Narrow escape.
Discussion
swapped over my exhausts and went to start the car. Heard an extra click from the fuel pump a second or two after it had primed. Thought "hmmm that's odd" listened closely and heard a faint psssttt. Knocked off ignition and started looking around the fuel hoses and injectors. Noticed the coil packs were covered in a liquid. Put ignition on and a perfect stream of fuel sprayed from the fuel hose against the top of one of the heads and over to one of the manifolds.
Moral of the story. Regular bloody inspection of fuel hoses!
Btw does anyone know the ID of the fuel hose that runs from the hard lines at the bulkhead, through the valley to the fuel cooler.please tell me that the connection at the bulk head isn't crimped.
Moral of the story. Regular bloody inspection of fuel hoses!
Btw does anyone know the ID of the fuel hose that runs from the hard lines at the bulkhead, through the valley to the fuel cooler.please tell me that the connection at the bulk head isn't crimped.
Sorry Chim owner so can't answer your question but that's a timely reminder to all of us at this time of year to take a close look at the fuel lines around the bulk head.
I do sometimes wonder how many cars are so close to fire before fuel lines are replaced, I've had my car 4 years and fuel lines changed twice, because they had cracks so needed it!
I do sometimes wonder how many cars are so close to fire before fuel lines are replaced, I've had my car 4 years and fuel lines changed twice, because they had cracks so needed it!
No it's not crimped, it looks like it on inspection. 8mm Id should be ok for attaching to the bulkhead hard line with a jubilee type clamp, but the fuel cooler is slightly bigger 10mm iirc, may mean warming the hose up or a step up as I recall, top tip attach new pipe to old to draw it up through the V.
Check other feed pipe from the cooler to the fuel rail. Jack up the rear of the car and n/s near the diff you will find the fuel pump. Inspect in detail these pipes, especially the one from the rear tank to the pump you may need a mirror to look at the top of the hose.
Check other feed pipe from the cooler to the fuel rail. Jack up the rear of the car and n/s near the diff you will find the fuel pump. Inspect in detail these pipes, especially the one from the rear tank to the pump you may need a mirror to look at the top of the hose.
Cheers for the info.
I was quite disheartened late last night when I found the leak. Thought it would mean I couldn't take the car with me this weekend. I'll do a trip to ECP today and another late night tonight and we should be sorted.
On a side note, I wrapped these fuel hoses in heat reflective tape a couple of years ago. I'm leaning towards not doing this again as it will hinder regular inspection.
I was quite disheartened late last night when I found the leak. Thought it would mean I couldn't take the car with me this weekend. I'll do a trip to ECP today and another late night tonight and we should be sorted.
On a side note, I wrapped these fuel hoses in heat reflective tape a couple of years ago. I'm leaning towards not doing this again as it will hinder regular inspection.
Buy the dearest fuel hose you can from the most reputable supplier. Perhaps a supplier of industrial hydraulic hoses (eg Pirtek) or a competition car outlet (eg Demon Tweeks). I would avoid a motor factor who specialises in 'cheap' or 'value' lines.
Neither of these criteria will guarantee getting 'good' hose but there are an awful lot of cheap 'rubber' products on the market at the moment; it perishes and cracks as soon as it sniffs fresh air/sees daylight!
In addition to hose, I have recently seen CV, ball joint and rack gaiters and tyre valve stems do this within a year from new/fitting. The worst stuff seems to have a very strong 'rubber' smell... I know that sounds obvious... but these things shouldn't actually be made of rubber.
As I mentioned elsewhere previously, a TVR specialist local to me has effectively issued a recall notice to all its customers because of a 'bad batch' of fuel pipe that they were supplied with and subsequently fitted.
CAVEAT EMPTOR!
Neither of these criteria will guarantee getting 'good' hose but there are an awful lot of cheap 'rubber' products on the market at the moment; it perishes and cracks as soon as it sniffs fresh air/sees daylight!
In addition to hose, I have recently seen CV, ball joint and rack gaiters and tyre valve stems do this within a year from new/fitting. The worst stuff seems to have a very strong 'rubber' smell... I know that sounds obvious... but these things shouldn't actually be made of rubber.
As I mentioned elsewhere previously, a TVR specialist local to me has effectively issued a recall notice to all its customers because of a 'bad batch' of fuel pipe that they were supplied with and subsequently fitted.
CAVEAT EMPTOR!
Byker28i said:
Unfortuanely a known problem that appeared about 3 or so years ago. Fuel pipes cracking, there were a couple of fires, when everyone started checking/replacing theres.
When I had my body off chassis refurb, I had all the lines renewed to modern standards
Had exactly the same issue as the OP with my 1998 4.5 (and this was 5+ years ago) noticed by the new (trade) buyer when he took it in for service prior to putting it up for sale. I'd not picked it up and neither did he on the pre-sale inspection. As said above, salutary lesson. Regularly check, aim to replace every couple of years maybe?When I had my body off chassis refurb, I had all the lines renewed to modern standards
_Neal_ said:
Byker28i said:
Unfortuanely a known problem that appeared about 3 or so years ago. Fuel pipes cracking, there were a couple of fires, when everyone started checking/replacing theres.
When I had my body off chassis refurb, I had all the lines renewed to modern standards
Had exactly the same issue as the OP with my 1998 4.5 (and this was 5+ years ago) noticed by the new (trade) buyer when he took it in for service prior to putting it up for sale. I'd not picked it up and neither did he on the pre-sale inspection. As said above, salutary lesson. Regularly check, aim to replace every couple of years maybe?When I had my body off chassis refurb, I had all the lines renewed to modern standards
MackemPete said:
That's why I'm not going to heat shield mine. I want to be able to keep an eye on it. I'm not sure whether to go braided for the same reason. Can't see the rubber through the braid.
I understand what you're saying, but I really think some sort of heat sheild is essential, they are simply too close to the manifold not to.
Having just ran the replacement hose to the bulkhead fitting I reached exactly the same conclusion. That manifold is bloody close!
Sacked it off for now. Going to buy some decent hose some sort of heat shielding.
Looks like I'm taking the fabia on my driving weekend
Sacked it off for now. Going to buy some decent hose some sort of heat shielding.
Looks like I'm taking the fabia on my driving weekend
Edited by MackemPete on Wednesday 27th July 23:27
Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff