It's that time of the year again, when the temperatures are in the high 90's and up, and engine fires are happening all around. This is a very sad subject, especially since I have just seen another Westy go up in flames and was not close enough to do anything about helping this person. This is something that really needs to be checked closely. I personally have had this happen to me and I can all but say, it was a bit scarey. Nothing is more terrifying than to see flames in the back window as you are looking in the mirror. So why do these happen? Well, of course, fuel is very flammable, but with age, hoses that this fuel goes through becomes hard & brittle, and even breaks. All of the Vanagons we love to drive are at least 10 to 20 years old by now, and if the hoses haven't ever been changed, really need to be. All fuel injected engines have at least 45 - 80 psi of fuel pressure going through these lines and if it breaks, you just started a fuel fed fire, like spraying gas out of a fire hydrant hose into a burning house. The exhaust in our Vanagons do get really hot, and since the injectors, & hoses are very close to these, can be a very serious situation. So here are some suggestions to consider. #1, if you smell gas when you walk past the engine - check it out immediately - this is the first tall tale sign you have a problem. #2, if engine just quits while driving, don't try to restart until you check to see that you didn't quit due to a fuel hose break. This was my problem, my Westy quit, I tried a restart, and all this time, I was just pumping fuel to the fire (remember, we have electric fuel pumps that work when you turn the key to start). #3, always make sure you have a good fire extinguisher on hand - this saved my Westy, I only had to replace fuel lines, and some of the wiring harness. #4, never try to remove the engine deck lid if you have a fire. You will just allow the fire to get into the rear of the bus that much easier, let alone get yourself burned. Always shoot the fire extinguisher through the license plate hole, so as to contain the fire quicker. #5, if you have people in the bus, get them out first and then try to save the vehicle - cars are easier to replace then family. #6, on the newer Vanagons, around '84 and on, they came with a composite / fiberglass deck lid covers. When a fire happens, these only last just a short period of time before they melt, as well as produce toxic smoke. Replace these with a metal one found in earlier models, like in an '81, etc. Metal ones don't melt and will keep the flames out of the inside of the vehicle. #7, Turn off the key before attempting to put out a fire. So to make this message a little shorter - replace those old & worn fuel injection hoses with new. Another caution - don't replace with just regular fuel hose! Make sure you are getting a high quality fuel injection, high pressure hose. There are two ways to go here - either the original 7 mm fuel hose from the VW dealership, which is a cloth braided rubber hose, or the American made 5/16 fuel injection hose (make sure it is stamped on the side of the hose, that it says, "high pressure fuel injection hose."). I personally recommend the American made hose, due to the fact I had installed the VW hose about a 1 & 1/2 years before, and it was the reason for my fire. Since then, I have used the American made hose, and haven't had a failure yet after over 2 years - each to his only experience, I say. Anyway, either type is going to better than the old stuff, so get them replaced. Normally, my '85 Westy took about 17 feet of the hose to do the whole engine compartment. My '89 Vanagon took about 22 feet of hose to do the whole engine compartment and to the fuel pump and tank. The cost of around $80 to $100 for the fuel hose & clamps is well worth the cost of a total. Insurance companies are really bad at giving you what your Vanagon is worth in a situation like this. I do hope this suggestion comes before someone else loses their pride and joy, let alone their loved ones (does a Vanagon count as a loved one?!??) I have posted this in the archives about 2 years ago, and being that most of us don't take the time to search the archive much, felt it is worth the time to get us educated again. Good luck and happy trails for our Vanagons.
"Is that a barbeque I smell?" CGOTTS
[This message was edited by Capt. Mike on April 27, 2003 at 07:20 AM.]

[This message was edited by Capt. Mike on April 27, 2003 at 07:20 AM.]