In a message dated 10/08/2006 4:34:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

A couple  weeks ago I posted a fuel starvation problem
which occurred only when I was  going down hill with my
85 Westy/Subaru. Fuel pump was pumping OK; fuel  tank
was 1/4 full. As someone suggested, I filled tank and
problem went  away but it reoccures if the tank gets
much below a half.

Am I the  only one having such a problem? The fuel
connection is on the rear of the  tank but it certainly
seems it should still feed the fuel line on a  downhill
incline with six or seven gallons of fuel remaining in
the  tank.... has anyone ever remounted the tank so it
slants downward to the  rear? Is there something inside
the tank that could cause it to not feed  when going
downhill?

Any help appreciated. We live in the mountains  12
miles from town and it is a pain to only have the top
half of the  tank useable!!
Thanks...

Rod, most likely the fuel tank filter screen is  blocked and/ or the rubber
hoses in the tank are blocked.  This is a  very common problem on older
Vanagons these days.  You need a new tank and  all the parts associated with it.
There is no way to repair your tank  short of cutting it open and cleaning the
crap out and welding it back  together.  Much cheaper to install a brand new
tank.  Highly recommend  POR-15ing the new tank before installing and checking
above the tank for any  rust damage that needs attention while the tank is out
of the way.  If you  check the archives you will find this subject covered many
times.  I just  replaced two tanks for customers in the last two weeks.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
_Frank Condelli  & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007