This is a question asked frequently by many readers of this magazine. I have also found this question asked a number of times on the ramva newsgroup.
RAMVA : http://ramva.vwmagazine.com

There is a number of factors to the engine catching on fire. Lets start with the basics.

When your engine is hot, this is a perfect enviroment for a fire to start, and when you get **ANY** flammable material on this hot engine, you can have fires. The biggest cause of flammable materials getting on your engine are from old, rotten fuel lines. Yes, gas is *HIGHLY* flammable.

So where do I start to ensure that I wont have fires?
Even if you do your best on replacing the fuel lines, you may still get fires from minute amounts of fuel. Your VDUBs engine will get *VERY* hot. Always carry a fire extinguisher in the backseat of your volkswagen. I guarantee you it will come in handy someday.

I want to replace my fuel lines, where do I start?
Start with :
The piece under the gas tank.
The piece exiting from the frame horn next to the tranny.
The piece going to the fuel pump.
The piece between the fuel pump and carbs.

HOSE CLAMPS
Always use the correct size of HOSE CLAMPS at every single joint. Ask your fuel line supplier for the correct ones, your local volkswagen shop may not give you the correct one however.
You will also want to make sure you get ***METRIC*** fuel lines. Did you get that, ***METRIC*** fuel lines. One of the biggest causes of fires are from incorrect hose. Dont use American hose.
ROUTING FUEL LINES Always make sure that all of your hoses have some free play to move, always avoid tight bends because these hoses will wear prematurely. Make sure you always route fuel lines as far away as possible of exhaust pipes.

CARB FITTINGS
Make sure that your carburetor fittings are tight. If you do not tighten these correctly a huge amount of gasoline will go right on your engine. Your vdub is now as potentially hazardous as a ryder truck with a ton of fertilizer.

CONCLUSION
The next time you go out to work on your vdub, make sure you inspect the fuel lines and fittings for looseness, or cracks & breaks. Keeping your fuel lines in good shape will be what keeps your vdub from burning up. Eventually those old fuel lines will crack & break.

Brock Eastman - brock@vwmagazine.com