Fixed this one recently. There is a rubber hose that connects two metal pipes venting air from the tank to the top of the filler tube when filling. This hose has likely rotted. Easy fix, short piece of larger fuel line hose available at your flaps.

HTH Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2011 10:46 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: fuel leak, '91 VW Vanagon GL Campmobile 2.1L

Last time I filled the fuel tank on my camper, fuel ran out from the top of the tank somewhere.  I was at at gas station/convenience store, and went into the store for something after filling up.  When I came out, I noticed a small puddle under the van, and more fuel dripping down.  I investigated and found that the fuel seemed to come from the top of the gas tank.  I left the van sitting for a bit, and the drips decreased, stopped.  I then started it up, drove it a few blocks, and there seemed to be no more leak.  Therefore, with rechecking periodically, I risked driving home, some 60 miles.  Seemingly no more leaks.
Now, there it sits in the driveway, showing no evidence of leaking.  One other point may matter.  The automatic shutoff on the nozzle failed.  The filler inlet did not overflow, because I was attentive.  However, there was gasoline all the way to the top of the inlet tube.

So, is the inlet tube bad?  Will I only know where the leak came from by dropping the tank?  I think that, though I think it must be the inlet tube or its connection to the tank.

I have never noticed a gasoline smell after filling up, and I have never had a leak (overflow?) like this before to my knowledge.  However, this leak was substantial.

mcneely