Replacing a Fuel Hose - DIY Job?

[Knowler]

Afternoon gents... car passed MOT with an advisory that the fuel hose was frayed... Not massively bothered as its got about another 3 layers before it becomes an issue ;-) However before i pop it to my local expert i wondered if this is something thats a bit of a DIY Mechanic job and if so how to go about it and where do i buy the hose...

All DIYers and experts out there welcome to respond..

Knowler

[Knowler]

Oh and forgot to add its the rear one apparently???

[phillpot]

The large bore one (5/8") from tank to filter ?


lots of petrol will pour out unless tank is empty!

[Knowler]

phillpot said:

The large bore one (5/8") from tank to filter ?


lots of petrol will pour out unless tank is empty!

Hi Miek,

Yes that's the one i think they are talking about... best run it near to empty then ;-) Anything else tricky other than that??

[Griffinr]

I think its 5/8 hydraulic hose which is not going to be very flexible and probably a bh to fit.
Rob.

[Knowler]

Griffinr said:

I think its 5/8 hydraulic hose which is not going to be very flexible and probably a bh to fit.
Rob.

Lovely!! Then it may be a job for my mechanic friend then ;-)

[dryden]

Yes, my S1 has an hydraulic pipe tank to pump, and yes, you will have to emty the tank, and YES, it is a bugger to get on the tank end, as the pipe is steel reinforced and does not like bending so tight right where your hand will not fit !! but I did mine in the drive, with just a few quid in the swear box!

[phillpot]

I used this pipe


It is not mega wire reinforced as some recommend but is easy to cut and fit. looking at the date on my invoice I fitted this over 3 years ago, had no problems and there's a gallon or two gone through that pipe since then

[glenrobbo]

phillpot said:

I used this pipe


It is not mega wire reinforced as some recommend but is easy to cut and fit. looking at the date on my invoice I fitted this over 3 years ago, had no problems and there's a gallon or two gone through that pipe since then

Wow, that's about 3000 mpg or so then Mike, give or take a few months.
Tell us your secret, I know it's not a gentle right foot, must be down to a good accountant! I'm desperate to know your secret, because on my income, i've always got too many miles left over at the end of the month. Or no more petrol.
I've checked for fuel leaks, but can't find any, it just seems to go into the engine & come out as noise. What am I doing wrong?

[GreenV8S]

On the V8S that hose between the tank and pump is twisted round in a tight curve and runs very close to the tail pipes (so it's difficult to ease the curve). When I replaced mine a couple of years ago it was obvious it had suffered from heat damage even though it was wrapped with several layers of insulation. I replaced it with a 15mm copper pipe which forms a much smoother curve without kinking and keeps it well away from the exhaust. This also avoids that piece of hose dipping down towards the road, which the original was prone to do.

[greymrj]

Mike is right, that is the correct type of hose. Best to order it as you may well fnd it difficult to get proper fuel hose that bore locally. Most other pipe available (you will still need joins if you do try to go for copper) isnt suitable for unleaded. You will need a good few cable ties to keep it away from danger! And get two new stainless pipe clips with heads that you can tighten with a socket! It really isnt at all difficult though if you have an almost empty tank. I wouldnt run the tank too low, you risk getting c**p into the pump. Sacrifice a gallon of fuel and while doing so you can also see if there is muck or rust in that last gallon.

[Sandgrounder]

I have often wondered if it is a myth regarding debris at the bottom of a fuel tank. The reason I say this is because I recently ran out of fuel in my S3, approx 10 metres from a fuel pump. Once the tank was filled, and engine turned over for a few seconds, runs exactly the same as before. My fuel tank looks original, so probably 22 years old approx.
Sorry if I've gone off on a tangent!

[greymrj]

Lucky beggar Graham, want to swap fuel tanks? Plenty of posts on muck and rust in fuel lines.

[phillpot]

When my tank came off a little while ago I was quite surprised that even the last few dregs I tipped out were spotless!


Never really understood the "sucking up muck" theory coz the pump is always pulling from the very bottom of the tank?

But it does seem to happen to a fair few people

[glenrobbo]

Perhaps it's when cars are left stood standing for months on end that rust & crud start to accumulate in the tank due to condensation etc. Best to keep on driving whenever favourable conditions prevail.
Just try to avoid the salty stuff.