> Has anyone ever seen a split or leaking "hose"

Absolutely!  Some years ago the genuine VW high pressure fuel hose in my
fuel-injected Bus (same type used in a Westy) got a pinhole leak and
sprayed a huge volume of fuel all over my engine. You would not believe
how much fuel pissed out of the tiny hole! Fuel was everywhere!  It's a
high pressure system and a little hole can spray a lot of gas.  It was
sheer luck that I noticed the smell and pulled over before a drop
happened to hit something ignitable.

Check your fuel line carefully, inch by inch, and especially around
connectors or areas where it may rub against something else. As the fuel
line gets old, it is prone to cracking in the same manner that an old
tire dry-rots around the sidewall.  Don't chance it. Fuel line is cheap;
a new Vanagon (or a life!) is not.  After my experience with the pinhole
leak in my '77, I always replace all fuel line on a Bus or Vanagon
unless I know it's already been done in the not too distant past. I have
all new line in my '89 Westy already. It's just not work taking the
risk.

Fuel line: $5.95/meter
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=N0202811

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT