Ed McLean <email99@BELLSOUTH.NET> writes:

> The problem with the "goo" coming out of the heat sleeves on Vanagon
> fuel injection lines might be related to the permeability of the fuel
> hose itself.  If a substandard hose is used, fuel might be passing
> through the walls of the hose and then remaining held in contact to
> the sides of the hose by the heat sleeves, thus causing deteriorating
> of the outer cover of the hose.

This is exactly what I was thinking.  Fuel or fuel vapor is migrating to
the surface of the hose.  In the hose sections that are exposed to air,
this evaporates away and is not noticeable.  Under the sleeves, it can't
evaporate and eventually oozes out the ends.

> Much of our gasoline today contains additional amounts of alcohol that
> will attack and cause swelling of many rubber products as we have been
> warned by some automotive manufactures.  It is more important than
> ever to use hoses with the proper specifications for use with today's
> fuels.  Many of the rubber products in our 20+ year old Vanagons were
> designed when alcohol was not a significant component in our fuel and
> therefore were not designed to stand up this new attack.

Much of the fuel around here contains up to 10% ethanol, according to
the labeling on the pumps.  This fuel hose was sold as high pressure
fuel injection line, and according to the date stamped on the side it
was made in 2007.  If manufacturers are not designing hose that can
tolerate a 10% alcohol blend which is not at all uncommon, then that is
disappointing.

> Times and fuels have changed and we must make changes in our selection
> of fuel system components to keep our buses from burning.  Make
> knowledgeable and smart decisions when replacing your fuel lines.

I am so mad about this that I'm seriously considering replumbing the
entire engine compartment with aircraft aluminum fuel tube.  The only
rubber would be from the rails to the injectors.  The current
arrangement of sleeved hoses snaking everywhere looks really amateur
anyway.

Allan
--
1991 Vanagon GL