Stainless fuel lines?

[Vinowagen]

Now that I have been bitten by the "weeping" fuel line bug, its time to replace the lines from the filter back. I've already changed the low pressure lines between the gas tank and the filters. I've searched the forum and I'm suprised that no one has gone to all stainless or a combination of high pressure rubber and stainless. Is there something inherently wrong with this approach? I've done some of the research and 20' of 5/16 ss line from Summit racing is $32. True, the fittings and clamps are more expensive but if you factor in the fact that some people are experiencing fuel line cracks as soon as every three years you'd probably pay for the job fairly quickly ($58 dollars for the replacement kit from Bus Depot) Any info from the gurus on the Samba would be greatly appreciated!
_________________
Lou

"The bus come by and I got on, that's where it all began..."

'85 Westy GL (Mabel)

[Dogpilot]

Actually, I'm pretty happy with the BMW fuel line that Van Cafe sells. Two years and it still looks new. The SS line is really a braided line that is more for looks that practicality. The SS braid can cause more problems than it solve in the engine compartment. The braid will cause other items, like vacuum lines and wires to be subject to fretting. Considering the really poor shape the wire is in already, by virtue of being 20+ years old, they need no more harm.

The best thing to do is replace the hoses on a 5 year cycle. This is what we do with rubber lines (SS braid or not) on aircraft. Besides, if you jump in and replace the fuel lines, you'll always find one more sorry a$$ item that need to be replaced at the same time.

The other item about SS lines, without the proper AN style fittings, they are really not much better that just rubber. They will crack on the ends as well. With all the additives being cocktailed into our fuel now, rubber lines will degrade, SS sheath or not. Its not your granddad's gasoline anymore.
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[Vinowagen]

I was thinking of solid stainless at least for the run from the filter to the firewall. Braided fuel lines that I'd trust are too expensive for this application. If its not worth the hassle I could be convinced to do rubber lines. I just like the way stainless hard lines look.
_________________
Lou

"The bus come by and I got on, that's where it all began..."

'85 Westy GL (Mabel)

[Terry Kay]

Stainless tubing running back from the pump to the engine bay would eliminate a bunch of problems--and for a much longer duration than just braided lines.
_________________
T.K.

[D Clymer]

Sounds like a new product niche for you, Terry. Maybe you could make them so the stainless tube sticks through the firewall hole where the plastic spigot used to be and then has a similar shaped flange that bolts to the same holes.

David

[OilNBolts]

With a bubble flaring tool to form the ends and a tubing bender to do a professional looking routing job, it would be a good Saturday project. Steel fuel line tubing is available at Napa, I wonder if they have stainless?

It may be possible to cut the ends off of the original plastic firewall fitting, drill it to allow the new tube to pass through, and JB Weld the fitting to the tube as a final step. The plastic fitting does a nice job of isolating the fuel delivery system from engine vibration.
_________________
Current fleet: Vanagons, two '88 GLs and an 89 Bluestar. Beetles, '63, '64, '72 convertible. Plus, four Subarus and three Prius. Too many cars.

[wavanagon]

I just did this on Sunday. Replaced the rubber--plastic--rubber--firewall connector combo of death with a solid 7mm line that goes from the filter directly to the T. One of the best things you can do and it's cheap insurance. You can read my intriguing tale in the vanagon bbq thread.
_________________
1988 Vanagon GL - For Sale
1987 Westfalia
2008 Audi A4 2.0T
http://wavanagon.googlepages.com

Dirty from working on your Vanagon? Buy soap from my wife!
http://www.teatreesoap.com

[Wildthings]

I think that getting rid of the plastic line is a good idea, but don't know that SS is necessary except maybe in areas with lots of salt. Plain steel is probably fine and is easy to form a bubble or bead on the end with just a little solder.

[Terry Kay]

I think I'd take a pass on the solder to retain the hose.

A double flare would be the neatest set up on the end of the steel tubing--it'd look like it belonged there anyway--

Stainless would be hard of the flaring tool's--

It might be a possiblity--but I'm almost sure the stuff would have to be really thin wall stainless.


Good idea--I'll have to work on this in my spare time (?)
_________________
T.K.

[Vinowagen]

Do stainless hard lines have pressure ratings like the rubber ones? I've been told to stay away from aluminum lines for high pressure applications such as fuel injection. Would the thin walled stainless TK spoke of be ok for fuel injection? Where can you find such a thing? Also, does it matter what size fuel lines (5/16 vs 7mm) I use. As long as I use at least the same i.d.?
_________________
Lou

"The bus come by and I got on, that's where it all began..."

'85 Westy GL (Mabel)

[wavanagon]

hey vinowagen, are you still driving the van? with weeping fuel lines? if you are, please change them out asap w/ rubber until you find whatever SS/aluminum lines you are looking for. Weeping fuel lines are no good and they are so cheap and easy to replace!
_________________
1988 Vanagon GL - For Sale
1987 Westfalia
2008 Audi A4 2.0T
http://wavanagon.googlepages.com

Dirty from working on your Vanagon? Buy soap from my wife!
http://www.teatreesoap.com

[Terry Kay]

You should be able to find almost any size of stainless tubing at any local hydaulic shop.

They'd have tubing, hose, whatever you need in any size, or length.
_________________
T.K.

[Vinowagen]

[Vinowagen]