Please tell me why braide stainless steel hose is NOT a viable (or mentioned)
alternative to the deteriatable cotton/rubber hoses?

Has any one spent the $$$$$ to do this? How bad was it?

curious

Mike
87 WolfW/E
87 Westy
89 Jetta

Bulley-Hewlett & Associates wrote:

> Philip & others-
>
> Many are unaware of the potential problems with VW Type II Fuel lines.
> There is a lot of info in the Vanagon Archives, search on the words "Fire",
> and "Fuel Lines".
>
> In a nutshell, the Cotton/Rubber hoses are not capable of indefinite
> service in the hostile environment of the motorbox. They are pressurized to
> about 30 psi, and eventually they burst, showering fuel over your motor,
> sending your van to a smoky, early grave. If you are uncertain of the age
> of your fuel lines, buy some of the REAL cotton covered VW hose tomorrow,
> and replace them.
>
> gmb
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>>Duh, sorry, I don't know what you mean about fuel lines.  If
> they were
> working before, why not now?  I just happen not to know why this is so
> important....    ph  '80 Wfla
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Bulley-Hewlett & Associates [mailto:gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM]
> Sent:   Monday, October 19, 1998 8:58 AM
> To:     vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject:        Congrats! Check it out...was: NEW OWNER!!
>
> Ron,
> Please change my status!  I'm no longer a wannabe but now the proud owner
> of an 89 Westy! <<SNIP>>>I bought it "sight-unseen" over the internet from
> the PO in Texas.  I had it shipped to Iowa and it arrived this morning.
> <<<SNIP>>>
> I'm taking a little cruise with it on Wednesday, having it detailed on
> Thursday, might actually go camping this weekend!
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Jim-
> Congrats on the new machine! We just got our Westfalia about six weeks back
> and have already logged 3,500 miles, almost all of that was camping or
> going/coming from camping. Been out 4 out of 6 weekends. Fall colors and
> great temperatures out; you'll have a ball.
> A word of caution: It's exciting to have a new vehicle, but as you have
> seen from your lurking, a few maintenance oversights by the previous owner
> can spell big trouble to a Westfalia. It is a complicated mechanism, with
> plenty of areas where a simple fault can lead to great expense, and grief.
>  Spend the weekend inspecting/replacing some things before a big outing.
>  Check brake pads and shoes, crawl around under the van and look at
> everything closely, especially the steering gear and suspension. Check
> shift linkages, CV boots, muffler hangers, radiator hoses, tire pressure,
> propane fittings (use sudsy water). Look for the start of rust.  Beyond all
> else, CHANGE THE FUEL LINES. It takes an hour or so, and costs less than
> $35 (even if you buy some new clamps and a filter. How many woeful (former)
> owners have we seen come to the list, with smoke still in their hair, with
> the sad tale of how their "new" Vanagon went up in flames.  Buy insurance,
> buy a fire extinguisher, learn to use it, but change your fuel lines before
> you use this van.
> Happy motoring,
> G. Matthew Bulley
> Principal
> Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
> Communications for Organizational Development
> Cary, North Carolina
> www.bulley-hewlett.com
> (888) 468-4880 toll free