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rpaitich
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Auburn CA
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 Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 7:38 am Post subject: Vanagon fuel tank has gas but doesn't supply fuel |
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No fuel gets to the fuel pump ('91 Westy 2WD) even though the tank is 3/4 full; the lines are not clogged.
After a lot of testing, I found that the fuel pickup in the fuel tank appears to be above the level of the fuel, even with 3/4 tank. This is a new problem for this Vanagon. Vanagon has 180K miles.
I disconnected the fuel line that goes from the right rear corner of the tank to the input port of the fuel pump, and no fuel pours out. I blew air into the line that goes to the tank and all I hear is air, no bubbles.
I added 5 gal of fuel, bringing it to full, and it runs fine; the bus won’t run unless the tank is above 3/4. What’s wrong? |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17131
Location: Brookeville, MD
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rpaitich
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Auburn CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| dobryan wrote: |
| It sounds like the pick-up has become detached from the inside bottom of the tank. You can drop the tank and look inside to confirm. |
Dave,
Thanks for your note, but I'm puzzled...if the pickup is at the bottom of the tank, shouldn't fuel flow out the normal outlet?
Is it likely it can be repaired? ...or must the tank be replaced?
Ron |
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1vw4x4
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 472
Location: Pgh. PA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon fuel tank has gas but doesn't supply fuel |
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The pickup tube goes into a screen in the center of the tank. It can not
be seen at any angle. I'm thinking the fuel gauge is all wrong.
| rpaitich wrote: |
No fuel gets to the fuel pump ('91 Westy 2WD) even though the tank is 3/4 full; the lines are not clogged.
After a lot of testing, I found that the fuel pickup in the fuel tank appears to be above the level of the fuel, even with 3/4 tank. This is a new problem for this Vanagon. Vanagon has 180K miles.
I disconnected the fuel line that goes from the right rear corner of the tank to the input port of the fuel pump, and no fuel pours out. I blew air into the line that goes to the tank and all I hear is air, no bubbles.
I added 5 gal of fuel, bringing it to full, and it runs fine; the bus won’t run unless the tank is above 3/4. What’s wrong? |
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rpaitich
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Auburn CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 9:38 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon fuel tank has gas but doesn't supply fuel |
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| 1vw4x4 wrote: |
The pickup tube goes into a screen in the center of the tank. It can not
be seen at any angle. I'm thinking the fuel gauge is all wrong.
| rpaitich wrote: |
No fuel gets to the fuel pump ('91 Westy 2WD) even though the tank is 3/4 full; the lines are not clogged.
After a lot of testing, I found that the fuel pickup in the fuel tank appears to be above the level of the fuel, even with 3/4 tank. This is a new problem for this Vanagon. Vanagon has 180K miles.
I disconnected the fuel line that goes from the right rear corner of the tank to the input port of the fuel pump, and no fuel pours out. I blew air into the line that goes to the tank and all I hear is air, no bubbles.
I added 5 gal of fuel, bringing it to full, and it runs fine; the bus won’t run unless the tank is above 3/4. What’s wrong? |
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That was my thought also (bad gas gauge), but based on the last fillip and miles driven, 3/4 tank is about right. |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17131
Location: Brookeville, MD
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rpaitich
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Auburn CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 10:03 am Post subject: |
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| dobryan wrote: |
The pick-up can be seen if you drop the tank and remove the fuel gauge sender as far as I remember. This gives you a nice big hole in the top of the tank to look into.
Here is what it looks like inside.
If the pick hose became detached (or the entire screen/hose assembly) it could be now at a higher point which would give you the symptoms you describe. |
OK, now I see; thanks Dave.
Ron |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18726
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 10:20 am Post subject: |
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| Interesting how VW installed a screen filter on the return as well. That could play some havoc if it became slowly plugged over time. |
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1vw4x4
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 472
Location: Pgh. PA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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I have cut opened a fuel tank to find someone had tried to seal the tank.
They did a great job! Sealed the pickup screen to!
| rpaitich wrote: |
| dobryan wrote: |
The pick-up can be seen if you drop the tank and remove the fuel gauge sender as far as I remember. This gives you a nice big hole in the top of the tank to look into.
Here is what it looks like inside.
If the pick hose became detached (or the entire screen/hose assembly) it could be now at a higher point which would give you the symptoms you describe. |
OK, now I see; thanks Dave.
Ron |
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1vw4x4
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 472
Location: Pgh. PA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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I just went out and checked my scrap pile. This tank you show is not what
I have on any of them. The tanks I have a vw factory original late model.
They have a metal plate or large disc that acts as a pickup screen. The
return line goes into the same area. This is why I say you can't see anything.
| rpaitich wrote: |
| dobryan wrote: |
The pick-up can be seen if you drop the tank and remove the fuel gauge sender as far as I remember. This gives you a nice big hole in the top of the tank to look into.
Here is what it looks like inside.
If the pick hose became detached (or the entire screen/hose assembly) it could be now at a higher point which would give you the symptoms you describe. |
OK, now I see; thanks Dave.
Ron |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 10367
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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Stock tanks vary. Don't know why the differences over time. Not my photo. Looks like it was made to have a screen basket over that center hole.
Mark |
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snowsyncro
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Joined: January 11, 2009
Posts: 1557
Location: East Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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I have a van that, sometime before it got to me, the supply and return lines on the tank have been switched. That is, the fuel pump supply runs from the pump inlet, across the crossmember, to the normal return line fitting. It has been that way for at least seven years, and it works fine. The design of the tank inside is identical to that last photo that Mark posted.
Might be a quick fix for the OP's problem.
RonC |
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rpaitich
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Auburn CA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 8:54 am Post subject: |
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| snowsyncro wrote: |
I have a van that, sometime before it got to me, the supply and return lines on the tank have been switched. That is, the fuel pump supply runs from the pump inlet, across the crossmember, to the normal return line fitting. It has been that way for at least seven years, and it works fine. The design of the tank inside is identical to that last photo that Mark posted.
Might be a quick fix for the OP's problem.
RonC |
Swapping in/out lines is a clever idea; it's worth a try. |
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xflyer
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2006
Posts: 313
Location: SOCAL
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| Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon fuel tank has gas but doesn't supply fuel |
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There was a recall on the Vanagon fuel tanks, in the early 90s,for exactly this reason, the outlet line came loose inside the tank and could end up towards the top. Then no fuel would get to the pump and engine when the tank level got below the outlet line. Fuel tanks were replaced under warranty. I don't recall the year(s) that were affected.
_________________
1989 Campmobile, 1984 7 passenger beater Vanagon
Both with cool A/C |
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