----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Shea" <shea@GTSDESIGN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 6:09 PM
Subject: Re: fuel tank crossover...

> I went through the tank crossover and seals problem 4-5 years back on
> my '81 Westy.  Kinda funny, looks like VW didn't want to waste any
> money on that crossover tubing... when it got old, it shrank, and it was
> so 'perfectly' sized that it pulled the Y-fittings right out.  Planned
> obsolescence... errrr, more like planned self-destruct!
>
> I found that with a bit of squirming I could reach the seals on both
> sides, but couldn't get anywhere near the center where the crossover
> tube goes through some kind of brace.
>
> My solution was to not worry too much about doing a perfect replacement
> job.  I did replace the Y fittings, not sure if I got them from the
> dealer or the junkyard, probably the latter.  Got the seals from the
> dealer.  Found a proper size fuel-rated hose, cut it something like half
> again or twice as long as the original crossover hose, and ran it any
> old way across the top of the tank, around obstacles, whatever way I
> could persuade it to go.
>
> The van has been another 30-40K since then, it's never ever smelled like
> leaking gas, and as far as I know there have been no downsides to my
> unprofessional hack job.
>
>         Gary
>
>
> [> >
> >
> >