This is really a post to underline what the more experienced TLBers tell us 'newbies' about replacing breather hoses. Spotted this today up one of the rear corners, so replaced what must be the original 1977 hose . Another one to do round the back of the back Engine bay panel What I do not understand is that when the bus was painted, the engine was out and the panel was off. For the price of a bit of hose, why not bloody replace them then ?
Good post Lofty, Have done all mine behind the firewall, just the one in the awkward place plus 2 more by the engine door. The hose cost a few quid,
the one that is usually missed and causes smells and possible fires is the little one behind the spare wheel well, you can remove the rear light to gain access or if you're clever enough you can do it without, mine was like chalk when i changed it, this was the hose that Chrisradioman thinks caused his bus fire.
Discovered mine was split when in Italy last year pump attendant tried to get 5 extra litres in the tank and it pushed the petrol round the breather pipes to the weak joint, in 40 degree heat petrol dripping past the exhaust just pushed the van to one side and sat there with fire extinguisher in hand till engine cooled down, then mended it and away we went,but scarey times 900 miles from home, Steve
If anyone thinks there not capable of doing this themselves then buy the fuel hose and clamps etc When im at a show or camp ill happily change all your fuel lines and breathers for a few beers or some smoke If the history of your bus is unknown its well worth dropping your engine and pulling the firewall to see the condition of the tank filler and breather hoses Modern fuel contains bio ethanol which eats the original and few year old replacement fuel pipe When i got my bus i fitted new braided hose from jk as the original had perished it took four months of the bus sitting on the drive being run for half an hour a week for the replacement braided hose to perish
It was expensive went to attendant pump rather than self service it was 25cents a litre dearer as well that's why he was trying to get more in the tank, Steve
Just a question I have a T piece in my breather lines just above the bonnet,with only two pipes going to it should I remove the T and just join the two pipes?
Yup. This one caught me out when I first bought the van and I filled up to find a stream of petrol all over the forecourt
Up behind the spare wheel well. Take out the nearside rear light and look in and up and you'll see it.
Don't forget to check the fuel filler too, the neck and the pipe lower down into the tank, did our filler neck a couple of years ago, it was shot to pieces...
I would reccomend to everyone with a new to them bus to drop the engine and check and replace the lot My own bus had covered a very low milage from new as its an ex dutch emergency van When i dropped the engine and tank this is what i found Im quite happy to travel some distance and replace these parts for people as i hate the thought of people losing there bus never mind one of there loved ones However if ive got to travel a distance then id have to chatge for my travveling costs and the work i do Its only certain things im happy to do for beer and smoke at shows and camps Anyway heres some pics to make you think before you go on your next journey Looks ok when its connected to the tank Whats hiding behind your firewall? and how much are you willing to gamble its ok?
I was glad I did ours, I managed with the engine in (type 4), damn site easier with the engine out, when we got our bus 3 years ago, I could smell fuel and did the fuel filler neck and the connection to the tank. Attached the horrors I found, if you smell fuel, it needs urgent investigation.
Thanks for posting that keith People think im scare mongering when i mention it Im all for make do and mend untill it comes to safety
Both our buses have now had the whole lot replaced, better safe than sorry and should be good for a fair few years!
