Prevention is Better than Failure

[PeteGriff]

Hi guys - its been a while since I posted, thought it useful to show what I have been up to over winter months (Jan to March), before MOT time and back on road beginning of April. By the way, Griff sailed through MOT again, very pleased. Have also been busy with Griff Dashboards!

Firstly, I treated myself to a car lift (Strongman Tools Clifton Lift) for the garage, must say it made all the work carried out, including an oil & filter change a doddle!

When I checked the car over last year I noticed the hose from the tank to pump was showing signs of cracking, also the pump looked very old and crusty, plus I had never changed the fuel filter. So the plan was when laid up over winter to change all hoses, pump, filter and electrical connectors. It had not caused any issues (yet), but these things have a habit of biting you when you least expect it!

So, I went for a nice Sytec Motorsport pump, lovely quality and sized in capacity for the requirements of the engine, Motorsport quality braided hoses (ethanol resistant) supplied by my local hose specialist, Sytec fuel filter, crimped connections where possible and quality stainless clips. I used heat shrink sleeving over the braided hose cut ends, this gave a nice neat finish when shrunk down, the banjo connection to the outlet meant a better route for the hose to filter, finally the removal and replacement of the crusty old spade connector for nice crimped and soldered ring terminals and rubber boots. I also used a large rubber grommet to seal the hose where the hose came out from the tank through the bodywork. I drilled a 13mm hole underneath (shown in pictures) which enabled me to undo the clip on the tank union and tighten the new clip, this I finished off with a nice tight fitting grommet, the use of grommets gave a better job that loads of black mastic!

Note also that I made an aluminium clamp for the new pump, this clamps against the chassis rail and allows movement of the pump.

The Griff fired up first time once primed and having done about 30 miles now all seems good. Will be having a nice run to Burghley on Sunday, so a few more mile to test it out!

A few pictures:

Old Hose from Tank


Old Hose to Filter


Old Pump


Old Filter


Hole Into Boot to Tank and New 13mm hole


New Pump


Crimped Hose


Banjo Outlet


New Filter


Old Connections


New Connections


New Installation


Use of Heatshrink on Braided Hoses


Grommets for Holes with Punched Hole for Hose


Tank to Pump Hose installed and nice seal with tight hole and heat shrink


Filter nicely installed


All the best, Pete

[davep]

That is quality!

[ruaricoles]

Nice job sir. Your old rubber hoses didn't look too good! Is the new pump any louder than the original?

[carsy]

Nice work Pete. Just the same as mine.

[Matthew Poxon]

That looks great Pete! What made you decide on the Sytec pump over the standard Bosch unit?

[PeteGriff]

Matthew Poxon said:

That looks great Pete! What made you decide on the Sytec pump over the standard Bosch unit?

Hi Matt, chose the Sytec unit because A) had good reports and Carsy has been using one for some time, B) really nicely made with a metal front and outlet using a banjo type connection (Bosch units appear to have plastic fronts and outlets now, C) units are Motorsport spec. It is quieter running also. Time will tell, but so far I am very pleased. Regards, Pete

[MPO]

Nice job Pete and not too soon by the looks of the fuel lines.. I replaced some fuel hoses last year but you inspire me to get on with the rest of the job.



MPO

[jesfirth]

nice job. please come and do the same to mine.

[PeteGriff]

Just a follow up - nice run to and from Burghley BHP, new installation faultless, that's a 200 mile test, so its good!

Note: Should anyone consider this setup I would be willing to make up an aluminium clamp kit for them, just like the one i have on mine!

Regards, Pete

[Matthew Poxon]

I think you should offer this as a drive in / drive out service Pete.

[PeteGriff]

Matthew Poxon said:

I think you should offer this as a drive in / drive out service Pete.

Mmmm - TVR Stuff Specialist Centre?

[Matthew Poxon]

What psi and flow rate did you go for Pete?

[PeteGriff]

Matthew Poxon said:

What psi and flow rate did you go for Pete?

Hi Matt, it is the OTP020 Sytec Motosort Pump with a normal running pressure of 5 bar and a maximum of 10 bar. As I said previously the hoses are specialist types (not standard braided) sourced from a company near me who actually crimped up the connections required, all suitable for the modern fuels with ethanol. Regards, Pete

[Moycie]

Good to see you and catch up at Burghley. Your Griff was looking immaculate. Nearly as nice as mine..

[PeteGriff]

Moycie said:

Good to see you and catch up at Burghley. Your Griff was looking immaculate. Nearly as nice as mine..

Good to see you also Moycie. Thanks for the comments re my Griff, yours was the inspiration for my interior retrim! I took loads of photos at the last Growl! All the best, Pete

[Matthew Poxon]

Regarding sad loss of the Cerebra, presumed to be fuel line related it might be worth others going down this route. New PTFE fuel lines with proper connections, also solves the potential issue of increased ethanol in the fuel with degrades the rubber hoses.

What did you do in the engine bay regarding hoses and connecting to the fuel rail in the end Pete?

[portzi]

Matthew Poxon said:

Regarding sad loss of the Cerebra, presumed to be fuel line related it might be worth others going down this route. New PTFE fuel lines with proper connections, also solves the potential issue of increased ethanol in the fuel with degrades the rubber hoses.

What did you do in the engine bay regarding hoses and connecting to the fuel rail in the end Pete?

Hi Matthew,

with the braided hose is there any way to tell if the ethanol has degraded the fuel hose from within the braiding, you would have to strip the braiding off fist to inspect the outer fuel hose?

[Matthew Poxon]

portzi said:

Hi Matthew,

with the braided hose is there any way to tell if the ethanol has degraded the fuel hose from within the braiding, you would have to strip the braiding off fist to inspect the outer fuel hose?

Hello Mark, I am not an expert on the matter but from what I understand, braided rubber is a bad idea as like you say you cannot inspect it for degradation. Plastic hoses such as PTFE are pretty much immune from the typical rubber perishing and or hardening due to the fuel, pressure, and heat. I would probably still change then every 10 years to be on the safe side however. I understand the braiding is to protect the hoses from damage.

[portzi]

Matthew Poxon said:

portzi said:

Hi Matthew,

with the braided hose is there any way to tell if the ethanol has degraded the fuel hose from within the braiding, you would have to strip the braiding off fist to inspect the outer fuel hose?

Hello Mark, I am not an expert on the matter but from what I understand, braided rubber is a bad idea as like you say you cannot inspect it for degradation. Plastic hoses such as PTFE are pretty much immune from the typical rubber perishing and or hardening due to the fuel, pressure, and heat. I would probably still change then every 10 years to be on the safe side however. I understand the braiding is to protect the hoses from damage.

Thanks for the explanation Matthew, so the PTFE coated hose is the best option. I too am no SME on this but is the coating just on the outside?

[Discopotatoes]

portzi said:

Matthew Poxon said:

portzi said:

Hi Matthew,

with the braided hose is there any way to tell if the ethanol has degraded the fuel hose from within the braiding, you would have to strip the braiding off fist to inspect the outer fuel hose?

Hello Mark, I am not an expert on the matter but from what I understand, braided rubber is a bad idea as like you say you cannot inspect it for degradation. Plastic hoses such as PTFE are pretty much immune from the typical rubber perishing and or hardening due to the fuel, pressure, and heat. I would probably still change then every 10 years to be on the safe side however. I understand the braiding is to protect the hoses from damage.

Thanks for the explanation Matthew, so the PTFE coated hose is the best option. I too am no SME on this but is the coating just on the outside?

The PTFE is a liner on the inside of the hose to stop fuel smell from leaching through the rubber, manly used when fuel hose goes inside the vehicle