[T2] Fuel filler hose

[LJ Evans]

I finally found a shop that is good with old VWs, including my 1976 2000cc Kombi/Riviera camper. They're doing a lot of good, important things that I don't know how to do and it's going to cost me a fortune but at least she'll run a lot better, be a lot safer and they give a 36 month/36,000 mile warranty on parts and labor which I will definitely use if I need to. FYI, the shop is Simards Automotive in Fairbanks, Alaska.

I have a question about something they diagnosed, though, and depending on your advice, a followup question. I've been having trouble with people in the back complaining about gas fumes when I fill up. I never top off because of that. Question 1: I asked these guys if they could replace that hose, and they said they can't do that without taking out the engine. Is that right? 

These guys have entered the 21st century, they sent me a pdf with all the info including notes from the technician and costs for everything. Here's what the tech says about the fuel fill line:

Confirmed customers concern. Started filling tank and found fuel leaking from 
the right rear corner of the body. Removed inspection cover for filler neck 
and found hose very dry cracked. Started filling with fuel again and found fuel
is leaking through cracks. Unable to see other end of hose. There is a big cover
behind the engine that would have to be removed. Need to replace filler neck hose and
remove fuel tank cover. Not sure on labor time.

Anything having to do with fuel hoses being dry and cracked makes me very nervous. This seems like something that just has to be addressed, if not this week very soon. (Note: I found a different shop, now out of business, the first summer after I bought the bus, and I asked them to do a long list of things, mostly based on advice from YOU folks, and one of the things on that list was replace ALL the fuel lines. I guess they didn't consider the filler hose one of the fuel lines. So all of the rest of the fuel lines were replaced in 2009)

Question 2: If they're right, and they have to drop the engine to replace the filler hose, this is something I will schedule for later in the summer. Would that give them enough access to the gas tank to replace the gas gauge sender at the same time?

Thanks, as always.
    LJ