Yes, it's the breather tube that cracked. I bought this from Ken at Vanagain many years ago I believe. Its the plastic Y connector that I believe cracked off at the base.

Can I just plug the hole with some rubber or is a requirement to have the breather tubes?

R

On Jan 3, 2012, at 11:01 PM, Trevor Reid wrote:

> Hi Robert,
>
> My guess is the breather tubes.
>
> http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251201147B
>
> Or this
>
> http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=
>
> BD also sells the tank gaskets for $3 each look around their site... Maybe look at a Bentley book there are great descriptions.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> Cheri
>
> On 2012-01-03, at 12:28 PM, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM> wrote:
>
>> I found the source to my gas smelling issue.
>>
>> On the top center of the tank under the van I was able to take my iphone and make a movie with the flash on and I can see in the center that there was a Plastic Y that appears to have broken off at the lower base of the Y connector and now only the top part of the Y is connecting the hoses which I believe go to the vapor recovery system.
>>
>> What is the part needed to replace that broken unit? In the meantime Can I put something in the hole to prevent the leaks and smells?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Robert
>> Bloomingburg NY
>>
>> On May 29, 2011, at 4:51 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>>
>>> it's a very unfun job.
>>> hour or two  max to get out.
>>>
>>> it's just fiddly.
>>> not like you can bolt one part on, then the next, then the next etc.
>>>
>>> it's like you need it floating nearly in place while you mess with the hoses
>>> and wires n' stuff on top of it.
>>> Like on a floor jack 'up there' almost where it goes, while you disconnect
>>> or connect stuff.
>>>
>>> they didn't want that to be too easy a job evidently.
>>>
>>> pretty sure you are 2WD ..the syncro is a whole other story.
>>>
>>> and if it's an early 2WD van with the larger metal filler neck..
>>> those can be a real PIA to get back in place at the bronze colar by the gas
>>> cap getting small screws started in the bronze piece while they are sticking
>>> through another rubber piece....yuck.
>>> The later plastic filler neck is very easy to deal with.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
>>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>> Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2011 12:06 PM
>>> Subject: Re: Gas Vapors
>>>
>>>
>>>> Thanks John,
>>>>
>>>> This might be the case with my van as well.  Any idea how hard it is to
>>>> drop the tank and replace the seal? How long does it take?
>>>>
>>>> Rob
>>>> NY
>>>>
>>>> On May 28, 2011, at 9:44 PM, John Jensen wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Not sure if this is any help, but I had a problem when the gasket where
>>>>> the filler pipe goes into the tank went bad,  Leaked on
>>>>> turns and when I filled the tank.  I set out to replace the whole tank
>>>>> and discovered the bad gasket in the process.  In that case it was a
>>>>> 1982 aircooled vanagon.
>>>>>
>>>>> John Jensen
>>>>> johnjensen@johnjensenartist.com
>>>>> http://www.johnjensenartist.com
>>>>> bluesbug@verizon.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 5/28/2011 1:43 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>>>>> With some effort and flashlight you can check for broken tube fittings
>>>>>> without dropping the tank. It is also possible the leak is from the
>>>>>> gauge sender o ring especially on the aftermarket tanks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my Windows Phone
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Robert Stewart
>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 3:33 AM
>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: Gas Vapors
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I noticed today where the fuel smell is coming from. Just under my seat
>>>>>>> where the tank under me I saw today a small amount gas that appears to
>>>>>>> have leaked out of some hose! I made a really sharp fast turn and I saw
>>>>>>> a couple of tiny drips on the ground of the driveway that traced my
>>>>>>> turning radius. Sure enough I can see it's dripping from the top of the
>>>>>>> tank down to the ground.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Does this mean that either the plastic crossover is cracked or that
>>>>>>> another hose is cracked or finally does it mean the cross over tube
>>>>>>> came out from the top of the tanks mounts?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Note, I changed this entire tank 4 years ago with a new tank that I
>>>>>>> covered with Herculiner to prevent rusting and it looks amazing still.
>>>>>>> Plus over a year ago I installed a new set of fuel lines and a new seal
>>>>>>> and crossover kit.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So I am a little surprised.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>> NY
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On May 25, 2011, at 11:20 PM, Robert Stewart wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dennis,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I looked tonight at my air filter, there is a line coming from the top
>>>>>>>> of the round filter that has been capped off. Isn't this suppose to
>>>>>>>> connect to the charcoal filter? Where is that suppose to go? I assume
>>>>>>>> I should connect that properly correct? I think a VW mechanic I used
>>>>>>>> in Long Beach NY put a ball bearing in it and capped it off.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Rob
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On May 22, 2011, at 7:21 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> From: Robert Stewart [mailto:robertmstewart@mac.com]
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 7:09 PM
>>>>>>>>> To: Dennis Haynes
>>>>>>>>> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Gas Vapors
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I can't speak as to the Black Silicone looking thing he used on the
>>>>>>>>> seals.
>>>>>>>>> But I do believe it said it was ok for gas. Not sure.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Gravity Valves are where?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On top of each tank in the wheel wells.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Vapor Recovery valve is on the left, right front or behind the air
>>>>>>>>> filter?
>>>>>>>>> What should I do with it once I locate it?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In front of the air filter on the other side of the firewall. You
>>>>>>>>> should be
>>>>>>>>> able to hear it click each time the throttle is opened when the
>>>>>>>>> engine is
>>>>>>>>> running.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I never have heard any pressure release sounds coming from the gas
>>>>>>>>> tank cap
>>>>>>>>> and this is my second van, so what is missing?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Something is leaking somewhere. Just think later cars will generate a
>>>>>>>>> fault
>>>>>>>>> code when the tank can't hold vapor pressure.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On May 22, 2011, at 6:58 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Silicon and gasoline. What was someone thinking. Most say on the tube
>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>> for use with gasoline or on head gaskets. It could just be a loose
>>>>>>>>> hose or
>>>>>>>>> one of the gravity valves on top of the expansion tanks. Also check
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> operation of the vapor  recovery valve near the air filter. If all is
>>>>>>>>> well
>>>>>>>>> whenever you open the cap for filling you should hear some pressure
>>>>>>>>> escaping. After repairs the tank and vent system can be charged to
>>>>>>>>> 2-3 psi
>>>>>>>>> to make sure the vapors are kept in.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>>>>>>>>> Behalf Of
>>>>>>>>> Robert Stewart
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 6:06 PM
>>>>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Gas Vapors
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> A year ago my mechanic and I removed my new gas tank and installed
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> crossover pipe and a seal kit with all the rubber grommets and
>>>>>>>>> clamps. He
>>>>>>>>> used some special RTV silicone on all the rubber grommets before
>>>>>>>>> installing
>>>>>>>>> it.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Now it's a year later and the smell of gas permeates outside the
>>>>>>>>> vehicle
>>>>>>>>> when I fill up. I have no idea what to do.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I am at my wits end at this point.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Either a hose is damaged, or a seal must have blown ( hard to believe
>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>> the new rubber and RTV silicone though).
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Does anyone have any advice?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>>>> 88 Automatic Wolfsburg
>>>>>>>>> All New Fuel Lines
>>>>>>>>> All New Hoses
>>>>>>>>> Rebuilt Engine
>>>>>>