone know what VW
originally used?
>
>When I pulled the caps to the vent tanks, I noticed a tar
like substance
>around the cap, presumably sealing it. Reminded me of some
of the
>roofing tar that they use under shingles. Any idea if this
is what was
>originally used?
>
>Thanks for the help in advance.
>
>Regards,
>--Jeff Strickrott
>82 Westy, South Florida