TheSamba.com :: View topic - greasy/oily fuel lines in engine compartment

Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:00 am

I just replaced all the fuel lines with the "high quality German stuff" from goWesty, now about a month later I noticed on the 3 lines between fuel pump and injector rails there is a grease (which kind of looks like motor oil but smells like gas) under the heat shields that has me worried. it only makes sense that gas could be seeping from the metal T but it doesn't seem to be. The new lines seem more flexible and stretchy than a month ago when I installed them. I can clean them off but the seepage seems to be coming from under the heat sheath. I will start the van, let it idle for a min or 2, stop it, and there will be a small amount (or sometimes a large amount) of this grease seeping from under the sheaths on all 3 lines. The lines are sitting directly on the engine as they were before I replaced them. The lines going back to the fuel tank sitting on top also have the heat sheath but are not greasy, so it seems it has to do with the heat : (

anyone had this before? I noticed after a long road trip, so it's likely been doing it for a couple weeks. i tried to light the grease and it wouldn't light, so that's good at least...

Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:12 am

I prefer Goodyear hose over stuff GW sells...so do a few rebuilders.

Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:14 am

Personally, I would contact GW directly with pictures of the product you purchased from them not holding up :!:

Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:16 am

jwallis wrote: but smells like gas
I would not drive it until you resolve this.

Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:22 am

Glenn wrote: jwallis wrote: but smells like gas
I would not drive it until you resolve this.

X2

:shock: and don't try to light it again or you may be very disturbed at the outcome. :shock:

Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:11 am

I noticed the same thing when I replaced my lines last year, the 'goo' was on the old lines. I thought I had averted a disaster, but then after reading mucho posts on the subject, it seems to be a natural thing when using the shields. Lots of reputable people - like Ben - do not reinstall the shields - apparently they are for abrasion, not heat, and have no issues.

I did not replace mine, and just check the lines for abrasion when checking the engine bay area - none detected... guess its a personal choice. Maybe the shields make the lines 'sweat' when the engine is at running temp as the fuel is cool, and the engine hot. My fuel lines are nice and dry without the shields.

Sat Apr 21, 2012 11:17 am

I used the same GW kit 3 years ago & followed Ben's advice - left off the sleeves.

No goo...no smell...no leaks...no probs.

Sat Apr 21, 2012 11:24 am

dhaavers wrote: I used the same GW kit 3 years ago & followed Ben's advice - left off the sleeves.

No goo...no smell...no leaks...no probs.

x2, FWIW

Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:54 pm

insyncro wrote: :shock: and don't try to light it again or you may be very disturbed at the outcome. :shock:

Ha, well i didn't try to light it IN the van : ), I had some on my finger and tried to light it in a controlled manner far from the van.

I took it to Austin Veedub to look at along with another couple things, so maybe I'll just tell him to ignore it.

So you guys who took the shields off, are the lines just sitting on top of the engine block (as I assume is normal) or did you put on any heater hose to protect them or try to suspend them above the block or maybe route them so they're not sitting directly on it...?

Thanks everyone-

Mon Apr 23, 2012 2:00 pm

The fuel lines sold by the major vendors are not compatible with the current formulations of American gasoline.
Buy the expensive SAE 30r9 hose. It's only available in US sizes, but the fit is fine.
I wasted $50 on this learning experience too.

Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:54 pm

just routed them the same way, ensured nothing was real tight to prevent chafing. I check them on a regular basis - like everything else back in the engine compartment - and no issues. Yes, they rest on the block like the old lines did.

In Eastern Canada, we don't have any ethylene in our gas, so no problems with lines getting hard or deteriorating from that 'mixed' gas. :D

Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:07 pm

I have never had problems running the 30R9 hose in a sleeve, but I used sleeve stock sold by NAPA verses staying with the original ones. I don't think I would want to run gas hose that would ooze if run through a sleeve. Reeks of low quality to me.

Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:17 am

One note I failed to mention about the GW kit with the Cohline hose was that it was REALLY tough to get the sleeves on. Instead of using any petroleum based lube to get them on, I just spit on the hoses a few times and slid the sleeves over with great patience.

My mechanic said he thought a good idea would be to try running the springy kind of stuff (with the long slit down the side) you usually run elec wires through instead of the sleeves. Would allow for protection and easy inspection. I think I'm going to go this way and if they keep oozing, replace them. Here's a 1-post thread by Leebo who asked GW about the Cohline hose and 30R9 spec. I just looked at Cohline.com and from what I could tell it contains zero information.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5889185

Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:25 am

jwallis wrote: I just looked at Cohline.com and from what I could tell it contains zero information.

That is about the most useless website I have seen. Hope its just something temporary while something better in under construction.

Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:29 am

Wildthings wrote: jwallis wrote: I just looked at Cohline.com and from what I could tell it contains zero information.

That is about the most useless website I have seen. Hope its just something temporary while something better in under construction.

yeah, what's funny is they have it in both German and English : )

Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:31 pm

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/671288-sae30r6-kx-fuel-line.html

Wed May 02, 2012 7:05 pm

The sleeves are on there to protect the gas lines and to prevent a engine fire.... When I got my '90 GL and got around to replacing my lines, I found that the hot wire to the power steering switch had fallen off and shorted to ground and melted and burnt through the rubber on the wire, and the sleeve before burning the wire into...
Those sleeves saved it from an engine compartment fire...
It would take a lot of fixing to fix the results of a fire in the engine compartment..
Just food for thought...

Sun May 06, 2012 3:18 pm

OK... Planning a little trip and was checking out levels and around my engine compartment today and noticed that my fuel lines are seeping like those described in earlier posts..

I am pissed...
I pulled my invoice from GW for the $78.81 Fuel Line Replacement Kit dated March 19, 2012... about a month old...

Are they selling us defective fuel lines or what?
Should I expect a refund, or replacement with correct lines?

Sun May 06, 2012 4:52 pm

If nobody complains and gives them negative feed back, they will just keep selling the same stuff.

Sun May 06, 2012 4:56 pm

[quote="Wildthings"]If nobody complains and gives them negative feed back, they will just keep selling the same stuff.[/quote]
Just emailed the following and will post their reply...
Hello,
I am writing in regards to Order #102694
GVW-FUELLINE-2WD: Fuel Line Replacement Kit [Vanagon] (Model: 2WD)
I bought these lines as I have always thought you guys were only going to give me the best possible parts and service ... I am not happy at all with these fuel lines...

I am getting ready for a crosscountry trip in my '90 Vanagon and was checking the fluid levels and around in the engine compartment and found that the fuel lines I just replaced just over a month ago are seeping gas.... and seem very soft...
I only replaced or used the 4 lines to the injectors and were planning on taking the rest with me for spares...
I would like to send all of them back to you for a full refund of the invoice....
Please let me know what you intend to do in this matter...
Thanks,
Bob