In a message dated 99-06-12 12:16:32 EDT, cdcaston@NNI.COM writes:

<< FWIW-really look at the fuel rails while you're in there. Don't know what
 they cost, but if they are inexpensive I'd just replace them while you're
 in there. Replacing mine is omn my to so list, then almost every part of >>

also, fwiw - i had a van blow those little end caps off the plastic fuel
rails before. the little end cap is held on by a metal ring. when these rust,
they can blow right off.
luckily, this happened as i was starting the van, and heard the end cap go
flying, and the sound of gas spraying out of the fuel rail onto the pavement,
so i shut it off before the van became a roadside barbeque.

another safety measure you might want to consider - is replacing your engine
acess lid with one from a aircooled vanagon. the ones on aircooled vans are
metal. in the event of a fuel line rupture - it will give you more time to
save your van. I've seen plenty of  toasted waterboxer vanagons that the
plastic engine acess lid has melted, and caved into the engine, and added
fuel to the fire, while the flames shot right into the vans interior..  with
a metal engine acess lid, in the event of a engine fire, the fire will be
contained in the engine compartment, for a longer period of time, rather than
directly entering the interior of the van.

fwiw - i have 2 metal engine acess lids, if anyone is interested.  they are
the same size/dimensions/mount as your waterboxer van.   simple swap, that
could someday save your van.

and - ALWAYS..carry at least one (i have 2 ) fire extinguishers in your van.
one up front, and one under the back seat.

chris