Fuel line replacement frequency?

[13thstreetgti]

Hello all - I tried to do a search on this topic but did not find any information other than members urging new Vanagon owners to replace the fuel lines ASAP.

How often should we change our fuel lines? I replaced mine three years ago with a Van Cafe kit and the lines still look good with no signs of deterioration. Does anyone have a recommend fuel line replacement interval?

[SCM]

I've heard of others replacing theirs every 4 years.

Myself, well, the original 20-year old lines looked just fine when I replaced them so I'm going with a replacement schedule more in the every-decade-or-two timeframe.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[danfromsyr]

inspect them annually
change them or portions as seems fit.

I doubt anyone will get 20yrs on the replacement lines..

it's not terribly expensive so I'd say 5yrs. should be proactive enough.. with thorough annual inspections

now how often do you change/flush your brake fluid?
should be every 2-3 yrs.
as it attracts moisture from past the seals/vented cap.
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[Ahwahnee]

I got 20+ years out of the originals - replaced them when I replaced the engine. So yeah, I'll probably just keep an eye on them (and lots of other things) for now.

The notion (I often see here) that some parts should be replaced periodically irrespective of condition is reasonable IF you are unable or unwilling to inspect the part. But it seems over the top to me to replace parts that can be inspected and tested (e.g. radiators, fuel pressure regulators, etc) solely due to age.

Fuel lines, of course, are hard to inspect or test and cheap enough to replace that one should be conservative and proactive if there is a doubt about them.

[bluebus86]

My originals where changed at motor rebuild after 20 years, no leaks up to then, but the insides where starting to crack. replaced with SAE 30R9 lined hoses which should be even better than factory, expect them to last life of motor or 20 years which ever is first.
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[Phishman068]

I replaced fuel lines on quite a few local busses (And quite a few of my own) using the various kits from the various vanagon specific vendors. Over the years I have determined that the fuel line they offered, despite being the proper stuff....still sucks. It's not their fault, that's just what's on the market! The crap fuel we have today absolutely destroys fuel lines.
I found vent lines which would get significant cracks from the inside out on the ends after as short as ONE YEAR! (both the braided german line and the US made smooth line).
The fuel injection line, would get much smaller internal cracks, but still significant, in two-three years. Based upon what I have seen and experienced, I have determined that the european fuel lines, built for european fuel (QUITE different from the crap we have here...) do not last sufficiently and I would be suspect of anything with more then 3 years on it. It's scary!

I have since started using only J30R9-J30R14 rated lines which have a liner and are intentionally produced for our crap fuel. We will see in a few years, but I did a great deal of research and found that this better fuel line really is significantly better then the improperly rated lines sold everywhere.
That's my plan.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

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[bluebus86]

[mekanism]

I just replaced mine with the expensive stuff that GW sells. Hopefully I will get at least 5 years out of it. My goal long term is to replace as much of the rubber line with steel lines using double flares and AN fittings. At leat this way there will be only inches of line to periodically replace instead of feet.

And WTF was VW thinking when they used plastic line for fuel??? I'm surprised more of these vehicles dont catch fire.

[Merian]

I doubt that the barrier hoses will need to be replaced in only 5 years, but why not contact the people who make the hose??

Do check the clamps, and consider Ben's comments on the FPR.

Then there are the brake hoses, and tires, not to mention the seatbelts.

[bluebus86]

[Merian]

Porsche used 2 different types of plastic hose on the 911 somewhere around 1974-5 or so. The earliest type replaced the steel fuel lines up to 1973 and does not last. The later type is good for several decades, tho I don't recall the two types of plastic used.

[mekanism]

[Wildthings]

I just changed out a piece of 8ish year old 30r7 on my Bay. It ran from the tank a short distance to the steel line I run into the engine compartment (this engine is carbed BTW). I had seen some fuel leaking and a quick inspection showed it was one end of this line that had swollen up, gotten soft, and was oozing fuel. I had thought I had gotten rid of any remaining 30r7 hose on any of my rigs, but had missed this piece.

Don't know what the life expectancy of either 30r9 or 30r14 will be, but since they are really not that expensive, changing them out every 5 years or should be part of normal maintenance.

[scottbott]

I have replaced mine twice in five years,when I had my LPG serviced this May the mechanic called me over and said look at this,petrol was shooting out in a jet just before the carb,luckily I was running on LPG,so that particular pipe has been replaced three times in five years,the rest will be changed over the winterI am pretty sure the petrol companies most expensive fuel is ethanol free,so the three times I have put petrol in the last it has been the expensive stuff,about 50 quid's worth in total

[Merian]

BTW - if you use the wrong type of clamps on the hose ends you will need to replace the hose pretty quickly - or maybe buy a new vehicle...

[Gruppe B]

After 3 years since the last fuel hose replacement my NAPA Canada 30R-9 hose has completely failed in multiple locations.

Over the winter during storage I appears that the hose degraded to a point where the outer covering is cracked and the inner portion is also degrading.

I went to start the van and immediately developed a leak, replaced hose and 2 more leaks developed at different locations.

Everything has to be replaced as I don't trust any of it now.

Gates Barricade will be the replacement

[chase4food]

[Gruppe B]

Here are the photos

Didn't use the fire covers over the fuel line 3 years ago but 2 of the leaks happened right at the end of the hoses so they wouldn't have done anything anyways. Hose has degraded right thru the entire line.

91 Octane entire time with ethanol...

[chase4food]

Thanks for sharing the unvarnished truth. The fuel line manufacturer is beyond bordering on criminal act. You are one very lucky owner and kudos for your attentiveness.

Is Napa Canada the new old Canadian Tire?
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[IdahoDoug]

Vince,

Just to clarify, you cannot have "one empirical evidence". Empirical evidence is a phrase that means a buildup of a quantity of valid evidence to draw a conclusion. By definition, "one" is not "empirical".

On the hose - holy cow that looks bad. Was this vehicle stored inside or outside? There is a reason for the question....
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