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Wed Oct 15, 2025 10:34 am

I just picked up an 84 Vanagon for my 14 year old son. He's wanted one for years and I couldn't pass it up. It's going to be a project but we have a couple years to get it finished. It's been sitting since 1997 so I'm going through it mechanically and working on getting it started. It cranks but wont start, found the hall effect sensor and fuel pump bad, both have been replaced and fired it up with starting fluid. Sounds healthy!
Here's my question...
I dropped the tank to clean it out and replace all the seals. It looks relatively good inside except that one of the hoses inside the tank is broken. It's coming from the fuel return side and goes to a "T" in the center of the tank. How critical is this hose and how do I go about replacing it and where can I find a replacement. I don't want to replace the whole tank for one hose. Any help is appreciated

Wed Oct 15, 2025 10:56 am

I don't know if this will help, but here is an inside view in this thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=630469

Wed Oct 15, 2025 1:46 pm

Welcome to the samba.

We are here to help.

(Some will be cranky but in the end they mean well.)

Wed Oct 15, 2025 1:59 pm

Keep in mind...

There have been threads here about boys and girls at that age interested in a Dad'n'Me project car... until they grow a year or two older, and discover the opposite sex, and lose interest.

In your case, a boy with a van who discovers girls can bring other... complications.

Just be ready for whatever comes in a year or two.

Wed Oct 15, 2025 2:04 pm

KTPhil wrote:
In your case, a boy with a van who discovers girls can bring other... complications.
That’s just funny, and brings back “special memories” from 1978 and my Dad’s Opel wagon. :lol:

47 years on, still no complications… :wink:

Wed Oct 15, 2025 2:05 pm

KTPhil wrote: Keep in mind...

There have been threads here about boys and girls at that age interested in a Dad'n'Me project car... until they grow a year or two older, and discover the opposite sex, and lose interest.

In your case, a boy with a van who discovers girls can bring other... complications.

Just be ready for whatever comes in a year or two.

Meh, even if kiddo somehow doesn't realize the awesomeness of a Vanagon (especially) after "discovering" girls, Dad will still have a sick van.

Moterheaddad, could you post a photo of what you're talking about? I'm not sure if you're referring to a part of the tank itself or one of the rubber hoses/junctions that plug into it.

Also, welcome to forum.

Wed Oct 15, 2025 2:20 pm

Vanagonjr
Thank you, it helped a lot. I have a feeling I'll be buying a new tank. Any recommendations on who to get it from? I was thinking of getting it from The Bus Depot, they seem to have the best prices.

Dobryan
Thanks. We all get cranky the older we get, but we also get more patient

Wed Oct 15, 2025 5:45 pm

SCM wrote: KTPhil wrote: Keep in mind...

There have been threads here about boys and girls at that age interested in a Dad'n'Me project car... until they grow a year or two older, and discover the opposite sex, and lose interest.

In your case, a boy with a van who discovers girls can bring other... complications.

Just be ready for whatever comes in a year or two.

Meh, even if kiddo somehow doesn't realize the awesomeness of a Vanagon (especially) after "discovering" girls, Dad will still have a sick van.

Moterheaddad, could you post a photo of what you're talking about? I'm not sure if you're referring to a part of the tank itself or one of the rubber hoses/junctions that plug into it.

Also, welcome to forum.

SCM
That’s exactly how I feel. If he decides he doesn’t want it then I just got myself a rad car!!!
If you look at the second picture in the link that Vanagonjr posted, those are the lines.

Wed Oct 15, 2025 6:48 pm

Motorheaddad wrote:

SCM
That’s exactly how I feel. If he decides he doesn’t want it then I just got myself a rad car!!!
If you look at the second picture in the link that Vanagonjr posted, those are the lines.

I replaced my OE tank about 15 years ago and at that time the ONLY option was a tank sold under the brand of “Spectra” and it was sold by multiple venders and had none of the internal plumbing or filter screens tthat the OE tanks did. I’d bet thats still the case now too.

As long as the return line is still delivering gas back to the tank I wouldn’t think the busted hose is an issue.

The old tanks and the screens can get plugged with rust and gunk over time. For the cost of a new one versus the time spent screwing with it, I’d just buy a new tank from whoever has the coolest logo on their website.

Wed Oct 15, 2025 7:51 pm

I think you're right. I guess it’s time to go shopping for a tank.

Thu Oct 16, 2025 5:08 am

Motorheaddad wrote: I think you're right. I guess it’s time to go shopping for a tank.

Bingo!

And if you haven't replaced the fuel lines please do it now.

(The hard plastic return line usually does not need to be replaced. All others should though.)