Porous Fuel Line
Discussion
Started the S3 for the first time since June this year and was sprayed with fuel.
There were four jets that I could see. Not pleasant at all as it went over me, the screen and the engine!
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q747/fu211/lea...
Big job or not? As I wanted to get cleaned up I haven't explored how far the flexible extends.
There were four jets that I could see. Not pleasant at all as it went over me, the screen and the engine!
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q747/fu211/lea...
Big job or not? As I wanted to get cleaned up I haven't explored how far the flexible extends.
That is proper scary Paul! 
Presumably your rubber fuel hose has degraded thanks to bio-ethanol in the petrol. You need to check all your fuel system lines from the tank to the injectors for signs of porosity or degradation.
Kitchski on here has had to recall all the vehicles on which he had replaced fuel lines at his respected specialist workshop, Southways, because of incorrectly idented fuel hose, supplied to him. He acted promptly and gained a lot of respect from all of us by his actions.
Glad you weren't subjected to the Guy Fawkes Experience!
There ought to be some recourse to enable owners of older cars to be able to purchase fuel without this awful stuff added to it.
How long before somebody is burnt alive or very seriously hurt?
And why don't fuel suppliers have to clearly indicate the bio-ethanol content on each fuel pump? I would like to know what percentage is contained in Shell V-Max super unleaded for instance. Nothing is displayed at the point of sale. Why not?
Presumably your rubber fuel hose has degraded thanks to bio-ethanol in the petrol. You need to check all your fuel system lines from the tank to the injectors for signs of porosity or degradation.
Kitchski on here has had to recall all the vehicles on which he had replaced fuel lines at his respected specialist workshop, Southways, because of incorrectly idented fuel hose, supplied to him. He acted promptly and gained a lot of respect from all of us by his actions.
Glad you weren't subjected to the Guy Fawkes Experience!
There ought to be some recourse to enable owners of older cars to be able to purchase fuel without this awful stuff added to it.
How long before somebody is burnt alive or very seriously hurt?
And why don't fuel suppliers have to clearly indicate the bio-ethanol content on each fuel pump? I would like to know what percentage is contained in Shell V-Max super unleaded for instance. Nothing is displayed at the point of sale. Why not?
The fuel line shown in the photo doesn't look original, so it is very possible that someone has replaced the original with a material which is not resistant to the higher ethanol levels present in modern petrol.
As mentioned above, you will need to check and replace the complete line from tank to pump to filter at the rear of the car and the long hose from the filter to the supply rail on top of the engine. Also consider changing the fuel return line from the regulator back to the tank.
The job itself should not be too difficult, but access to the fuel line where it runs along the chassis under the body could be a little restricted.
Good luck !
As mentioned above, you will need to check and replace the complete line from tank to pump to filter at the rear of the car and the long hose from the filter to the supply rail on top of the engine. Also consider changing the fuel return line from the regulator back to the tank.
The job itself should not be too difficult, but access to the fuel line where it runs along the chassis under the body could be a little restricted.
Good luck !
It's a frightening common problem and I think they need checking every couple of years. A few months ago one of the regulars here reported that some fuel line claimed to be unleaded friendly has turned out not to be suitable, so it's quite possible that even people who have replaced fuel lines recently and would expect to be safe might still run into the problem.
Pete, that was Kitchski ( Richard ) that alerted us to the problem.
If I recall correctly, the problem fuel hose became porous in a matter of months, so a two year check interval would not suffice.
Niiige had the same thing on this year's Eurotour with the main feed hose from fuel tank to pump. It had been renewed less than 18 months previously, but was dribbling fuel close to the exhaust.
A week ago it was reported that in Yorkshire, a TVR Wedge was destroyed in a roadside blaze, I suspect due to the same issue. Luckily no persons were harmed, but another classic car was lost.
Just be aware everyone, and investigate any fuel smells and regularly check for any drips under the car as well as under the bonnet.
If I recall correctly, the problem fuel hose became porous in a matter of months, so a two year check interval would not suffice.
Niiige had the same thing on this year's Eurotour with the main feed hose from fuel tank to pump. It had been renewed less than 18 months previously, but was dribbling fuel close to the exhaust.
A week ago it was reported that in Yorkshire, a TVR Wedge was destroyed in a roadside blaze, I suspect due to the same issue. Luckily no persons were harmed, but another classic car was lost.
Just be aware everyone, and investigate any fuel smells and regularly check for any drips under the car as well as under the bonnet.
glenrobbo said:
And why don't fuel suppliers have to clearly indicate the bio-ethanol content on each fuel pump? I would like to know what percentage is contained in Shell V-Max super unleaded for instance. Nothing is displayed at the point of sale. Why not?
It says BS EN 228:2012 on the pump, that's anything up to 5% ethanol. The only reason it's not 10% is that there are a huge number of cars in the UK with fuel systems that don't like being full of something so corrosive.You'll never get anything more specific out of them than the limits it's within :\
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