$1.49 fuel line firewall solution

mjanderle · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 4:36 pm Post subject: $1.49 fuel line firewall solution

So as a good new vanagon owner I'm doing due diligence and replacing all the fuel lines.

One thing I researched are the available firewall adapters including units from Van Cafe, Foreign Auto Supply, and Go Westy.

Van Cafe : $39.00
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1130_965/fuel-line-firewall-adapter.html

FAS : $59.00
http://www.foreignautosupply.com/parts-accessories/53-fastt-replacement-fuel-spigot/#.VardnZOvFTM

Go Westy : Double flanged grommet
Couldn't find the listing...thought it was $20 or something?

My solution : Hardware store double flanged grommet for $1.49

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

For other dudes that want to go this route, look for a grommet with a 7/8 rim diameter. Fits perfectly. Saves nickels.
_________________
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1979 Honda XL250
2004 BMW R1150GSA
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD OR
1987 VW Vanagon Wolfsberg Edition, Westfalia Weekender

Gone but not forgotten, 1976 Toyota Land Crusier FJ40

Déjà-nesia - Having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this s@*t before.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Great idea.

Wait till that rubber grommet wears though and that sharp sheet metal slices through that fuel line .

You'll see real quick how much you really saved.
_________________
T.K.

djkeev · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 4:47 pm Post subject:

Yes, that works..... For awhile.

The grommet will wear into the sharp metal edge and then The fuel line gets cut.

Keep an eye on it. I am guessing a year or so....

Dave
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pbrown · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:00 pm Post subject:

A brass bulkhead fitting would be more reliable. This one is about $10.00.
https://www.fastfittings.com/product/318

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mjanderle · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:08 pm Post subject:

kalispell365 · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:10 pm Post subject:

Your grommet will work just fine...
Just make sure there is ne pressure from the fuel line against any part of it. I have been doing this for many years and this is a common fix. People just have to po-po this when they are trying to sell you something.
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1983 Diesel Vanagon Westfalia chassis with Subaru 2.2l

danfromsyr · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:16 pm Post subject:

I tend the pass the single line under the firewall and hand it with a ziptie (loosely) from the old hole.
shrugs, essentially free and
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djkeev · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:47 pm Post subject:

mjanderle · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:50 pm Post subject:

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 6:06 pm Post subject:

The grommet looks fine to me. I have firewall grommets on other cars that are more than 50 years old that have not worn though.

The advantage of the grommet over a fitting (other than price) is that it eliminates two connections.

Me -- I just feed the line under the 'firewall' and slip a length of heater hose over the line to give it some additional protection.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Here's an FYI ;
Talked to a friend of mine in NY state who is a retired engineer who worked at Grumman Aircraft for 35 years.
Worked in the engine / jet design dept.

I brought this very subject up a couple of months ago just like this and out of the clear blue;

"Charlie, why do aircraft use bulkhead fuel fittings on the firewall of All aircraft"?

"Why, to prevent fuel line failure & fire"

Now, this is exactly why the steel firewall fitting were first manufactured to replace the tired
often fracturing stock VW issue fittings.

Ever seen a Lycoming, or Continental opposing engine run?
If not , they rock on their mounts just as your VW engine does, only a little worse because of the prop.
Radial engines are worse just because of their size , the mounts,
The propellers.

So anyway, I mentioned your grommet solution to Charles, and he wanted to know what was wrong here.

I told him frugality en-mass.

I did agree with him once the grommet goes bye-bye gets to the fuel line the expenses will be insurmountably more than the proper fitting.

Trying to rationalize here is impossible I know, but just for the heck of it "Now You Know The Rest Of The Story".

But I knew all of this years ago when this subject has comes up regarding the grommet fuel line bandaide.
_________________
T.K.

ThankYouJerry · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 7:37 pm Post subject:

Is saving the equivalent of your next 9 Starbucks coffees worth the fate and value of your van? Rolling Eyes

Sure, the grommet will work just fine for a while... until it doesn't. Shocked

Will you be ready?

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1130_286/fuel-line-firewall-adapter.html
http://blazecut.com/small-enclosures/engine-compartments/
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23871&category_id=23872&category_parent_id=

Or this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kIwGx3kFpE
http://www.wikihow.com/Roast-Marshmallows

Your choice.
_________________
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danfromsyr · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:19 pm Post subject:

I've had poor long term luck with many "new" rubber seals and grommets from drawers/kits
they will not last as long as the OEM factory rubber elastomers
you find a OEM one and I may take you up on it.. but from a bulk bin drawer or compartmentalized kit.. not for my fuel lines..
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kamzcab86 · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:38 pm Post subject:

danfromsyr · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:46 pm Post subject:

see that one look better to me..
talc applied to supple rubber
not a shiny surfaced 'plasticized' rubber for bulk bin/kit visual appeal.
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jimf909 · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:56 pm Post subject:

djkeev · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 2:22 am Post subject:

Kam...... Interesting point!
My guess is that the fuel is not under pressure, simply returning free flow to the fuel tank.
If a leak occurred, it would not be a geyser ........ but rather a drip.

Anyway.......
Here is my 1986 return line.

I still have this bushing in a baggie in my Vanagon shed...... I will locate it and examine it for damage......

Here is the hole for the fuel feed fitting....

And the hole for the fuel return line, the return line is plastic line......

Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Consider this;

Why would the Van-Cafe include the steel bulkhead fitting with their replacement fuel line kit?

I think the answer is pretty simple.

Peter knew about the hinkey rubber grommet's at the firewall that folks were using, also knew the nylon fittings were getting old and fracturing, and decided to make the engine a safe haven for fuel to be introduced.

Why change the fuel lines?
I see this blurb here often.
Must be a fire issue on the high pressure feed line.
Then why not do the job right?--you guys are taking one step forward, and then 6 steps back.

Rocket science-?
Absolutely not.

Another common sense & good judgement issue some folks skip for the sake of a couple of bucks--and if they sourced the fuel line kit from the VC they would get the correct feed line fitting for the firewall included.

Must be something to that thing--
_________________
T.K.

insyncro · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:33 am Post subject:

No rubber grommets on the Syncros Wink

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Or bulkhead fittings.

Odd fuel tank placement.
_________________
T.K.


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