Sheilah,
Just an afterthought and not having read ALL the posts on this issue, but
many of them; consider putting a lot of light on and under the engine area,
also a large box fan for circulation, then unplug the middle distributor
wire so there is "no fire in the hole", and have someone crank the engine
over, while others stand and lay to watch for the leaks in the hoses.

The fuel pump will come on so you will have pressure in the system, but the
engine won't start and even though you have juice to the starter, you won't
be creating a running engine nor heat. Without the possibility to have a gas
vapor buildup due to the fan, you will likely get a very good idea where the
leaks are. It may go a long way to solving your getting the van out of the
parking facility without any risk of fire, so you can get the van to a
preferred shop.

bob

On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 4:02 PM, Sheilah Rogers <sheilah@sheilah.org> 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
>
>
>