There are check valves in the top of the overflow tanks, held in place by
grommets that fit through the top of the overflow tanks.  Very likely one of
these grommets has deteriorated to the point that gas can push past it.
Drop the tanks (don't disconnect any hoses to the tanks just yet) and look
at these grommets.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
---------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: "steve" <stevem@WWNET.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 7:18 AM
Subject: Our first BIG trip, and a minor problem.

>  and your filling
> up your gas tank. The pump makes that money sucking noise, then snap
> the pump stops. A strong oder of fuel fills your nasal cavity. You can
> feel fuel sprinkling on your ankles. You bend down to see you have a
> waterfall of fuel pouring from the bottom of your van. Yikes!!!
>
> For a brief moment I freak. I pause and think. I say to myself "I am so
> fucked"!
>
> After a few minutes it stops. I come to realize it's most likely the
> overflow or something tank. I think. I don't know I'm only guessing. I
> hosed down the bottom of the van and moved on. No problems. I never
> completely filled the tank for the remainder of the trip. So now, I
> must fix it...