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Sun Jan 13, 2013 10:54 pm

Well no one has touched on the 4 yes 4 seals on the bottom of the expansion tanks. These are the small 1/2 inch holes and will require new grommets that are not carried in any of the kits from any of the online shops. I have been scouring the internet and have come up empty. I'll post a replacement if I find one. These are a neglected part of the fuel tank seal and probably what all are needing. I am redoing my 1980 and cleaning up all the dirt and such. no photos but I am also using a product I use on my commercial aircraft to seal the tank and all grommets. I still need the 4 grommets for the bottom of the overflow (plastic wheel well tanks). Any help out there???

Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:28 am

I think this will be it (nr 5):

on the later models the expansion tank has nipples
found link: http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_act_vwclassicParts.se...try_GB.htm

Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:59 am

I see that you went to a lot of trouble an I thank you for that. That part is no longer available like so many others as these vans are all supposed to be part of our morning routine like shaving. So I am still looking for a replacement like others in my delima.

Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:36 am

Sad story is , you have chosen an obsolete vehicle to be part of your every day morning routine--
Unlike shaving which will never be obsolete, unless you choose to grow a beard.
There's a workaround for that problem.

Expect obscure parts for the obsolete, NLA vehicle to be on the same page--No Longer Available.

This is not at all an unusual phenomina.

Let you finger's do the walking and locate what you need on the internet--a metric o-ring supplier shouldn't be all that difficult.

Prior to crying the blues regarding maintaining & finding parts your antique vehicle I'll bet McMaster Carr has the answer to your minisculue problem.

Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:24 am

You obviosly didnt get my sarcastic reply referancing shaving, it means that companies plan for every thing to go to the scrap yard and not be around for tomorrow. Oh by the way if you ever need assistance for getting a part and seeing if someone has a work around I hope I can give you a stupid medifore as you do. So thanks for not helping and if you cannot help with real help please keep your opinions to your self. As opinions are like a, ss we all have and they all stink

Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:55 am

auto manufacturers are required by US law to maintain parts availability upto 10yrs after production/sales and that has come and gone. it's a wonder any parts are avaialble at all.
so NO these are not supposed to be as routine as a daily/weekly necessity.

I am suprised that no one sells or has published the workaround solution to this problem though..

funny how only 4 posts and your already made well aware of TKs personality dysfunction. it's a problem with the internet playground.. there's all kinds.

the Mc Mastar Carr was a good direction to head.. best of luck and I hope you'll report back your solution.

Dan

Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:05 am

Solution Nr 1.:find them somewhere (5.9x12.3mm grommets that you need)
Solution Nr 2.: Look after two later type tanks that has nipples.

replacing NLA parts needs lot of tricks ;)

Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:02 am

I got the sarcastic, melodramatic, weeping post, and retorted appropriatly.

You do own a 33 year old vehicle, and with that in mind are expected to have a little more scronging ingenuity for the NLA parts situation you sould have assumed you would encounter, & should have automaticly thought MacMaster.

I wouldn't go crying in a public forum about a simple O-ring not being available because you have failed NLA parts sourcing 101.

Early to Bed,
Early To Rise,
Doesn't make a man,
Always Wealthy
Or Wise.

Burma Shave

Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:39 am

The classifieds here would be my first choice, followed by Craiglislt and then wrecking yards near and far.

You might get lucky and one of the Vanagon parts places may have some.

Van-Cafe, Bus-Depot, Vanagain, etc.....

Either that or patch up the old somehow, they are not "that" important....

Moderator wrote: BE NICE!

Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:53 pm

Well after my search that went through all the manufacturers and all kinds of grommet kits. Here is a part no. so all can see and use

hillman mfg. there p/n or H# 884630

I hope this information will help some one else in a parts predicament. Oh yea sorry if I am not being sarcastic or belittling enough for this forum as I believe you should help not scorn. But then honey gets a better reaction than vinegar.

Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:27 am

Speaking of expansion tanks, do we really need them? Is it for emissions and do they work or do something important. :popcorn:

When mine had a large hole that was letting water into the gas tank, I considered just plugging them temporarily.

Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:36 am

I've bypassed my expansion tanks. looping the tank small vent hoses into themselves @ the tank (so not really eliminating those connections ATM)
I had to drill a small ~1/16th hole in the gascap to allow the tank to not cave in from suction.
and on hot days it still gets a little gassy..

still need to have the tank crossover hose to allow the other hump to fill.
not sure it's really any improvement. but that's how mine is at the moment..

Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:40 am

I read a post once, I believe it was 10cent, reporting an early morning fill up followed by the van sitting in the sun in which he reported liquid fuel expanding into the expansion tanks significantly. So I think the answer is no, you don't need them in Colorado. :)

edited to try to preserve geographical joke that didn't work,

Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:26 pm

I can't help but notice the injection seals on newer cars are silicone or thereabouts--usually a blue color-- I realize that wing tank seals arent immersed or pressurized, but wet or vapor exposure are virtually the same performance level. I played hell trying to locate viton orings for everything I would put bunas in--the bunas these days have quality problems and crack prematurely. for the effort, oil or water exposure need viton black or brown.
and a simple red case kit online, if you can find them start at 90 bucks as opposed to the buna kit for 20.
depuydt in the los angeles area carries it all as long as you give the right dimensions.
they are on slauson near the 5 fwy in norwalk, ca. not cheap, but priced for men. giter dun

Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:43 am

davevickery wrote: Speaking of expansion tanks, do we really need them? Is it for emissions and do they work or do something important. :popcorn:

A lot of the guff you guys have on the tanks over there is for emissions - over here, it's just the two small lines to the bottom of the tanks. The tops don't have any valving or any of that guff.

But the tanks are needed - they're part of the crossover mechanism between the two upper tank halves, allowing you to fill the tank full. With them both just looped out, you'd have real problems with airlocks whilst filling. One can be looped out with no problem - ours is, since one nipple's broken off - although there's been a few times the pump's clicked off leaving the gauge slightly short of F.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:42 am

thummmper wrote: ...and a simple red case kit online, if you can find them start at 90 bucks as opposed to the buna kit for 20.
depuydt in the los angeles area carries it all as long as you give the right dimensions.
they are on slauson near the 5 fwy in norwalk, ca. not cheap, but priced for men. giter dun
"What U talkin' 'bout, Willis...???!!!"

Are we still trying to source grommets here, or...???

Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:49 am

if you are talking about using aircraft sealant...seems like AMS-8802 (not sure if thats what you call it on the civilian side?) would be perfect. advertised for use inside fuel cells as a sealant. could be used to replace the NLA stuff.

Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:40 am

Hey all if you have an older Vanagon with expansion tanks without the nipples yea you know the grommets... well I now have a good fix. I found a bulk head fitting with a 1/4 inch nipple at this link....

http://www.jehmco.com/html/bulkhead_fittings.html

look at the 13 mm or 1/2 inch hole size and use the straight fitting. the hole in the tanks are a little under the 1/2 inch size so you can upsize these holes in the tanks to accomidate the bulkhead fitting. The fittings are about 2.00 each and are nylon so they are gas proof. I have done mine and they are great....

Gregg Christensen

Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:12 pm

Way to hang in there and actually contribute something positive.
I was thinking of sealing up the ports and installing a bulkhead. Nice work!
How are yours working out?

Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:42 pm

I was at Autozone looking for brake cleaner when I chanced by the PCV valve rack. They had a grommet that looked like it might work for the gas expansion tanks in the air cooled Vanagons. I brought it home and it did fit. It was a tight squeeze but it looks like it's solid and will not leak.

The part # is 42344 HELP! brand PCV Grommet for Chrysler. It was $3.99.
They have them on ebay as well by Dorman and other manufacturers.
Looks like a plentiful part.

I had to work the lower lip down into the orifice then a little WD40 aided getting the expansion valve into the grommet. I'll let you folks know how it works once I get the van running.