Fuel Pipe Deterioration...

[jimme1971]

Just a quick one people...

Seen a couple of articles recently in magazines about needing to change over to modern fuel pipes as modern petrol apparently eats the rubber in traditional cotton braided fuel pipe...

I was at my specialists, Mid-Norfolk Car Company, on Tuesday (waiting on the arrival of some parts for my beetle resto) just chewing the fat on matters VW when the importance of this issue was brought into focus rather abruptly. Paul Johnson the owner was working on a Late Bay making some adjustments with the Bus up on his lift during which he must have somehow snagged the fuel pipe. A small leak developed immediately necessitating a more thorough investigation of the condition of the pipe. The result was rather sickening. The van had been fitted with new 'Gates' fuel pipes within the last 3/4 years by Paul and on examining the pipe it was found to be perishing badly along its whole length not just at the traditional wear points at the joints. The cotton braiding was intact so now sign of this internal degradation was apparent on visual inspection.

Now, we all read scare stories in the media all the time but there was an honest moment of shock there for everyone...and we are talking about guys that have years of experience behind them and would not ever knowingly take a risk with a customers pride and joy. Now i'm no expert, and i don't know whether its the new fuel or poor quality materials being used in making the old style fuel pipes these days thats to blame but i'm hearing too many stories of buses being lost to fires to let it go without passing it on to people on this forum.

One thing is for certain i will be replacing all my fuel pipes as soon as possible!

Stay safe out there.

 

[aogrady]

Hi!

This has been know for a long while, the cotton braided pipe is awful, There is a certain spec of fuel line, think it's SAE J9, might be J10 which is correct, there are many threads on here about it.

The cotton braided stuff might look OG, but you cant see it crack and deteriorate. I suspect that wasn't the correct pipe fitted, if it was the correct rated hose, it would have lasted. You dont replace your fuel lines on your modern cars this often do you?

Worthwhile getting it out there again, as too many buses have gone up in recent times.

Alistair

 

[sparkywig]

While the old externally cotton braided fuel pipe was fine with old fuels, modern petrol has a 5% ethanol content which perishes rubber.
You need to fit a fuel pipe with a minimum R9 rating.

 

[68_early_bay]

While the old externally cotton braided fuel pipe was fine with old fuels, modern petrol has a 5% ethanol content which perishes rubber.
You need to fit a fuel pipe with a minimum R9 rating.

And it's going to be 10% soon

 

[Jimbly]

Just changed all of mine while the motor was out - Machine 7 is/was doing a bundle on R9 hose, clips and filter.

 

[Clem]

I think I read the 10% level was still a little way off, but anyway, as above, get the right graded lines like the bundle kit from M7 and its nothing to worry about once done correctly.

 

[Lordain Volley]

Thanks for the clarification on this especially the details about the Ethanol. I have just ordered the bundle from Machine 7. After seeing the Canadian bus that went up last week, it made me think :roll:

LV

 

[Buss69]

While the old externally cotton braided fuel pipe was fine with old fuels, modern petrol has a 5% ethanol content which perishes rubber.
You need to fit a fuel pipe with a minimum R9 rating.

Chuffing heck! I read this and then who wrote it. Far too sensible Wig, back to normal crazyness please. ;-)

 

[sparkywig]

While the old externally cotton braided fuel pipe was fine with old fuels, modern petrol has a 5% ethanol content which perishes rubber.
You need to fit a fuel pipe with a minimum R9 rating.

Chuffing heck! I read this and then who wrote it. Far too sensible Wig, back to normal crazyness please. ;-)

OK.

 

[jimme1971]

Looks like the way to go....agree far too many VWs getting burned out!

 

[Johnny69]

I have to agree the correct hose is essential.

I got some hose that was really expensive but was the correct material and had the right clips to attach it to the various outlets on the van.

I got the link off here somewhere so ill post it back up.

When I took my old fuel line off it was the braided type - it looked fine at first sight but when I bent it i was shocked to see that the rubber inside the braid was degraded and ready to fail at any point.

The best bit of advice to anyone is to check those fuel lines and change them for quality gear. It's not worth the risk and I wouldn't go near the cloth braid after what I saw.

Cheers

Johnny :|

 

[Johnny69]

Read this - this is the hose i bought after reading it.

http://www.volksbolts.com/faq/fuelhose.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Whistler]

I bought the kit that VW Aircooled Works are doing. Think they launched it at Busfest. Was around £30 I think, 100% Biofuel pipe, filter and fixings. Good for 25 years.

 

[HairyYeti]

The Volksbolts hose is made in Denmark by Codan Rubber- the best you can get.
Volksbolts hose clips are the Swedish stainless ABA clips - again, the best.

The machine7 stuff is unbranded generic hose so could be from anywhere. Same as the clips.
Very much thr budget version.
I was in there the other day checking it out.

 

[StuF]

Here is a link to the volksbolts fuel line kit from their eBay store

I will be ordering one even though my lines were new less than 2 years ago - better safe than sorry

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-6mm-ID-SAE-J30-R9-Fuel-Hose-VW-Volkswagen-Split-Screen-Bay-Van-Beetle-Reliant-/380723485361?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item58a4e35ab1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[marco]

my fuel hose is r9 rated and starting to crack already, only 18 months old :shock:
worth a regular check just to be on the safe side.