I had something like this awhile back. It seemed that when the initial surge
from the fuel pump would start the leak but then stop immediately after.
Try waiting and watching in the engine compartment while someone turns the
key to just have the pump turn on. You may see, hear or smell the leak.

Thanks,
Bryan

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Matthew Snook
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 8:01 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: fuel leak - or not...

With all the recent talk of fuel leaks, again, I thought I'd repost a
previous question of mine to see if anybody had any thoughts on the matter.

I have an '84 1.9 Westy, and here's the problem.  Occasionally when I first
start the thing, there is a drip of gasoline from either side of the engine!
Sometimes right, sometimes left.  Most of the time there is no leak.  But
maybe half a dozen times over the last year, I've started it and then
noticed a drip from the splash pans that prevent me from seeing up into the
engine, so I don't know where it's coming from.  At first I immediately
turned it off, unloaded the paraphernalia and lifted the engine hatch, then
restarted it only to have the dripping not reappear.  Since then I've also
tried just leaving it on, but in this case it has still stopped the leak by
the time I've gotten the lid off to look at it from the top.

So the leak only happens, or I only notice it, when the thing is first
started.  It has dripped from either or both sides.  It stops if the engine
is stopped and then restarted, or within a couple of minutes if left running
(while I try to get the lid off).  

This is not a leak at the hose where it comes through the wall - I've looked
at that each time, and besides the drips come from both sides.

Any clues?  It doesn't happen often enough for me to just start the thing
over and over - only once every few months.

Matt�