those narrow zip ties are 20 years old, and they just, like all plastic,
deterorate with age.  sounds like you are looking at factory installed ones
.
They always leave the long tails on too, right ?

and.......modern bargain el-cheapo no doubt made in china wire ties - I find
some that just won't really hold tightly.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Allan Streib" <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:41 PM
Subject: wimpy zip ties

> After I got my fuel tank out from under the car, I took a look around
> the area above the fuel tank -- looks very solid, no rusting on the
> floor pan or frame.  Some surface rusting on the PS and brake lines.
> Will wire brush and POR-15 those.
>
> I noticed that the AC lines are zip tied to the coolant tubes with
> very WIMPY ties.  Very narrow, and very thin.  Many are broken.  Could
> this possibly be what VW used at the factory?  Looks completely
> inadequate.  I'm going to upgrade all of those.
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL