fuel lines

[u63af]

My car went in for its mot today and the mot station advised me that my fuel lines have some corrosion to the rear. I was going to cut out the corroded parts and replace it with flexible rubber fuel hose. Just wondering if any of you guys have done this and if so what diameter bore hose do I need (at work just now so cant get under the car)?
Cheers
Sandy

 

[James_G]

The previous owners has done this on mine (jubilee clips and fuel hose []) and its passed the MOT since no problem, but advice has been that there are better (and safer) ways of doing it. I am favouring the 2nd option below: Expensive (and unlikely) Option Drop the geearbox and replace all the pipes with new. There is a rumour that somebody has figured a way of doing this without dropping the gearbox, which I am sure somebody will confirm. Less Expensive (likely) Option Fitting some PFTE coated flexi-pipe with proper union joints attached to the good bit of the fuel pipe. Somebody has done this as I remember the post, but I can't find it and I would love to know where to get these flexi-pipes from. Can anybody advise me and the OP? Cheers James

 

[zcacogp]

James, Pirtek is the usual supplier of high pressure hoses. Great company, lots and lots of local branches, and usually very helpful. They run a fleet of large vans which have hose-making machines in the back. If you need a hose, give them a call and they'll make one up for you. In situ if need be. http://www.pirtek.co.uk/ Oli.

 

[James_G]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp James, Pirtek is the usual supplier of high pressure hoses. Great company, lots and lots of local branches, and usually very helpful. They run a fleet of large vans which have hose-making machines in the back. If you need a hose, give them a call and they'll make one up for you. In situ if need be. [link=http://www.pirtek.co.uk/]http://www.pirtek.co.uk/[/link] Oli.

Oli, thanks for this. As luck would have it there's a service centre here in Guildford so I'll be paying them a visit very soon. Cheers James

 

[Hilux]

My car went in for its mot today and the mot station advised me that my fuel lines have some corrosion to the rear. I was going to cut out the corroded parts and replace it with flexible rubber fuel hose. Just wondering if any of you guys have done this and if so what diameter bore hose do I need (at work just now so cant get under the car)?

The lines normally rot where they raise up just after the rear floor pan. Many people simply cut out and replace this section with a flexible pipe and jubilee (wrong) or petrol line clips (right with a proviso) The proviso is that you have a high pressure fuel pump and a straight pipe with a straight hose can blow off. It is good (safe) practice to either 1) Flare or create raised ends or section to the ends of the metal line (note all water hose connections have this and its not under half the pressure!) or to have hoses made with compression fittings. Jubilee clips do not afford even pressure all around (not such a danger issue on water pipes) whereas dedicated fuel line clips do (hence their name)

 

[u63af]

I will probably get some made at pirtek then. I had thought of this but seen as the fuel pressure reg is fitted with a jubille clip I thought that it would be ok. Would compression fit (sleeve style) joints work with a flexible hose made by pirtek?

 

[Fen]

I agree with Paul. It is a good point re: the fuel pressure regulator although later cars changed over to a compression fitting and the FPR has a flared section to assist sealing and reduce the chances of hose blow-off.

 

[u63af]

I am going to use standard fuel hose to do it but I am going to swage (put a ridge on) the ends of the solid fuel line so that the hose cannot blow off. and use 3 fuel clips on each section of hose. Probably a bit over kill but I dont want it blowing off. Cheers Sandy

 

[u63af]

Forgot to say, my car is a later turbo with the threaded fuel pressure reg but I am changing it to a 3 bar one so it will become a fuel clipped connection

 

[bertelli_1]

The 'professional' way to do it is to drop the axle & fit new OEM pipes. This is costly (mainly in labour) but will last another 20 years.

 

[Big Dave]

Just out of interest. I have a pair of rear fuel pipes ,,, "spare" . I bought them to do my 944S2 but they didnt realy need doing, + now sold the car...They dont fit the 968... These are the Genuine Porsche versions , I bought them from Kendal OPC last year.... Are they any use to anybody..??? Make me an offer i cant refuse... PS,, theyd probably be better picked up as i wouldnt want to post them. Ive heard horror stories of bent + buckled pipes posted....

 

[u63af]

Dave, Thanks for the offer but I am in Scotland. Cheers sandy

 

[swright]

ORIGINAL: u63af I am going to use standard fuel hose to do it but I am going to swage (put a ridge on) the ends of the solid fuel line so that the hose cannot blow off. and use 3 fuel clips on each section of hose. Probably a bit over kill but I dont want it blowing off. Cheers Sandy

Don't use standard fuel hose because it WILL burst!!! And that's from personal experience when i replaced the pipes on my old lux. Only use the high pressure fuel injection grade hose.

 

[rcsalmons]

I went the Pirtek route, supply pipe had a fitting directly on to the filter one end and the other a compression joint. The return pipe went directly to the top of the tank and a compression joint at the other end. The pipe was high pressure fuel hose and also purchased some sleeving material similar to seat belt material to avoid any abrasion. Total cost less than £100. Its not realistic to put a swage/flange on the existing pipes while fitted to the car they are made of steel, not copper! Rich

 

[Hilux]

Its not realistic to put a swage/flange on the existing pipes while fitted to the car they are made of steel, not copper!

Dunno, never done it however if the pipe is cut and can be moved away from the underside a bit it is entirely feasible with a brake line tool!

 

[bennyboy]

What's the story with fuel lines? Worth replacing if still original on a 20 year old car? Should they all be done at once? Dave, are yours the full kit?

 

[Big Dave]

Ben. If your dropping the rear beam, to say re-index , then YES its defo worth replacing the fuel lines, if not some of the hard to get at brake lines too... The S2/turbo lines are now supplied in 2 sections, the front + rear. They have a join about half way along the car... My set are just the rear sections. Ie flow + return pipes. Complete with connectors...Brand new still with the Porsche part no tags on...Drop me a PM if interested....

 

[u63af]

Paul, I was thinking of doing it with my brake flaring/swaging kit as you say and will keep you posted on the progress. Need to think of the best way to cut through the pipe without making too many sparks[]. Suppose if I drain it first, it should be ok. Cheers Sandy

 

[JamesO]

I was tempted by the RPM flexible hoses all the way through, I think their £350 pounds ish. Anybody used them?

 

[Hilux]

Need to think of the best way to cut through the pipe without making too many sparks

[][][][] Hacksaw or pad saw (handle with a hacksaw blade protruding) and ensure swarf and rough edges are removed or brake line cutter if theres room to ease the pipes away by undoing a number of clips. Note: a kunifer or copper brake line cutter isnt man enough on metal however I am positive the flarer will be. Shouldnt be a need for a high speed cutting blade! I may be ststing the obvious but ensure the pressure has either bled off (it does) or you release the pressure and have something to catch the petrol.