TheSamba.com :: View topic - Using heater hose for fuel tank cross over

Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:34 am

Hi, I just did my new stainless steel cooling lines and new gas tank. The cooling lines which I though were going to be a bearcat went in nicely, but the gas tank has been a real patience tester. There is no way I can get the cross over pipe into the grommets so I'm thinking of cutting out the hard plastic piece and replacing it with rubber a bit longer. I happen to have a piece of 5/8ths heater hose left that would do the trick and was wondering since its part of the vent system if using heater hose would be a problem or do I need to get fuel line? Thanks John

Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:44 am

John,

Heater hose isn't rated for continuous exposure to fuel, which includes the fuel vapor the hose in this location will transport. The end result will be the inside of the hose will break down and begin dropping rubber bits into the fuel tank. Is it that you are unable to secure fuel line of this size in your area? I ask because by posting this here you will likely get a solution as others have been in your shoes.

Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:52 am

I was able to reach through the wheel wells (tires removed, clam shell removed for good measure) to pop the crossover tube fittings into the grommets. I used a ultra thin layer of grease to lube everything up beforehand, the grease will wash out into the gasoline, so no worries. I also re-did the small braided evap lines, leaving them long and connecting to the expansion tanks as the last step. This made sure that the small evap hoses were not binding the crossover tube in any way. Hope this helps.

-Kevin

Thu Jun 04, 2015 11:00 am

Thanks Guy's! I wasn't sure if the rubber would cause a problem so I'll go on the hunt for some gas line hose. Probably be able to squeeze 1/2 inch on with a bit of effort.

Kevin....I tried every which way I could think of but the hose is just too short to bend that far. Maybe the new coolant pipes are in a bit different position and causing that?? I also have a auxillary gas heater with adds a bunch of junk to go over so its really hard to work in there even through the fenderwell.

Thanks again....off to get some proper hose!

Thu Jun 04, 2015 11:44 am

BTW, I wish I had added grease to my arm when I stuck it through the area with the A/C lines on the drivers side. Almost became a permanent fixture to my bus by getting stuck in there. :lol:

Thu Jun 04, 2015 12:49 pm

:) I know the feeling!

Thu Jun 04, 2015 12:58 pm

You can get some pretty large diameter fuel hose for your local Cat or other heavy equipment dealer.

Fri Jun 05, 2015 7:21 pm

Putting in the fuel line for the crossover made the job SOOOO much easier. I don't know why one would use those short pastic tubes when a couple of extra inches on each side gives you so much more room to work.

On another note....I broke off the plastic nipple on the passenger side vent tank valve trying to get the hose off. I took the tank out and found a little metal tube to insert and glued the nipple back on to that and left it to dry. I wanted to check for leaks so I connected the 2 bottom vent lines to form a loop to the tank and put a piece of tape over the top tube that joins the tanks so no dirt would get in and went down to fill up. Low and behold a huge puddle formed instantly under the passenger side of the tank. It was not coming from the grommets or lines on top so I assumed it was out beside the filler grommet ( I have a 70mm to 48mm step down grommet ) and was preparing myself to have to drop the tank yet again. Today I put the vent tank under the wheelwell back in and plummed it up and went down to top it off one more time to see If I could find exactly where the leak was coming from. Surprise! No more leaks! I guess the vent system does have a purpose in keeping the pressure from pushing out the grommets. I'm so happy I don't have to do that again.