OK, I'm going to assume I'm in good shape then... I've got an '85 with the 
pre-pump filter, I've got a receipt showing a gas tank replacement in 98 
(before I bought it), and I've got a spare filter in the chest under the 
back seat... Must be why my pump has stayed quiet so far. :-)

At 01:46 PM 10/8/2004 -0600, jimt wrote:
>On 10/8/04 1:38 PM, "Tim Demarest" <tim.demarest@pobox.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > I only have an '85 to look at (square plastic filter, upstream from pump,
> > inlet & outlet different sizes).
> >
> > So, the later ones only have a filter *after* the fuel pump? Could this be
> > why I hear so much about fuel pump failures?
> >
> > Just curious...
> >
> > Tim
> >
> >
> > At 01:05 PM 10/8/2004 -0600, jimt wrote:
> >> On 10/8/04 11:38 AM, "Pascal Giasson" <pascal.giasson@GNB.CA> wrote:
> >>
> >>> While were on the subject of these fuel filters, is there any 
> advantage or
> >>> dissadvantage to intalling one of these metal filters on an '84 that only
> >>> has the plastic square type located before the fuel pump?
> >>>
> >>> Pascal
> >>> '84 Westy
> >>>
> >>>
> >> Not really.  If you check the ETKA and dealer books you find that the 
> later
> >> ones shipped with two filters but the first filter was replaced with a 
> piece
> >> of hose on its first inspection.  The later tank also had a different 
> sized
> >> outlet hole so that could be done.
> >>
>
>To me it is.  There is just too much stuff in a 20 year old tank that can
>start raising havoc with the very fine tolerances of the fuel pumps.  The
>strange part is that I have seen many more fuel pump failures in the later
>vanagaon than in the earlier.  This may be because I have seen more of the
>later though.  I have seen more supposed early vanagon fuel pump failures
>cured when I changed the fuel filter.  With my tank still probably having
>some contamination in it I carry two filters and listen for the sound of a
>straining fuel pump.  But it has been over 6 months so I think I am back on
>a fairly clean tank again.
>����������������������������������������
>jimt
>Planned insanity is best.
>Remember that sanity is optional.
>http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
>http://www.westydriver.com