Screens are in the tanks for two reasons, one is to trap any big crud that
may get in there. The other is prevent a vortex effect at the fuel outlet
pipe. The tank actually has a sort of sump or trap area near the inlet that
is also kept filled by the fuel return. The FI pumps move a lot of fuel.
This makes the fuel pick up some engine heat. The inlet restriction can be a
problem at higher fuel temps with even a new filter. I sort of learned about
this with my first motor home that liked to vapor lock and actually fried a
pump at less than 40K. Ford had the TSB that upgraded the pump, gauge
sensor, and the fuel inlet sump and screen. Since I wasn't the original
owner, I had to pay for that adventure. It cured the problem though.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Frank Condelli
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 6:42 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Fuel filter

In a message dated 16/08/2006 12:08:24 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

I posed  this question a while back and the responses were similar.  Seems
we
have a bit of a dilemma.  As our vehicles approach 20+ years the  threat of
rust and crud in the pump increases while a pre-pump filter can  create the
aforementioned restriction issue.  I'm wondering if the  restriction issue
is
only a problem once the filter starts to clog.   If so, seems you could have
the best of both worlds by changing it  frequently.  I guess the question is
at what interval and how do you  know when it needs to be changed before you
encounter running  problems?  Assuming the condition of all tanks and the
amount of  contaminants varies from van to van.  But I guess for $5 for a
square  filter you could order a stash and keep them on hand without too
much
expense.  Seems like cheap insurance for the expensive pump and  round
filter.

Mike, your right on the money.  Exactly what I  do and was going to write.
Even though I recently installed a new tank on  my Westy and do not have the
problem of rust in my tank, not yet anyays, I still  run both filters and
recommend to all my customers to do the same for the above  mentioned
reasons.  One
way to tell when it's time to change that small  plastic filter before the
pump is to get accustomed to the noise your pump makes  with a new filter
then
when that noise changes it's time to change the  filter.  Restricted fuel
flow
causes the pump to strain and make more  noise.  Otherwise just change them
at
regular intervals.  When  removing them it will be evident how much crud
they
have collected and you can  base your change intervals on that information.
Just a note for those  wanting all the info.  With the above to filters in
place your Vanagon now  has three filtering devices of the fuel.  The screen
in
the tank, the small  plastic box one between the tank and the pump and the
metal
can one between the  pump and the injectors.  Overkill ?  Maybe but it has
worked for  me.  I would like to recommend the screen in the tank be removed
as
it's  pretty useless as there is no way to clean it other than changing
tanks.
  Why the manufacturer put the screen in there in the first place is beyond
my  comprehension.  A filter at the tank exit would have sufficed !
Whether
or not the new tanks we're getting have screens is a question that has  not
been answered yet.  Vendors have you any info on this ?  The ones  I get
from CIP
made in Taiwan look to have the metal plate inside that hide the  screen
like
the original tanks but wether or not there is a screen in there  cannot be
see without cutting open the tank.  I sure would like to know and  recommend
to
the manufacture to LEAVE THE SCREEN OUT PLEASE !

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