This is a very common problem. You need the top crossover tube. There are
some vendors that sell a much improved set up with aluminum fittings. Not
only can gas or fumes get out but road dirt and water can get in.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Robert Stewart
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 3:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Gas Vapors

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 collar 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 air-cooled 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
>>>>