Fuel lines

[creationblue]

Anyone changed their fuel lines recently, mine have been on for around 9 years but look in great shape, but I have a plastic filter under the tank I need to replace so thinking of doing it all. Trouble is I have a Huco pump, in-line metal filter, fuel cut-off valve, Tee-piece to supply both carbs then 2 x ICTs.

Im sure they are not all the same bore size and it ain't going to be an easy job laying on the drive..........

 

[K@rlos]

Anyone changed their fuel lines recently, mine have been on for around 9 years but look in great shape, but I have a plastic filter under the tank I need to replace so thinking of doing it all. Trouble is I have a Huco pump, in-line metal filter, fuel cut-off valve, Tee-piece to supply both carbs then 2 x ICTs.

Im sure they are not all the same bore size and it ain't going to be an easy job laying on the drive..........

Codan rubber hose or if you’re feeling flash Teflon pipe & anodised AN fittings be a couple hundred quid but they’ll out live you and the van

 

[Gabs]

I did my lines when I bought the bus but now the engine out I have replaced fuel tank hose that was 6mm I used with correct fuel hose clips.

 

[Clem]

I did mine a couple of years ago. I thought then, £45 ‘ish’ seems a lot for fuel hose after all those years getting that fabric covered stuff at shows for £1 a metre or whatever it was
Usually only two sizes you’ll need I reckon? Nice winter job on a dry day

 

[sparkywig]

Stock fuel line is actually 5.5mm, 6mm just doesn’t clamp fully onto the tank or carb barbs.
Like Karlos, I’ve totally replaced all mine with AN-6 ptfe/teflon fuel hose and fittings.

 

[creationblue]

Thanks for the input, I would love to fit some solid lines in the engine bay and make the whole job look neater but not sure I have the tools, skill or patients in all honesty!
I think I must have used 6mm last time to connect to the carbs because they always leak unless I use a sealant with the clips. Not fun when the fuel starts to steam off as the exhaust warms up I can tell you

 

[W1K1]

Use good hose like Gates Barricade that is rated SAE J30R14T2 for modern fuels. I have some that’s been in use for 8 years that is still like new inside. I pulled a section off last year to check it, and split it open. The braided German stuff only lasted 2 years before cracking and leaking on the wife’s beetle

 

[Gabs]

Stock fuel line is actually 5.5mm, 6mm just doesn’t clamp fully onto the tank or carb barbs.
Like Karlos, I’ve totally replaced all mine with AN-6 ptfe/teflon fuel hose and fittings.

I take a look and re-order some. You’re right on slightly oversized.

 

[Clem]

I got mine here

https://www.carbuilder.com/collections/fuel-system/fuel-hose

Guess I used 6mm and 8mm, but it doesn't leak at all.

 

[Gabs]

Stock fuel line is actually 5.5mm, 6mm just doesn’t clamp fully onto the tank or carb barbs.
Like Karlos, I’ve totally replaced all mine with AN-6 ptfe/teflon fuel hose and fittings.

@ Sparkywig, what size hose clamps do you add to your fuel lines.

 

[Graham L]

We use Cohline Ethanol resistant fuel lines from Advanced Fluid Solutions and they do it in 5.5mm and 7.6mm which is perfect for most applications, they do the correct fuel line clamps to go with it as well, I'm sure you know but don't use jubilee clips as they flatten the pipe

 

[sparkywig]

@ Sparkywig, what size hose clamps do you add to your fuel lines.

I used clips like these, you'll need to measure the od of your fuel line.

 

[Mr Beckstar]

I second the Cohline product. Here’s some good information as to why it can be trusted. Cohline 2240 Fuel Line Info.

In short, it uses Viton (flourinated rubber) in the bore which is fully resistant to ethanol and other modern fuel additives. It’s really well over-engineered for a kombi as it’s suitable for high pressure fuel injection applications too. Further, Cohline catalogues show the correct VW part number for my 76 Kombi (per the VW microfiche) with the correct 5.5mm inside diameter. I haven’t got around to changing my 71 yet.

 

[ozziedog]

I second the Cohline product. Here’s some good information as to why it can be trusted. Cohline 2240 Fuel Line Info.

In short, it uses Viton (flourinated rubber) in the bore which is fully resistant to ethanol and other modern fuel additives. It’s really well over-engineered for a kombi as it’s suitable for high pressure fuel injection applications too. Further, Cohline catalogues show the correct VW part number for my 76 Kombi (per the VW microfiche) with the correct 5.5mm inside diameter. I haven’t got around to changing my 71 yet.

How is it that I hear Viton mentioned quite a bit lately ? Mainly to do with stuff involved with fuel. Like Viton tipped needle valves for carbs etc. Is this something that needed to be introduced since the butchering of our ordinary petrol? I hadn’t even heard of it until I had some very naughty I T C shenanigans . And thanks for the run down on the Cohline too

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,I’d best go and have a look

 

[ozziedog]

How is it that I hear Viton mentioned quite a bit lately ? Mainly to do with stuff involved with fuel. Like Viton tipped needle valves for carbs etc. Is this something that needed to be introduced since the butchering of our ordinary petrol? I hadn’t even heard of it until I had some very naughty I T C shenanigans . And thanks for the run down on the Cohline too

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,I’d best go and have a look

So the nuts and bolts of it is. Fuel line with Viton is up to and including 100% ethanol resistant and is available stainless over braided too because of the flouro ingredient in the mix. Great for modern petrol and modern diesel which is also mixed and diluted with rapeseed’s oil but costs a bit but not up to replacing every year with other stuff. The only downside to it apart from cost, is it dosent tolerate solvents at all including paint, so be aware ! These guys above ^^^^ have it available in 5.5 and 7.5 too which should just about be perfect. I reckon I’ll get some pipe from them and order a bunch of fuel pipe clips and maybe some pipe fixing too.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,Amy other thing to codgitate over ?

 

[67panel]

Yes your fuel filler hose!!!!

 

[JLT]

Here in California we got a lot of ethanol in our fuel mix, and I buy my fuel line from a local garage with a great reputation.
But I'm really old-school at heart. Regardless of the maker of the hose, I change my fuel lines every five years whether they need it or not. I've seen too many burnt buses in my time. (And everybody knows that the fuel line should be safety-wired to the carb, right?)

 

[hobbo]

Hi was the last job I did before I passed my van on to my daughter and son in law. jacked up the van and put it on ramps, prefer to keep the wheels on something solid. Used gates fuel hose and the proper clips, never use jubilee. Still miss my van very much, but realised it was getting a struggle even to lifting a wheel to get it back on.

 

[ozziedog]

Hi was the last job I did before I passed my van on to my daughter and son in law. jacked up the van and put it on ramps, prefer to keep the wheels on something solid. Used gates fuel hose and the proper clips, never use jubilee. Still miss my van very much, but realised it was getting a struggle even to lifting a wheel to get it back on.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,are you a bit like a mother hen when you see it ?