Fuel Filter, connector and pipe issue

[BREMBOV6]

Afternoon all

I recently serviced my 2007 petrol Saab 93. As always never straightforward.

I changed the fuel filter and upon removing the connector. The connector going towards the engine. Fell apart, it looked to have been bodged before.

Anyway I couldn't find another way to secure this as when it primed it came of with the pressure. I cut the connector including some of the pipe.

New connector ordered and I cannot for the life of me get this connector fitted onto the fuel line. I have tried hot water and a heat gun.

The line is still on the car as I cannot see how I remove the line without potentially causing further damage or needing to remove all the way to the engine. I have hopefully attached some pictures which may help. I'm also worried I may have damaged the line with the amount of forcing etc.

Last time I'm servicing a car, truly regret not just taking it to a professional.

Any help is appreciated.

[5s Alive]

Assuming that it's the correct diameter fitting then the most obvious explanation I can think of is that the 17yr old pipe from the engine has hardened with age and will need replaced. A new one should have sufficient elasticity to push on.

Not what you want to hear I'm sure, however if I'm wrong there are a few Saab fans here that will be able to point you in the right direction if this is a known problem.

[donkmeister]

I no longer have a 9-3 but I seem to remember they placed the fuel filter right where it would get lots of road grot, lovely.

To me it also looks like a case of hard old pipes that have lost their elasticity. If it were me I'd try a smear of vaseline on the tip of the connector to ease entry (it's a petrol line, so petroleum jelly is fine).

Failing that, find a different style of connector better suited to old hardened plastic pipes, chop it back a bit further and just have a short length of new pipe to incorporate the new connector.

If you do decide to replace the whole line, I used to find Neo Bros good for SAAB parts.

[Belle427]

Probably heat shrunk on originally if the size is correct.

[E-bmw]

Belle427 said:

Probably heat shrunk on originally if the size is correct.

^^^^ Wot e' said.

They are heat shrunk on.

Copying the assumption that you have bought the right size as it does look big.

You MAY manage it with a heat gun very carefully/slowly, but most likely you need a new pipe complete with fitting.

[BREMBOV6]

Thanks all. I never thought about old piping. That does make sense.

I have the old one and compared. I'm pretty sure they are the same, slightly different design at the end. I also checked that it clicked onto the filter. Which it did.

The issue remains getting the pipe onto the connector.

If a new fuel line is sourced does anyone know where it can be removed from. It runs from the filter at the back of the car then below the driver /passenger onto a metal pipe. Not a connector but again looks to have been heated on.

I'm not sure how I get this off without potentially causing a similar issue.

I have pictured the new and old one. New one has the brown seal.

Edited by BREMBOV6 on Sunday 3rd March 19:19

[donkmeister]

BREMBOV6 said:

Thanks all. I never thought about old piping. That does make sense.

I have the old one and compared. I'm pretty sure they are the same, slightly different design at the end. I also checked that it clicked onto the filter. Which it did.

The issue remains getting the pipe onto the connector.

If a new fuel line is sourced does anyone know where it can be removed from. It runs from the filter at the back of the car then below the driver /passenger onto a metal pipe. Not a connector but again looks to have been heated on.

When I'm in your situation I look for an online EPC and try to work it out from parts diagrams as well as using the part numbers to find used parts for sale and examining the photos. However, SAAB EPCs are seemingly non-existent on the web.

So, what I would recommend you do is contact Neo Brothers (or another SAAB specialist) with your VIN, and ask them for price and availability of the supply pipe from fuel filter forwards. They might not actually be able to supply that part anymore, however if you ask them nicely they may send you the part number and picture from the EPC. From that you can see if breakers have them, and also work out how it fits on to the metal pipe.

Another avenue you might want to consider is a SAAB specific forum - I bet you aren't the first to hit this issue.

You have my sympathies, this sounds like one of those "shouldn't be a big job" jobs that takes flipping ages! I had a couple of those with my "well surely it's just Vauxhall parts under the skin, isn't it, surely?!" 9-3.

[GreenV8S]

A technique I've used successfully in the past is to use a pair of needle nosed pliers pushed inside the line as a sort of expanding mandrel, gently heat the end of the line with a hot air gun until it melts into uselessness, and then replace the whole line. Perhaps a similar technique would work for you.

[poppopbangbang]

You want one of these - https://www.lasertools.co.uk/Product/6933/Pipe-Con... or similar knock of chinesium variant from ebay.

Heat the pipe to circa 65 degrees first, use petroleum jelly or similar fuel safe lube on the connector and make sure the o-ring is in good condition and isn't pinched on the way in.

If you don't want to buy the tool then you can absolutely gangster it with the pipe clamp from a brake flaring kit and a g-clamp.

Neither will be entirely easy under the car unfortunately.

[Belle427]

You could consider replacing the whole length with rubber if it was suitably rated and clipped well.
Probably 8mm internal diameter would fit on the filter, not sure about the other end though.