TheSamba.com :: View topic - Up in smoke... Bus fires... don't let it happen to you!

Wed Dec 29, 2010 2:31 pm

Quote: I restored this bus and then on the way home from the mechanic from getting the engine rebuilt it burnt down due to a fuel line leak...The mechanic denied even working on it...so it was a total loss for me.
Sue him.

Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:20 pm

Glenn wrote: Quote: I restored this bus and then on the way home from the mechanic from getting the engine rebuilt it burnt down due to a fuel line leak...The mechanic denied even working on it...so it was a total loss for me.
Sue him.

Seriously... So many lawsuits are bogus and unfounded, but this seems like a worthy case. Any receipts? Witnesses?

Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:05 pm

Jim Bear wrote: Glenn wrote: Quote: I restored this bus and then on the way home from the mechanic from getting the engine rebuilt it burnt down due to a fuel line leak...The mechanic denied even working on it...so it was a total loss for me.
Sue him.

Seriously... So many lawsuits are bogus and unfounded, but this seems like a worthy case. Any receipts? Witnesses?

Isnt that what insurance is for?

Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:16 pm

Jim Bear wrote: Glenn wrote: Quote: I restored this bus and then on the way home from the mechanic from getting the engine rebuilt it burnt down due to a fuel line leak...The mechanic denied even working on it...so it was a total loss for me.
Sue him.

Seriously... So many lawsuits are bogus and unfounded, but this seems like a worthy case. Any receipts? Witnesses?

This... Don't tell me you don't have receipts? Looking at different burn downs, and having to deal with insurance myself, I keep all receipts its a must.

I am hoping you didn't have just liability either, a bus that nice you had something better right? Hate to see a total loss without getting a good chunk of change, and especially if you need to make that mechanic pay. Kill his reputation for this!

Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:28 pm

I have seen many post of my brothers and sisters telling all of you to change out your hoses and rightly so. The ethanol that is in standard fuel, will eat away, crack, and compromise the fuel line's integrity. How ever I have seen many picture of beautiful machines with the not only with the plastic $1.00 fuel filter on the pressure side, but you can see many of these fires starting at that point. If you do choose to use this filter, you have to understand that this filter is molded plastic and that when the pressure rises and falls, you run the risk of busting this filter. With cracked hoses, plastic filter, and pressure in this critical area, you run the risk of destroying you investment in your VW. So remember, this filter was designed to go into the supply side of the Fuel Pump with a change at every oil change. Hoses will last you a year, but a change every 6 months is a safe bet. So please, put your filter on the supply side of the pump and not the pressure side, and the sport will endure for many years to come. 8)

Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:37 pm

HairyYeti wrote: I did email but got no response about the grading of their fuel hose. :(

i don't recall ever seeing this email but it's possible it got lost in the volume of email we receive.

we are in the process of sourcing fuel hose that is FPM-ECO construction, DIN 73379 Type 3E which is the same basic spec as SAE30R9. the issue we have with the SAE30R9 hose that's readily available in north america is that the sizes are in inches and these inch sizes do not fit the VW fuel fittings the way they are meant to fit. continental manufactures hose with the DIN 73379 Type 3E spec but this hose does not seem to be stocked anywhere in north america yet. as soon as the hose is available we'd be glad to offer our hose kits with this material.

Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:28 pm

What about GOODYEAR fuel hose? Over here I can get it in almost every diameter, the quality seems very good- after a year and 5000 km driven it looks and feels like new. I know, that is not a long time, but I really have a feeling it will prove to be very good.

Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:33 pm

jure-slo wrote: What about GOODYEAR fuel hose? Over here I can get it in almost every diameter, the quality seems very good- after a year and 5000 km driven it looks and feels like new. I know, that is not a long time, but I really have a feeling it will prove to be very good.

Just make sure it meets one of the specs in Scott's post if you are running fuel injection. Still not a bad idea to use FI rated hose even on a carbureted rig as the FI hose will hold up to additives better than regular fuel line.

Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:41 pm

goodyear makes SAE30R9 but not in metric sizes. the closest size to the needed 7mm is 5/16 which is 1mm too big. it simply does not fit the way it is meant to fit, so it's not a viable option in my opinion. yes you can clamp the hose extra tight but that's not how the assemblies are intended to be. with the correct size hose the joints will be leak-free even without clamps, the hose is meant to be tight on the metal fuel lines. so until i can get the hose in 7mm ID we won't be using it. it may be quite soon when we have some samples of the new spec hose.

Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:51 pm

A little motivation for those who might put off fuel line upgrades or other maintenance! Came from the type2 list. Hurts to watch!

http://www.volkswagondeals.co.uk/camper/vw-bus-up-in-flames/

Sat Feb 05, 2011 2:56 pm

http://www.vancouversun.com/Volkswagen+bursts+into+flames+highway/4228002/story.html?tab=PHOT

Bummer! Anyone here?

Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:03 pm

Smelling fuel , found this leaking on starter.

Replaced with this from German Supply.

Dodged a bullet !

Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:40 am

Should have got the proper clamps while you were at it... those little worm-drive clamps chew up the hose a bit.

Thu Feb 24, 2011 5:05 pm

WhirledTraveller wrote: Should have got the proper clamps while you were at it... those little worm-drive clamps chew up the hose a bit.

Yeah , I saw that after I was done. When you have gas pouring on you, you grab the first clamp you can get your hands on ! When I empty the tank to change the last hose I'll shorten the hose and replace it witth the correct clamp.

Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:06 pm

Kind of stupid on VW's part to locate the tank outlet right over the starter. This has always scared the crapola out of me and I am sure has led to many fire starts. I would personally like to go to a top outlet tank with an intank pump. If anyone has ideas as to the best vehicle to borrow parts from to accomplish this, please post.

Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:32 am

I have a 77' Bay with fuel injection. My fuel filter is located underneath in front of the fuel pump. I try to check the hoses every few months for wear and tear. However, twice now, the hose going into the fuel pump has developed a leak. It seems to happen the most when the season changes and the rubber gets cold. At least the gas drips onto the ground rather than into the engine compartment! It's nice having the filter located here also, as I can pinch the upstream hose with a vice-grip or locking pliers. This way, not much gas drips out when I change the fuel filter.

Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:17 am

How about a picture of your setup?

Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:25 am

Chanatrek wrote: I have a 77' Bay with fuel injection. My fuel filter is located underneath in front of the fuel pump. I try to check the hoses every few months for wear and tear. However, twice now, the hose going into the fuel pump has developed a leak. It seems to happen the most when the season changes and the rubber gets cold. At least the gas drips onto the ground rather than into the engine compartment! It's nice having the filter located here also, as I can pinch the upstream hose with a vice-grip or locking pliers. This way, not much gas drips out when I change the fuel filter.

all injected buses have the filter under the bus. '75 and '76 it's in different locations, '77-'79 it's where you describe. you need to replace the fuel hoses near the filter, sounds to me like the large diameter hose between the pump and filter is bad. this hose should never ever leak. even if the hose has no clamps it should not leak. the hose on your bus is either the wrong size or it's old and it doesn't fit tight on the filter any longer.

for a simple filter change yes, just a hose crimper in front of the filter works fine. vice grips not so good but in a pinch they're ok. there is a post a few up where the person changes the fuel hoses off the tank inlet and outlet, this should only be done with the tank drained. it's not worth the potential for either fuel bath or worse trying to re/re these hoses with a tank of fuel on the other side of the hose. drain the tank from one of the fuel lines lower down near the pump, once the tank is empty remove the lines from the tank nipples, there will still be some fuel in them, catch the fuel in a can and/or rags. then re/re these hoses in comfort and safety. i can't believe people will try to re/re those hoses without draining the tank!

i prefer the original crimp type hose clips over the screw type:

Wed Mar 16, 2011 8:33 am

Hey Scott,

Any info on the DIN 73379 Type 3E hose you mentioned?

Wed Mar 16, 2011 1:39 pm

nothing yet. i'll post here when i know more.