Sheila,

I bet you can con, I mean convince some other listees like BenT & Mike  
Miller,  or some other volks, etc. to come over & push Vanna out in  
the garage where they can tow it up out of the Garage, once you have  
drained the gas tank?  Then AAA can tow it to BenT's, I mean your  
favorite mechanic's shop???

YMMV,

Mr. BZ-no need to thank moi guys!

On Dec 10, 2009, at 4:02 PM, Sheilah Rogers wrote:

> thanks to everyone for helpful urls, offers of help, and sound  
> advice. i've printed a bunch out as a check off list. also printed  
> out the rescue squad url. wowza, that's a good one to keep in Vanna.
>
> thanks to all your comments, i'm now opting to NOT start the engine  
> to see the leak (rapid dripping, not spurting) which appears to be  
> over the engine (though could have been traveling down a hose, like  
> it did in the past). still, what's visible is too close to the  
> engine for my personal comfort, plus you all had a lot to say about  
> the basement being a crappy place to have a fire. point taken.
>
> i'm currently looking into having it pulled out by someone, or if  
> that's a no-go, figuring out how and when to use two AAA tows to get  
> this out of the garage and then into a shop.
>
> i'm currently most concerned with this: getting it out. that garage  
> is not ideal for this scenario, with low clearance, turns, one ramp  
> uphill.  at least it's wide for maneuvering.
>
> a concern i have is that AAA won't tow a vehicle with gas leaks  
> unless the fire department's been out to deem it safe. fire engines,  
> loud and colorful and shiny as they are, run extremely counter to my  
> continued efforts to remain on the down low at this garage. i think  
> i may stand to lose my privilege as a visitor renting a spot if i  
> bring in Big Red all too often (twice in one year? shee-it!). so  
> yeah, fire trucks, not always fun to have around - lots of people  
> looking over at me while i whistle into the air and pretend it's  
> someone else's trouble. ha!
>
> so i'll let you all know how it goes.
>
> i'm sure i don't have to tell you about the wince in my heart when i  
> saw the photos of those poor vans that caught fire.
>
> thank you all again and again for all the advice and offers and  
> links. so much to look at. i'm going to review it all before i talk  
> to a mechanic too. once i get the van out, my next step will be how  
> to prevent a fifth leak from happening.
>
> -sheilah
>
> my vehicles:
>
> 1986 Vanagon Westy (watercooled, 2WD) ~ Vanna White
> 2003 Diesel VW Golf ~ Moxie
> 2008 SMART car ~ Gizmo
>
> (next up: i'm drooling over a cushman or an interceptor, but no way,  
> not yet)
> (and for fun): my dad owns a 1979 VW convertible Beetle, still  
> cherry, with approx ~17k miles
>
> but first things first, loving Vanna. my first true vehicular love. ;)
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 9, 2009, at 6:13 PM, Pat Sloan wrote:
>
>> HI Sheilah,
>>
>> I�ve just lived through a leaking fuel crisis on my 1982 Vanetta,  
>> �Otter�.
>> Finally completely fixed by Ed the Magnificent at The Bug Shop here  
>> in
>> Vancouver. It turns out that there were leaks in multiple places �  
>> mostly at
>> the top of the gas tank, so it didn�t leak until you filled it up  
>> at the
>> pump and drove away. Then it would drip about 1 � gallon over the  
>> first
>> miles driving. Otter and I have only been together for about a  
>> month, so
>> this has �only� happened about 3 or 4 times. Discovered it by  
>> accident a
>> couple of days ago.
>>
>> Like you, I am completely freaked by gas leaks and would never have  
>> driven
>> it in that condition � if I had known. At least it was always  
>> outdoors
>> instead of in a parking garage. I totally agree with everyone else  
>> who has
>> sounded off on this � just do not turn that ignition key.
>>
>> Possible solution: Do you know anyone with a quad ATV who might be  
>> able to
>> tow it out of the parking garage for you?
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> Pat
>>
>> 82 Vanetta �Otter�
>>
>>