Author |
Message |
spacebiscuit Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2016 Posts: 368 Location: UK
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 12:50 pm Post subject: Stored Bus Question |
|
|
My '70 bus is being stored at a friend's yard in a shipping container. When he open teh container periodically he said there is a strong smell of gasoline. I mentioned this to my mechanic when it was recently serviced and he didn't find anything untoward, his opinion was it won't suddenly combust which I think is my friends concern. The fuel lines were changed within 1000 miles and the bus is in good shape and I drove it recently, no noticeable leaks etc.
Take into consideration that those who drive new cars that run silently and a far less polluting tend to be over concerned about things that we might have to live with, or does he have a point?
Any feedback to ease my friend's worries very much welcome? _________________ 1972 Type 2 1600cc
1990 MKII Golf 1.6 CL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16883 Location: sticksville, ct.
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: Stored Bus Question |
|
|
seeing these have zero ventilation and get 150*+ in the summer i'd suspect the vapors are just part of the deal.
with no air movement it's going to stink _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
spacebiscuit Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2016 Posts: 368 Location: UK
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 12:59 pm Post subject: Re: Stored Bus Question |
|
|
Location is the UK where the summer is very hit and miss, we only had a couple of days surpass 90 degree this year, but yeah it can get hot in there which is why we opens it up periodically. There is a small vent too so there is a little air-flow... _________________ 1972 Type 2 1600cc
1990 MKII Golf 1.6 CL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: Stored Bus Question |
|
|
Your fuel system is not going to be tightly sealed as per a modern car, so some vapors are going to be normal. Maybe add vents to the doors on the shipping container to increase ventilation.
If you haven't done so, inspect and if need be replace all the short piece of rubber how in the tank ventilation system. Also check the fuel filler elbow(s), as they rot with time and can easily leak. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
my59 Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2003 Posts: 3793 Location: connecting the dots
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: Stored Bus Question |
|
|
I'd also be concerned about condensation, as the container will heat up all day and likely hit dew point at night.
On a construction site in NE US, owners stored household goods for about 18 months ina water proof container. The clothes all washed out ok. The mattresses went onto a dumpster. _________________ my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51153 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: Stored Bus Question |
|
|
I use a number of containers for storage, but every single one gets a couple of 1' x 2' louver vents cut in at the low side of one end and the high side of the other before anything even goes in, those tiny vents that withstand a sea voyage are too small to do any good for long term use. With enough air exchange even a tiny water leak somewhere won't turn the whole box into a sauna.
How long has the bus been stored?, after a year or more ethanol gas turns cheap braided lines into soaker hose, it may be trying to de-fuel itself before it eats out the carb and makes the tank all goopy and rusty inside. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: Stored Bus Question |
|
|
one concern I might have is that the carb is overflowing and dumping gasoline into the engine. Also one must question whether the gas tank is vented, or the air cleaner is original.
The easiest solution is to have the fire marshall in the area do an inspection on the container to sniff if the mixture is explosive. Gasoline fumes will only burn at certain concentrations but if that concentration is reached and it goes off, there will be nothing left of the bus or container, not to mention anyone nearby. One gallon of vaporized gasoline is equal to just less than 100 sticks of dynamite. That is a REALLY big explosion.
Err on the side of caution, and you can get the question answered by professionals. The dipstick oil level will tell you if the carb is leaking into the engine. _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
|
Back to top |
|
|
aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16971 Location: San Diego, California
|
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: Stored Bus Question |
|
|
Get one of those solar powered vent fans. Cut a hole and move some air through there.
Also,
I’d drain the fuel on a car I wanted to preserve _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|