Neil,

The tank is completely sealed, or at least it once was.  It's time to drop it and replace the hoses and fittings, and check the two vent tanks in the wheel wells.  The check valve seal can soften and fail, and the tanks can crack.

Then you'll have the option of taking the tank for cleaning to a good shop or replacing it.  Frankly, given all the junk in your tank, for the price of $175 I'd replace it:  http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1178_1457/fuel-gas-tank.html  Cleaning costs nearly as much if done right.  Van Café has all the parts you need to do the other stuff.

I did all this when I bought my van, what fun!

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Neil N
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 8:11 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Was: Residual Fuel Pressure... Now: Dirt PIC

Hi Michael.

It may look worse than it is; may be a teaspoon of dirt? I'll check, but it looks like mostly sand. I do drive on forestry service roads while camping.

4 years ago, I deleted the square filter and installed only a post pump only filter. pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/FuelFilterUpgrade#
The fuel pumps I've viewed have a screen inside. (pics below). I'll likely re-install a pre pump filter.
http://tinyurl.com/lfl5lfq
http://tinyurl.com/qdxbcge

As of now, all I can figure:

a. obviously, dirt at pump screen contributed to pump cavitation noise b. if dirt swirling at pump screen, maybe it damaged screen and dirt harmed check valve?
c. driving on dirt roads may have contributed greatly to dirt getting in tank

It was ignorant of me to assume my tank was clean but i really can't see how debris got in. Poor sealing gas cap?

Maybe regardless of mileage, maybe a tank flush-reseal is wise to do every 4 or 5 years?

Neil.

On 3/4/14, MICHAEL H <vwdash80@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> WOW, Neil ! that is a volume of crud. did that come out of a square 
> plastic unit ? I sawed open one of mine [`85 1.9] and got about a 
> tablespoon of fine particulate, rust colored, of course. the Van had 
> sat for a while before I took possession. filters have been lasting 
> longer since then but, I'll be flushing the tank this year for whatever astonishment I get.
> mike

--
Neil n

Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca

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