I had it ran through the hole with a grommet.  the leak rubbed through more
into the engine compartment by about 8 inches. Don't wanna sound stupid, but
ya'll know me....the area it rubbed through was right above the metal cable
that is next (left of)to the air filter. BTW-Decided to run it under the
firewall after I replaced it as has been suggested also. Have not smelled
gas since this was fixed.  IMO-If you even *think* that you smell gas, you
probably did.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
73 Beetle

On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 6:37 PM, <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> Glad you didn't have a fire, and that you caught this problem.
>
>  This reminds us to protect the hose.  It is not enough to replace the fuel
> lines, and not enough to eliminate the fire starter connector.  We need to
> provide protection to keep the fuel lines from making contact with edges
> that can abrade them.  In the case of the line that runs by where the fire
> starter was, still seems to me that the best option is to install a grommet
> or other means of protecting the fuel line, and run it through the original
> hole.  With the grommet or a larger sized rubber line protecting the hose,
> it seems that it would be safe.
>
> DMc
>
> ---- Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > OK, so I have smelled a light gas scent recently and the last thing to do
> > after fixing up the van was to check the new fuel lines installed about
> 1.5
> > years ago.  Found that the clamps on the fuel filter under the slider
> were
> > kinda loose so I thought I found the leak. After hitting the road for
> about
> > 1/2 mile yesterday, I smelled gas and pulled over. With engine running, I
> > could SEE gas dripping out onto hot exhaust pipe! Pulled the hatch and
> the
> > hose from where the old plastic firestarter was(eliminated it when I
> changed
> > the hoses previously) was rubbed through.  This is the hose from the hard
> > plastic fuel line, ran under the firewall and then goes to the 'T' near
> the
> > pulley and out to each side of engine. The wear spot was right in the
> middle
> > of this length of hose. Pulled some new hose from the ER kit and fixed in
> a
> > minute and re-arranged hoses and zip-tied.  Still not sure what it rubbed
> > against, but folks might want to check this area and the clamps on the
> fuel
> > filter.  I always carry my fire extinguisher, just in case though.  Happy
> > Trails.
> > P.S.  I was having a bad day before this happened.  Could have turned out
> > worse.
> > Michael in San Antonio
> > 91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
> > 73 Beetle
>
> --
> David McNeely
>