Michael, I guess I was confused by this:  "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. "

Cheers, and again, glad you are ok.  DMc

---- Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
> >

--
David McNeely