In this weather the old coolant hoses on my syncro leak just enough that I
have to do the refill and bleed procedure every two weeks. (Yes this spring
they will all get replaced, thanks to the new job and more $). Last Friday
afternoon, (about 6 degrees F at the time, it had been -4 in Zelienople PA
in the morning) standing at the back of the van watching the coolant
reservoir, I was in the process of letting the van warm up to bleed when the
distinctive odor of gasoline hit my nose. Looking down, I saw gas dripping
from the fuel pressure regulator right side hose. Sprang to the front and
turned off the key, and returned to watch the drip, drip, drip, slow down. I
grabbed the hose and it twisted easily in my hand, more fuel spilling out. I
cut off the factory crimped clamp and installed a stainless hose clamp over
the stainless sleeve remaining on the fuel hose. Turned the key to the run
position and no more leaks for now. Checked the other hoses there, all tight
for now. Besides the fact that next spring/summer I have to replace every
hose there is, I have once again been reminded that in this cold weather
things that work perfectly fine 15 degrees warmer won't make it when it is
15 degrees colder. If you've been a negligent owner like I have, Beware.
Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Robert Freeman
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 8:45 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Danger from the cold

 I took my '91 Westy up into British Columbia after xmas for a week of
skiing.  One night when temps were about -20C I was driving down into town
for dinner (Rossland BC) and the car was stalling on me.  I managed to get
it to a parking space near where I was going, but when I came out after it
wouldn't start again.  I tried several times and it would catch and run for
a bit and then die.  I guessed that there might be water in the fuel line
that had frozen.  Then I smelled fuel.  Got out and looked under with a
flashlight and sure enough, drip drip drip.  I just left it there and walked
back to where I was staying.  Next day was sunday so no getting it fixed
then.  Monday morning I had it towed to a local garage.  He found the fuel
line had split near where it enters a valve near the firewall.  He cut off
the bad part and reattached it with a clamp.  All he could do at the time.
I will get all the lines replaced soon though.  Nearly had a vehicle flambe.
The lesson is if you have not replaced your fuel lines in the last 5 years,
there is no time like now.  By the way, the car started easily and ran great
otherwise, but I sure had a hard time getting it to warm up in that cold.
We drove in all our ski clothes most of the time.

Bob Freeman
Seattle