Filler Pipe

I've gradually increased the amount of fuel and filled up today for the first time. After that, I've got a bit of a petrol whiff, seems to be mainly on Left hand corners, although that could just be paranoia. All the breather parts have been replaced, but the tank's not been out, so I suppose the filler pipe is to blame. What bits fail and is it tank out to fix?

 

Sure you have found all the joints in the breather system ? Or that you have all the metal pipes between the rubber joiners in the first place ...
Theres one in front of the spare wheel well on the left and a couple of joins behind the firewall near the tank . Go take a look at the ratwell.com website.

 

Found a joint behind the wheel well made with plastic pipe, so there's one!

 

If you pop the round cover out of the RH side of the engine bay, you can check the condition of the fuel filler pipe!!

 

Thanks, it's very good. Will sort the one behind the wheel well and see what happens!

 

It is likely to be the main filler elbow to the tank, I'd think.

 

Check the filler neck and the join from the metal filler to the tank. May not be obvious that they are shot until you take them off. I did mine with engine in place (type 4) and I could get the firewall off also which is essential. There is a tendency to get paranoid with fuel smells I do get paranoid about it....

 

The rubber vent elbow at the rear of the tank is badly cracked - would overflow nicely when the tank is full!

Anyone know where to buy item 22 on this diagram?

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_act_pa...rchText=&classicSearchText=&classicSearchType=

It's on the diagram, but not shown as a part.

 

Could this be it?

http://www.coolairvw.co.uk/Item/Sho...-OB-US_Spec-CB-_Fuel_Tank_Breather_Elbow.html

Currently got a piece of hose bent into position - which is why it's split.

 

Nope.

It'll be this one, if your van's a later one

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares...untry_GB.htm?crumbStartPage=1&crumbStartRow=1

You may have to cut a bit off the end.

 

It's not the filler hose, it's got a vent to let the air out during filling and this is the dodgy part. Going to get a picture.

 

So have most people with these tanks including me, though I have no firewall, so it's easy to keep an eye on. The one heritage were selling may have caused problems, the originals were 90 deg flexible hose. Not sure I like the look of the coolair one which looks identical to the VWH one. I'd phone heritage and ask if anyone remembers why they stopped selling them.

 

bit of straight hose with a spring down the inside of it would work!!

or you could try and get a bit of silicon hose that is the correct ID in a elbow

 

Tank with firewall removed:



Close up - you can see the crack in the hose, and if you push it, you can see straight into the tank!:

 

you see the line that is on the tank under it... that is where fuel has been running and evaporating off...

 

Beat me to it - and it's washed off whatever underseal type stuff it had on the tank.

 

This looks right, having measured the pipe connections:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SFS-Perfo...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item460cf8d423

Have e-mailed to confirm it's suitable for contact with fuel.

 

Looks good - I think I may get one for mine.

 

Let you know when I get a reply about suitability.

 

heh-heh I was going to wait a few months and watch for the disaster thread...
Seriously though, I believe silicon hose is ok, though those original clips may be a bit beasty for it.