TheSamba.com :: View topic - The Grommet for My Fuel Breather Pipe to Fuel Tank is Out

Thu Sep 26, 2024 2:17 pm

We're far from home and I discovered that the grommet for the fuel breather pipe to the fuel tank is pulled out. The location is shown in the diagram here:

https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/us/n90100401-g...HIEALw_wcB

I can't really see it; I can only feel it. I tried pushing it back in but only accomplished some bloody knuckles. It looks like it would be near impossible to get that grommet back in there without pulling the tank. Is there any secret to getting this back in?

Thu Sep 26, 2024 2:29 pm

Jack Vanagon up and take off the Wheel to gain ease of working space.
Or, leave wheel on and turn wheel as far as possible in the direction that helps you work on the grommet.

Apply Silicone Grease to the Grommet and carefully work it back into the Tank, removing any hose that's in the grommet first to make it easier to install the Grommet. If the hose bard end is plastic that goes into that grommet, be careful installing into the grommet as the plastic versions are easier to break than the aluminum tee that's also out there.

NAPA sells Sly-Glide Silicone Grease.
You could use Vaseline in a pinch, or Glycerin, which is sometimes available at Drugstores/Pharmacies.

Thu Sep 26, 2024 3:09 pm

I agree with jrlftype7 advice. I have done this myself successfully. One thing to add is when you are installing the metal tube or plastic hose barb back into the rubber grommet, be very careful not to push the rubber grommet into the fuel tank (learned this the hard way). A little grease on the tube or barb end and using a finger to confirm you are inserting it into the grommet hole can help. Also a small mirror and flash light should allow you to see the area/hole where the grommet goes.

Thu Sep 26, 2024 3:36 pm

I've used WD40 or just spit to lube the rubber back into the bunghole

YMMV

also hold it firmly in your hand not putting pressure on any of the small fittings and provide firm slow downward pressure with a slight twist back and forth.. very slight.. you'll feel it pop right into place and don't go to far as noted above.

Fri Sep 27, 2024 4:27 am

Did the grommet fail or did the tension on the vent lines pull the the vent and/or the grommet out? I experienced the latter and had to reroute my vent lines to take the upward tension off the vent lines.

From an old thread where I was having vent/grommet problems after completely renewing the tank, vents, lines, & grommets. Rereading this 4 years later, some [corrections] were needed to the text, I also gooped the grommets and vents with fuel resistant sealant when I refitted them. The goop (or even liquid dish soap) may make it easier for you to refit the grommet and vent rather versus refitting them dry.

sanchius wrote: For the gas tank top vent grommets (photo below), you can reach in behind the two front wheels and feel the gas tank top grommets. You can also stick your phone in there from the side or front (with the clamshell down) and take a bunch of pictures to see if the gas tank top grommets and the vents are still seated well. The symptom with these not being correct is you will spill gasoline on the ground when doing a full fill. The way I had my lines run to those grommets [metal vents] was pulling the grommets [metal vents] up and out of place [their rubber grommets] as shown below. Once I fixed tension on these lines, all was well.

Fri Sep 27, 2024 12:02 pm

all the fuel tank reseals l've done, l found, DON'T lubricate the seal into the tank, put that one in dry, lubricate the inside of the seal to take the barbed fitting.
l found that lubricating the seal into the tank, increases the chance of the seal being pushed into the tank.
l've had to drop more than one tank to fish the seal out and do the job again.
now l have many more seals than l need, and if it falls in, it's not likely to clog a pipe, l leave it in there, spending half an hour or more of my time, is more than a $7 seal.