Fuel corrupting fuel lines

WASP · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 05:40 AM

Last weekend I pulled out my fuel tanks from the Cobra. I have one each side in the wheels arches. They are connected by a 3/4 Aeroquip rubber type fuel line. Supposed to be the best grade available. My boot had a nice odour of petrol, good for those sniffer people and I was a liitle concerned.

Around where the fittings screwed into the tanks there was some moist dust courtesty of Doug Pearce ( the dust of course). When I pulled off the rubber crossover I noticed that the hose was soft in places and had deteriorated on the cut ends.

A quick trip to Pirtek and the discussion which followed was what type of fuel I used. I said the good old Optimax and the discussion was that the petrol had caused the hose to deteriorate. It was breaking down from the inside. I then got told of a number of cases that the staff had attended to where it was obvious that diaphrams in Carbies, fuel lines etc are getting grief from Optimax. Three of the guys behind the counter all said they had changed fuels.

Anybody out there had similiar problems, Open for discusssion

Richard

trularin · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 06:58 AM

There is nothing like SS for fuel lines.

webebob · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 06:59 AM

Only problem I've had is from a station that had alcohol in the fuel and didn't note it on the pumps. I lost every rubber piece in the fuel system in about a years time.

Cobra.au · #4 (**permalink**) 07-16-2005, 06:51 AM

I am redoing my fuel lines at the moment and the best hose to use is the teflon inner / stainless braid from earls or speed flow etc.

Craig W

pneall · #5 (**permalink**) 07-27-2005, 11:51 PM

I was just over at Earls and asked about why my braided fuel lines had lost flexibility. Answer was if you are using PULP then this will happen as the additive used to up the Octane is not compatable with the liner. Next thing is they will leak.

Apparently this is in the smalll print in the catalogue but not displayed any where in the shop. I suppose its a buyer beware situation but after spending over a $1k on neat looking fittings and braided line that are now totally useless I am not a happy bunny and mightily peeded off with Earls.

Earls suggested the teflon lined but added the disclaimer they wouldn't guarantee them in a EFI situation. Seems odd as this is similar to brake fittings which run higher presure.

So its back to the drawing board

Phil

Cobra.au · #6 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 05:39 AM

If you have a look in the earls catalog it has there disclamer in fine print on the page of every type of hose they sell.
I use the teflon lined braid on a lot of differant applications from hot oil (120 degres+) , fuel, air and numerous chemicals with my company and never had a problem.
I think they put the fine print in to cover there buts.
Craig W