Wow!  Thanks for the link, Jack!  Only $48!

Mike B.

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Jack R." <jack007@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 9:08 AM
To: "'Mike'" <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: RE: Replaced Fuel Lines

>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-92-VOLKSWAGEN-VANAGON-Fuel-Pump-OEM-New-Ha
> yg-Walbro-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem335a4c91acQQitemZ220558299564QQptZMoto
> rsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Mike
> Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 8:12 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Replaced Fuel Lines
>
>  I just finished replacing the underside fuel hoses and clamps on my '87
> Westy (I had done the entire engine bay area last fall).
>  I was having a little trouble removing the last one; the short piece
> between the fuel pump outlet and the fuel filter inlet, when suddenly the
> plastic nipple broke completely off of the pump; AARRGGHH!!
>  Didn't someone recently mention that the Mercedes pump is identical and
> priced cheaper?
>
> Mike B.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
> Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 7:16 PM
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject:      Re: Replaced Fuel Lines
>
>> I hope you got rid of the notorious firewall fitting Kevin.
>>
>> no need for that part on the van at all.
>>
>> for those that are 'all paranoid' because they have not replaced their
>> fuel
>> hoses ..
>> here's what I do ..
>> the weak spots are the ends of the hoses , where the hose clamps are.
>>
>> the original style 'crimp' hose clamps ...I don't trust those too much.
>> and ...'where they usually leak first' is on the transmission side of the
>> firewall at that firewall fitting ..
>> it goes : plastic firewall fitting, then a two inch hose, then the
>> plastic
>> black fuel line .
>>
>> right where it goes from hose to plastic line, with a crimp type hose
>> clamp..that is where they usually leak first that I have seen
>> seen that a number of times actually.
>> what I do is go around the firewall fitting, connoting the engine hose (
>> from the 'T' with fuel pressure testing port on top of it ) ...connect
>> that
>> hose directly to the black plastic fuel line above the starter .
>>
>> Drives me nuts that people want to run that hose through the hole in the
>> firewall and protect the hose from the metal of the hole edge with a
>> grommet
>> when there is no reason to run the hose through that hole in the first
>> place
>> !!
>> like why protect it going through a metal hole it doesn't even need to go
>> through ??? duh.
>>
>> so I just run the hose through that big fat space next to the bell
>> housing.
>> I arrange it so  I can see the hose-to-pipe junction..so I can glance at
>> it
>> any time I'm by the engine.
>> I sometimes use two hose clamps there.
>> I like good german screw type hose clamps..
>> and probably..
>> the best ones are a 'band clamp' with a regular small screw that squeezes
>> the whole thing around the hose ...they come in regular corrosion treated
>> metal or stainless.
>>
>> where I see original crimp type hose clamps ..
>> I cut those off and put on good screw clamps.
>> if the end of the hose is buggered up some, I cut a half inch off to get
>> a
>> fresh new end.
>>
>> I was replacing hoses on a 91 syncro ....whole new engine installation,
>> etc...
>> the original hose ..
>> that stuff is so tough it looks like you could tow a car with it.
>> I doubt most hose that people are going to get at a FLAPS is as good
>> really.
>>
>> if anything is weak, it's the ends of the hoses where the clamps are ..
>> the clamps themselves ....like those crimp style ones ...( they can be
>> tightened up ) ..
>> and that firewall fitting.
>> that you really want to bypass and get rid of.
>> the hoses themselves..
>> if original, most of the time they are pretty good yet, just keep an eye
>> on
>> the ends of them ..
>> and make sure you have the correct type hose clamps .
>>
>> my least favorite hose clamp is the typical american small # 4 type..they
>> cut into the hose badly ..
>> very poor workmanship to use those in my opinion.
>> you know what I say a lot ..
>> it's not that new parts where installed...that's not 'it' at all...it's
>> with
>> what WORKMANSHIP they were installed with that really matters.
>> I see hoses replaced with the fuel pressure testing port put somewhere
>> where
>> you can't access it ..dumb stuff like that ..or those small pinchy # 4
>> amelican hose clamps used that cut into the hose surface badly.
>>
>> fwiw,  a GW hose kit includes crimp style hose clamps which they say are
>> superior ..
>> personally, I like a clamp with a smooth underside, not sharp edges and
>> some
>> screw arrangement since you can check out tight it is, or undo it to take
>> things apart etc.
>>
>> I'm real big on keeping the stock hose coverings on too.
>> or some cover ..even heater hose ..
>> just seems like they should be protected, particularly on the engine.
>>
>> and of course, you gotta carry a good fire extinguisher where you can get
>> to
>> it NOW ...
>> not dig under the seat for it.
>> I have gotten maybe 6 to 8  vehicle fires out in the last 40 years or so,
>> possibly more, and in every case I got it out in the first 30 seconds ,
>> or
>> even less.  That's critical and key ..
>> once a nice fire gets going it's bye bye vanagon, but caught and stopped
>> right away, not even a big deal.
>>
>> diesel vans are susceptible to fire as well, usually from electrical
>> issues.
>> Seen that for sure.
>>
>> and if a VW is over 20 years old, you should have two fire extinguishers.
>> yeah ..that's my rule............one fire extinguisher on board , easy to
>> reach in a hurry , for each 10 years of VW vehicle age.
>>
>> and if you see any Halon extinguishers ( a banned substance  for
>> greenhouse
>> effect reasons ) ..you want one.
>> I used one recently ..that stuff is Magic !
>>
>> Scott
>> www.turbovans.com
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kevin Gilbert" <kggilbert@MYACTV.NET>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 3:33 PM
>> Subject: Replaced Fuel Lines
>>
>>
>>> Vanderers,
>>>
>>> For those who appreciate such news, I replaced the engine compartment
>>> fuel lines today. Later this weekend I'll move forward with new lines.
>>>
>>> I hope to drive fire-free another few years. Done the job twice in 20
>>> years, should have been thrice.
>>>
>>> For those who know they should replace their aging fuel lines, just do
>>> it. No special tools, just some smarts, patience, and an afternoon.
>>>
>>> Peace (of mind...)
>>>
>>> Kevin
>>> '84 Westy
>