Re: Jetta GLX under body design flaw (long but good)

["Michael & Carmen Keith" <mikeandcarmen@pdq.net>]

Have you explored the possibility of getting this covered under insurance
being that it was a road hazard?

The fuel lines on my race car (& I assume all other A2 cars) are also
plastic & are routed the way that you describe.  In fact, mine hang a bit
lower then they are supposed to, & the car itself has a very low ride
height.  Yet despite all this, these fuel lines have survived a number of
off-course excursions, & the mud & grass that is caked on them afterwards
tells me that they are dragging the ground when I go off course.  Therefore,
I would conclude that the lines are durable, & the design is sound.  I think
that what happened to you is out of the ordinary & is not something to worry
about (at least I hope not).  Of course, I do carry spare fuel line with me
to every race.

Michael Keith
Pasadena, TX
'98 Jetta GLX
'85 Golf SCCA ITB/DSP
-----Original Message-----
From: deecee@exit109.com <deecee@exit109.com>
To: jettaglx@igtc.com <jettaglx@igtc.com>
Date: Saturday, December 12, 1998 9:47 PM
Subject: Re: Jetta GLX under body design flaw (long but good)


>At 03:31 PM 12/10/98 -0800, you wrote:
>>Just took my six month old Jetta GLX the VW dealer
>>because it was leaking gas from underneath the
>>car. Now, I'm no engineer but, I do know a little
>>about fluids & dynamics. I would love to talk to
>>the Volkswagen engineer that designed the underbody
>>to my Jetta and educuate him/her a little. There are 3
>>fuel related lines that run from the rear (gas tank)
>>of the car to the front of the car. One (black) line
>>is the main feeder line that carries gas to the engine.
>>The second (white) line is a vapor recovery line or
>>return line; while the third (blue) is a air line.
>>The problem is that all of these lines are exposed to
>>the elements, not housed or insulated and there fucken
>>(pardon my French) plastic.
>>
>>As far as I know, and as many cars I've worked on, uni-
>>body and all, I have never seen EXPOSED PLASTIC gas lines
>>mounted to the underbody of a car. When they are exposed
>>they should be made of steel. If that is not the case,
>>typically, fuel lines are run along/in the frame, chasis,
>>or in the undertray completely protected from the elements.
>>Obviously, the Volkswagen engineers don't think this is
>>necesary. Well, they should because mine was slightly cut
>>when I ran over a (small diameter) tree branch that I could
>>not avoid. Clearly, if the lines were run properly or made
>>of steel this would not have been a problem. Could it be
>>an explosive matter?
>>
>>I don't know if some of you remember the problems that the
>>Volkswagen Bug had during its hay day (60's) but, let me
>>tell you... Several people lost their lives when their bug
>>exploded because of a fuel line design flaw. There was a time
>>when they ran fuel lines over the exhaust manifold. Well, I
>>guess Volkswagen did not learn their lesson. This is a real
>>danger.
>>
>>If any of you have a chance, take a look under your Jetta
>>to see what I'm talking about. Look on the right (passenger)
>>hand side near the rear wheels. They also hang down a little.
>>toward the rear wheel. Please notice that near the engine they
>>are housed in the undertray. Well thats how it should be all
>>the way through to the rear with small access inlets for service
>>access. Oh well.
>>
>>Now, I just hope my dealer will fix this under the two year
>>warrenty bumper to bumper plan and not say that this was a
>>road hazzard or act of god. The problem is clearly a design
>>flaw. Just poor engeering.
>>
>>We'll keep ya posted,
>>Tony
>>
>>
>
>Tony, First the reason for the plastic lines is to eliminate the
>possibility of  rust in the fuel system. If you notice approximately 90% of
>the entire fuel system is plastic. Less chance of corrosion. The fuel lines
>must meet federal requirements for strength. They are routed outside the
>body to eliminate the possibility of fuel inside the passenger compartment
>and ease of assembly in production.  The Type I had the fuel line  run
>inside the tunnel back to the engine. The line would rust inside and than
>leak fuel.  The replacement involved routing a new line outside of the
>tunnel and along the floor pan.  The only reason the Type I had fire
>problems is not because of the location but more due to lack of maintenance
>by the owner. Fuel leaks + spark plug wire arching = fire.
>
>It's a shame that you had a problem, but from a warranty point of view I
>would be very surprised if the dealer covered the part. After we replace a
>part under warranty VWOA in Michigan can request the part for inspection. I
>have never replaced a fuel line under warranty. I am sure if VWOA saw the
>claim for a fuel line they would definitely want to see the defective part.
>When they inspect the part and see the defect is from an outside influence
>they will debit the dealer for the claim. Because it is not a warranty
matter.
>
>
>Don
>
>VWDealer@onelist.com
>
>