Can I ask someone to explain why they hell our vans have such a strange tank design?

Do all vehicles have this type of setup?

Why cant we just seal off these blasted wired tank holes!

On Jan 4, 2012, at 6:04 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> As a temporary fix try using a sealant to cap off the broken tee and plug
> the hose with a screw or golf tee. There is redundant venting so closing
> just one should be OK.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Robert Stewart
> Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 2:39 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Gas Vapors
>
> Indeed I noticed the cracked plastic hole might allow dirt in the tank. I
> would like to just plug the hole but realize this might cause issues as well
> till spring.
>
> I would like to find an easy way to just possibly place some fuel hose
> within the existing cracked plastic and then attach that to the existing
> crossover tube I got from Ken. It's freezing cold outside and I don't have a
> heated garage so this is major problem for me.
>
> I did some samba research, indeed there are vendors such as Go Westy, Bus
> Depot and Van Cafe that sell $100+ kits with nice aluminum connectors.
>
> Anyone have any tips on how to not drop the tank and patch this single
> cracked Y connector?
>
>
> On Jan 4, 2012, at 12:34 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>
>> This is a very common problem. You need the top crossover tube. There
>> are some vendors that sell a much improved set up with aluminum
>> fittings. Not only can gas or fumes get out but road dirt and water can
> get in.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf Of Robert Stewart
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 3:28 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Gas Vapors
>>
>> I found the source to my gas smelling issue.
>>
>> On the top center of the tank under the van I was able to take my
>> iphone and make a movie with the flash on and I can see in the center
>> that there was a Plastic Y that appears to have broken off at the
>> lower base of the Y connector and now only the top part of the Y is
>> connecting the hoses which I believe go to the vapor recovery system.
>>
>> What is the part needed to replace that broken unit? In the meantime
>> Can I put something in the hole to prevent the leaks and smells?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Robert
>> Bloomingburg NY
>>
>> On May 29, 2011, at 4:51 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>>
>>> it's a very unfun job.
>>> hour or two  max to get out.
>>>
>>> it's just fiddly.
>>> not like you can bolt one part on, then the next, then the next etc.
>>>
>>> it's like you need it floating nearly in place while you mess with
>>> the
>> hoses
>>> and wires n' stuff on top of it.
>>> Like on a floor jack 'up there' almost where it goes, while you
>>> disconnect or connect stuff.
>>>
>>> they didn't want that to be too easy a job evidently.
>>>
>>> pretty sure you are 2WD ..the Syncro is a whole other story.
>>>
>>> and if it's an early 2WD van with the larger metal filler neck..
>>> those can be a real PIA to get back in place at the bronze collar by
>>> the
>> gas
>>> cap getting small screws started in the bronze piece while they are
>> sticking
>>> through another rubber piece....yuck.
>>> The later plastic filler neck is very easy to deal with.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
>>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>> Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2011 12:06 PM
>>> Subject: Re: Gas Vapors
>>>
>>>
>>>> Thanks John,
>>>>
>>>> This might be the case with my van as well.  Any idea how hard it is
>>>> to drop the tank and replace the seal? How long does it take?
>>>>
>>>> Rob
>>>> NY
>>>>
>>>> On May 28, 2011, at 9:44 PM, John Jensen wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Not sure if this is any help, but I had a problem when the gasket
>>>>> where the filler pipe goes into the tank went bad,  Leaked on turns
>>>>> and when I filled the tank.  I set out to replace the whole tank
>>>>> and discovered the bad gasket in the process.  In that case it was
>>>>> a
>>>>> 1982 air-cooled vanagon.
>>>>>
>>>>> John Jensen
>>>>> johnjensen@johnjensenartist.com
>>>>> http://www.johnjensenartist.com
>>>>> bluesbug@verizon.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 5/28/2011 1:43 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>>>>> With some effort and flashlight you can check for broken tube
>>>>>> fittings without dropping the tank. It is also possible the leak
>>>>>> is from the gauge sender o ring especially on the aftermarket tanks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my Windows Phone
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Robert Stewart
>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 3:33 AM
>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: Gas Vapors
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I noticed today where the fuel smell is coming from. Just under
>>>>>>> my
>> seat
>>>>>>> where the tank under me I saw today a small amount gas that
>>>>>>> appears to have leaked out of some hose! I made a really sharp
>>>>>>> fast turn and I
>> saw
>>>>>>> a couple of tiny drips on the ground of the driveway that traced
>>>>>>> my turning radius. Sure enough I can see it's dripping from the
>>>>>>> top of
>> the
>>>>>>> tank down to the ground.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Does this mean that either the plastic crossover is cracked or
>>>>>>> that another hose is cracked or finally does it mean the cross
>>>>>>> over tube came out from the top of the tanks mounts?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Note, I changed this entire tank 4 years ago with a new tank that
>>>>>>> I covered with Herculiner to prevent rusting and it looks amazing
> still.
>>>>>>> Plus over a year ago I installed a new set of fuel lines and a
>>>>>>> new
>> seal
>>>>>>> and crossover kit.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So I am a little surprised.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>> NY
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On May 25, 2011, at 11:20 PM, Robert Stewart wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dennis,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I looked tonight at my air filter, there is a line coming from
>>>>>>>> the
>> top
>>>>>>>> of the round filter that has been capped off. Isn't this suppose
>>>>>>>> to connect to the charcoal filter? Where is that suppose to go?
>>>>>>>> I assume I should connect that properly correct? I think a VW
>>>>>>>> mechanic I used in Long Beach NY put a ball bearing in it and capped
> it off.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Rob
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On May 22, 2011, at 7:21 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> From: Robert Stewart [mailto:robertmstewart@mac.com]
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 7:09 PM
>>>>>>>>> To: Dennis Haynes
>>>>>>>>> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Gas Vapors
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I can't speak as to the Black Silicone looking thing he used on
>>>>>>>>> the seals.
>>>>>>>>> But I do believe it said it was ok for gas. Not sure.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Gravity Valves are where?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On top of each tank in the wheel wells.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Vapor Recovery valve is on the left, right front or behind the
>>>>>>>>> air filter?
>>>>>>>>> What should I do with it once I locate it?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In front of the air filter on the other side of the firewall.
>>>>>>>>> You should be able to hear it click each time the throttle is
>>>>>>>>> opened when the engine is running.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I never have heard any pressure release sounds coming from the
>>>>>>>>> gas tank cap and this is my second van, so what is missing?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Something is leaking somewhere. Just think later cars will
>>>>>>>>> generate
>> a
>>>>>>>>> fault
>>>>>>>>> code when the tank can't hold vapor pressure.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On May 22, 2011, at 6:58 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Silicon and gasoline. What was someone thinking. Most say on
>>>>>>>>> the
>> tube
>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>> for use with gasoline or on head gaskets. It could just be a
>>>>>>>>> loose hose or one of the gravity valves on top of the expansion
>>>>>>>>> tanks. Also check the operation of the vapor  recovery valve
>>>>>>>>> near the air filter. If all
>> is
>>>>>>>>> well
>>>>>>>>> whenever you open the cap for filling you should hear some
>>>>>>>>> pressure escaping. After repairs the tank and vent system can
>>>>>>>>> be charged to
>>>>>>>>> 2-3 psi
>>>>>>>>> to make sure the vapors are kept in.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]
>>>>>>>>> On Behalf Of Robert Stewart
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 6:06 PM
>>>>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Gas Vapors
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> A year ago my mechanic and I removed my new gas tank and
>>>>>>>>> installed the crossover pipe and a seal kit with all the rubber
>>>>>>>>> grommets and clamps. He used some special RTV silicone on all
>>>>>>>>> the rubber grommets before installing it.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Now it's a year later and the smell of gas permeates outside
>>>>>>>>> the vehicle when I fill up. I have no idea what to do.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I am at my wits end at this point.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Either a hose is damaged, or a seal must have blown ( hard to
>> believe
>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>> the new rubber and RTV silicone though).
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Does anyone have any advice?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>>>> 88 Automatic Wolfsburg
>>>>>>>>> All New Fuel Lines
>>>>>>>>> All New Hoses
>>>>>>>>> Rebuilt Engine
>>>>>>