The OE Vanagon gas caps do not seal very well.  As a matter of fact, the
complete fuel vent system doesn't seal very well.  I've learned this the
expensive way... via the EPA test for imported vehicles.  A completely
refurbished Vanagon vent system will not pass the EPA pressure test.  The
2WD Vanagon comes close, the Syncro fails miserably.  A few mods are
definitely required.

Not that this matters to your everyday Vanagon pilot.  This kind of test is
only required on imported vehicles.

Kind of goes to show the crap that manufacturers get away with.  Contrary to
what most think, manufacturers "self certify" that their vehicles meet US
EPA and safety standards.  No proof or testing required.  Sure... the EPA &
NHTSA will occasionally pull a vehicle and do some testing to make sure it
meets standards, but they're so underfunded and bureaucratic that it can
take years for them to test anything.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Roger Whittaker
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 9:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 90 Vanagon Syncro - Emission Test Gas Cap Failure - Solution

dear gasser
things are clearly out of hand when gas cap OEM fails and it is nearly new
i would suggest there is some subjective slants to the test game ...
i recommend reading what the dog saw by malcom gladwell ...  he has a very
good chapter about quality air tests verses quantity air test
regards

On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 2:34 PM, Jonathan Berg <jonbergga@gmail.com> wrote:

> My 90 Synco Westy passed the hard parts of Atlanta Metro emissions
> testing this weekend, but failed the open book portion -  pressure
> testing of the 2 year old OEM locking gas cap.
>
> The same thing has happened each of the past 3 years, but previously
> the testing wonks had been cooperative in fiddling with with adapter
> to get a pass or waive the cap test. Not so much this weekend.
>
> I found a suitable replacement cap that was visually and pneumatically
> acceptable for the test adapter.
>
> The new cap passed the test without much problem.
>
> I did have to bend the ears on it slightly to get a tighter seal on
> the filler neck.
>
> The Stant cap shall now hold a place of honor in my glovebox until my
> test next year - the OEM locking cap is back in place.
>
> The details -- Stant  #10843 - some 90's era BMW gas cap. Cost me $15
> at Pep-Boys.
>
> The general consensus seems to be that the Syncro gas cap is just a
> bit too tall to allow a good seal with the designated (red) testing
> adapter.
>
> Hope this helps somebody else. YMMV.
>
> Later,
> Jon
> 90 Syncro Westy -- Milton
> Alpharetta, GA
>

--
roger w
 From Proverbs:
Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a
servant who becomes king ...
----------------------------------------------------------
Explore printed work at: http://www.prliving.ca/
View the growing list of video work at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/LastonLastof#g/u
http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2010/11/29/multimedia/video/doc4c62e5f80d2285
04902172.txt