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Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:52 pm

Looking to replace the fuel lines on my 71 westy. Should I order a kit or just buy the line by the foot? This will be my first time dong this so any info would be great. Thanks.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:55 pm

order the kit from Scott at German Supply. He will send you what you need for your year and model. It is best to call him although he will still be celebrating their Hockey win tonight for months.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:22 am

I certainly don't see any reason to buy a kit for a carburated motor. Quality fuel line is a must though as the normal stuff at your FLAPS may or may not last well. The flouroelastomer lined fuel injection hose should last a decade and can handle modern fuel additives, while either AN fuel line or marine fuel line will give you a little bit of fire resistance.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:37 am

Wildthings wrote: I certainly don't see any reason to buy a kit for a carburated motor. Quality fuel line is a must though as the normal stuff at your FLAPS may or may not last well. The flouroelastomer lined fuel injection hose should last a decade and can handle modern fuel additives, while either AN fuel line or marine fuel line will give you a little bit of fire resistance.
For a first-timer, the German Supply kits are hard to beat since they contain everything you need to do the job including the fuel line (all pieces are pre-cut to the correct length), clamps and a diagram/instruction sheet.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:25 am

I just replaced all my fuel lines the yesterday I ordered 6 feet of fuel line from Wolfsburg West and 2 handfuls of small clamps at my local hardware store. It's quite simple to do just take off the line thats already on there and cut an equal length of new line and install. I think I replaced all of mine in about 30 min. I paid $31 for 6 feet of fuel line, around 10 hose clamps and a metal fuel line elbow. IMHO I would rather pay $31 and cut my own fuel line than pay $55.00 just to have them precut. :?

Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:03 pm

our upright engine kit includes a bent steel fuel line, this is where most of the price difference comes from. it also contains the late style plastic clip which is genuine VW and adds about 6 bucks, a fuel filter and a genuine VW grommet for where the steel line passes through the front tin. i don't wish to get into any sort of argument over which is better - buy a pre-made kit or roll your own - only explain why there is a difference in cost. the cutting of the fuel lines has zero cost component in our kits, in other words you do not pay extra for us to cut the hose to length, it is other components of the kit that make up the cost difference.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:14 pm

i used scott's kit on my 71 and couldn't be happier. he even "customized" it for me with late style FI (internal braid) hose & clamps for a nominal fee.

i was a little surprised that the lines were pre-cut but then saw it came w/ a foot and a half of extra line. worked out well.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:03 pm

germansupplyscott wrote: our upright engine kit includes a bent steel fuel line, this is where most of the price difference comes from. it also contains the late style plastic clip which is genuine VW and adds about 6 bucks, a fuel filter and a genuine VW grommet for where the steel line passes through the front tin. i don't wish to get into any sort of argument over which is better - buy a pre-made kit or roll your own - only explain why there is a difference in cost. the cutting of the fuel lines has zero cost component in our kits, in other words you do not pay extra for us to cut the hose to length, it is other components of the kit that make up the cost difference.

The bent steel fuel line was included in the total of $31 and I if buy a good quality fuel filter and grommet that adds $5.20. $5.20 + $31= $36.20. You got me on the Genuine VW clips tho :oops: I cant find them anywhere. I'm not trying to put down your business or start a conflict. Im just stating my opinion. And in the end with all shipping and tax included i think buying a kit and DIY are close to the same cost. :lol: And i would be willing to pay the extra "x" dollars to support a good business such as yours :)

Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:16 pm

CvdH wrote: I'm not trying to put down your business or start a conflict.

no conflict or put-down taken.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:31 pm

I would like to make an argument for using a kit. Most of these vehicle have been worked on by dozens of people over the years. Many of these people probably didn't have a clue how to do something like replacing the fuel lines and gobbed the job badly. People who come along later just copy what was already there perpetuating any potential problems. By going with a well made kit, with luck the results should be close to the original design intent.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:53 pm

Wildthings wrote: I would like to make an argument for using a kit. Most of these vehicle have been worked on by dozens of people over the years. Many of these people probably didn't have a clue how to do something like replacing the fuel lines and gobbed the job badly. People who come along later just copy what was already there perpetuating any potential problems. By going with a well made kit, with luck the results should be close to the original design intent.

Good point.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:08 pm

Wildthings wrote: I would like to make an argument for using a kit. Most of these vehicle have been worked on by dozens of people over the years. Many of these people probably didn't have a clue how to do something like replacing the fuel lines and gobbed the job badly. People who come along later just copy what was already there perpetuating any potential problems. By going with a well made kit, with luck the results should be close to the original design intent.

Exactly the reason I bought the fuel line kit from German Supply.

Sun May 16, 2010 6:32 pm

i just purchased the kit from german supply. its my first time ever doing this replacement and i figured you cant go wrong with a kit made by people who have been doing this for awhile. im just wondering, how long do you think it will take me and how hard is it to replace these? ive assumed it cant be too hard or time consuming, but as stated before, ive never done this before. i have a 78 westy if that helps

Sun May 16, 2010 6:44 pm

Scott has taken considerable time to get the right pieces. There was a thread here this year where someone in good faith went to their local auto parts store and bought hose. Well, it wasn't rated to a high enough pressure and when it burst it started a fire in the engine bay. Ruined the gentleman's vacation and his opinion of VW buses. I normally don't promote one business over another because most of the bus parts vendors really do a good job for all of us but Scott's fuel line kits are the only way to go. If you want, buy some extra hose from Scott too if you may need more later.

And if you don't know when the fuel line/hose in your bus was replaced, you shouldn't be driving it.

Mon May 17, 2010 8:02 am

Lucas,

I made my own last time, but used almost everything that comes with the kit to do so. It was relatively simple to install, but it took me a couple hours to perform with the engine on the bench. It would have taken longer with the engine in the bus.

You have to remove the lines from the tank, and drain any fule that is in there. Clean up any of the fittings that have been crudded up. Getting the new hose onto the barbed fuel injectors took me a bit of time. Also, getting the last couple hoses in place to the cold start valve area was tricky for me.

I think next time, I will probably get the kit as the combination of convenience (having ALL the parts you need) and quality (no guessing if I bought the right stuff) is worth the money involved.

Mon May 17, 2010 11:27 am

This is getting a lot of people confused. If it isn't it probably should. The OP was talking about fuel lines on an upright T-1 engined early bus. It has nothing to do with F.I. or high pressure or late bays. totally different systems and needs. Maybe the biggest or only issues with the T-1 that prior owners might/probably have changed around and messed up would be the steel line going thru the front tin then around the fan shroud and then also the filter location. Scott's kit has that important pre-bent steel line. Although it is also a common standard bug part and available many other places. The thing about Scotts kit is that it would all be top quality with the very important grommet for the steel line thru the front tin. Once the steel line is installed it's just a short simple run of hose to the fuel pump. Routing from the tank to the inlet of the steel line on a '71 is straight forward as there are 2 clips under the tank to sopport the hose. And whichever filter Scott supplies goes in that line. There is another important topic that should be taken care of if you havn't done it before. That's pulling down the tank outlet and cleaning or replacing the screen filter inside the tank. If it's clean (mine was) then it probably won't need to be a concern in the future. But if it has a lot of crud on it and you clean or replace it don't forget that it might be a real concern in the future if it clogs up. And that filter is only used in tanks in early bays. Again, early bay and late bay fuel line systems are totally different. :wink:
When you renew the fuel lines on an upright T-1 also deal with the brass inlet hose connection on the Solex carb. Safety wire it. Refer to the "Fire" sticky. Those fittings can pull out or blow out (did on my bug) and all your wonderful new fuel line won't keep the bus from burning up.