It could blow up at any time...but it should be OK.

Gary Setcoski · Post by **Gary Setcoski** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 10:40 am

I love living on the edge......but living with raw gas fumes inside my Westphalia has got to end. Risking my life is OK.....but risking my childrens life cannot happen. I have not been able to identify the cause of the fumes. I have ruled out the following.. supply line from the fuel pump, and after the fuel pump to the tank all dry. The rubber filler neck is in good shape and is not leaking. The metal tube going thru the firewall DOES have the rubber grommet installed and is not leaking at that point. The brass insert supply line going into the carb IS secure and is not leaking. There is no sign of leakage anywhere in the engine compartment. The gasket for the fuel sending unit is new and is confirmed not leaking. Only category left is the vent system. This 78 bus was "updated" from fuel injection to a dual carbs.....then "upgraded" to a single carb system....all new. Also the fuel vent system has been "upgraded" and totally made non-functional and the system is now a vented system thru a vented fuel cap. My knowledge of the vent system is limited as to the fact it only exists thru bits and pieces scattered about the rear of the vehicle. My question is this.........exactly where is the vent located on the tank? I assumed it was a stand pipe located right next to the outlet to the fuel pump....as that is sealed off (and is not leaking). Im about ready to pull the engine to fix a fuel vapor leak....seems kind of extreme. Is there another place this tank is vented?? I have searched for a picture of a gas tank everywhere with no success. I have taken the bus out of service ......feeling lucky..."It could blow up at anytime...but it should be OK"....just doesnt cut it anymore...........any ideas on where my massive fuel vapor leak is coming from????
Thanks in advance ! ! ! ......ps....I actually paid a proffessional VW mechanic to rebuild my engine........after the third rebuild in as many months.....with many many oil leaks....my frustration level is running a bit high. ! ! !....You all just may see this thing for sale soon ! ! !

rich2481 · Post by **rich2481** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 10:58 am

my 80 vanagon has a plastic canister under the drivers seat and when I fill up the tank it seemed to leak something, maybe it is that

Gary Setcoski · Post by **Gary Setcoski** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 10:14 pm

Thanx Rich.....but my canister was removed many owners ago....I really think that John may have the answer here.........Thanx John....Im looking forward to checking that out tommorow. I do have a very nicely cut access hole cut above the new sending unit. Im going to try and attach a hose and connect those 2 vents together with a single hose......Im brainstorming right now.....Imagining the hose...attached to a stiff piece of wire, with a mirror.....and a flashlight........I just may be able to pull this off without having to remove the engine ! !
While we are on the subject of..."It could blow up at anytime, but it should be ok" I have another "livin on the edge" question.
About 4 years ago...a friend of mine sold me the Coleman furnace that was factory installed in his 73 Westy. I installed it in my 78 (had to remove the water bottle under the sink.....it was just a petri-dish of organic green mass). It works fantastic! ! ! I made sure that it was safe....replaced the thermostat....gaurded some wiring...inspected the combustion chamber (it uses outside air for combustion....and exhausts all burnt gas fumes outside ! ) I copied the factory install as to the exhaust coming out the side of the bus. My question is this.....is it safe to run the furnace while I am driving down the road. I have given it much thought and had a friend drive while I crawled back and inspected the flame while 60mph wind was going past the furnace exhaust.......I noticed NO disruption in the flame pattern.....So......I drive away into the northern Michigan sunset.....15 below zero outside.....74 degrees inside. Of course.......it could blow up at any time...
By the way....before I got the furnace......I have to admit that I have used the cookstove to heat the van while driving......I realize this all sounds very dangerous.....but....until you drive one of these things in below zero weather....dressed in thermal undies....layered clothes ....in a snowmobile suit.....for 5 freakin hours....any kind of heat is better than no heat.....and sometimes...(no kids onboard) ...the risk is worth the it. Survival with what you have available.....

I can hear you all now........this guy is crazy.......ya.....maybe so.....but not stupid.....I carry 3 fire extinguishers ! !

JohnL · Post by **JohnL** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 11:25 pm

Gary,After you pull the engine take the cover off so you can get to the gas tank.If it is the original tank it will have two small outlets on the top at each end(pointing towards each other)connected with a yellowish tubing and some of that cloth hose stuff.It has a tee in the middle with another piece of tubing going off in the direction of the filler neck(I THINK!!). If you are running a vented cap you should be able to plug these outlets.DISCLAIMER It's been like a year since I worked on mine so I might be way off on all this,I'm sure somebody will correct me on this.Hope this helps,John