Fuel lines

[sunny]

want to replace my fuel lines for the van, (to prevent the unthinkable happening). Has anyone done this? Have looked at wiki and strongly suggests this to be done.....where is the best place to get the bits, what needs doing?

[ronsrecord]

glad you've asked this - i need to do it too. just drove up from guildford in a fog of petrol fumes!! seems to be coming from under the front wheel arch where the filler is.

[tonytech]

glad you've asked this - i need to do it too. just drove up from guildford in a fog of petrol fumes!! seems to be coming from under the front wheel arch where the filler is.

More than likely fumes are coming from the expansion tanks and their plumbing..... Unless the top of your petrol tamk is rotten

T

[jamesc76]

Could even post it up in technical might be a better place for this!

[ronsrecord]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah - nightmare! There's fuel leaking out onto the street outside my house - big puddle!! only picked up the van yesterday. have put sand over it - scared to move it now!!

[1664]

You're going to have to syphon (most of) the fuel out and drop the tank. Once the tank's off you might as well replace all the hoses, fuel filter and check the filler hose too. If the tank's rotten you'll have to replace it. I think GSF still do them.

And sorry Sunny, although I've actually done this, it was so long ago I've completely forgotten hose sizes etc.

[ronsrecord]

cheers 1664

the coventry T3 crew are on the case

it's a baptism of fire - hopefully not literally!

[windysurfer]

Correct size breather fuel lines are avaiable from Brickwerks

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=6

[sunny]

Thanks

will order the pipes and fit next week

[CovKid]

glad you've asked this - i need to do it too. just drove up from guildford in a fog of petrol fumes!! seems to be coming from under the front wheel arch where the filler is.

Have been over to see Ron today. Yesterday I siphoned out most of the fuel from tank and today removed it. The tank is rotting at the seams so he's ordering a new one but that was one BAD leak. A discarded match would have seen the lot go up!!!

[ronsrecord]

glad you've asked this - i need to do it too. just drove up from guildford in a fog of petrol fumes!! seems to be coming from under the front wheel arch where the filler is.

Have been over to see Ron today. Yesterday I siphoned out most of the fuel from tank and today removed it. The tank is rotting at the seams so he's ordering a new one but that was one BAD leak. A discarded match would have seen the lot go up!!!

cheers CovKid - and it was coming up for guy fawkes night too! would have made one big and expensive firework!

you don't expect to buy a van with such a bad leak and a 12 month MOT! you know who you are seller.

you and chickenkoop have been the Coventry knights in shining armour! many thanks to you and this brilliant forum.

[CovKid]

No worries - worth the trip for a good mug of tea and that cute baby of yours. Guess you've had a look at tank. You can see the tide mark on one corner and the rust - crumbling away on that corner. Order the tank, give it a coat of hammerite (hammer finish is fine), let it dry then give me a shout and i'll put it in (have PM'd you my mobile).

Don't remove remaining pipes from old tank as I'll need those in place for reference when putting everything back. Will pick up some hose from GSF just in case. The tank sender (still in old tank) will also need carrying across - wil do that on the refit.

Diagnosis: Severely corroded tank. Some evidence of perished pipe in places but leak was from tank itself and could have caused a horrendous fire. Rubber grommits in A1 condition but best to replace as much hose as we can whilst tank is out.

Also had to remove waste water container (loose under drivers side of van) to gain access. You might care to empty and give it a bleach/sanitiser wash out whlist its unbolted. Busy Weds but free thurs/fri/sat/sun.

This is what 80/90 is all about and you're very much part of a helpful circle in and around Coventry & Birmingham. We keep each other running!

[Oldjets]

Have just made a start on replacing mine - see my post with photos. Would give you the direct link but not sure how to (?) Type in 'Replacing flexible petrol pipes' to search box and it should be there somewhere.

Start with the ones in the engine bay as they are the biggest risk!

Pipe sizes may be different on earlier vans, but flexible rubber fuel pipes on my 1.9 DG are 5.5mm inside diameter. Except the pipe that joins the return fuel line to the tank - this is 5.5mm at one end and 7mm at the other for some reason known only to VW. Luckily this odd hose is still obtainable from VW Germany (at a price). The hard fuel lines from the tank to the engine bay and return are 6mm diameter plastic but can be replaced with good quality flexible hose throughout.

Don't assume that because flexible pipes look ok from outside that they are sound - they perish from the inside out! See my post. I will post some more photos when I come to do the short flexibles nearest the tank and the breather lines on top of the tank (these are the ones that allow fumes up into the cab when they split.

[CovKid]

You're quite right Oldjets and actually, for many T25s that have never had major work done on fuel lines, most will now be in urgent need of attention with some vehicles already 30 years old and even those at just 20 years showing signs of perishing. The area above the tank unfortunately isn't easy/possible to get at with the tank in situ (tho not too hard to get out) and it may be a prudent time to consider doing this work either now or in the Spring. Chickenkoop filled his tank to the top last night and he too got a leak.

I heard one comment recently that said one should never fill the tank up on a wedge. Thats ridiculous. If the tank and associated hoses and connections are in good order, there should be no leaks at all. From a purely practical point of view I rarely have more than half a tank for local runs, and i think thats the same for many of us and in my view its just added weight, but you should be able to fill up prior to a long run without a drip. Any leaks (as you say) at the engine end really are asking for trouble but once a hose begins to deteriorate, they all tend to go, which is why its worth following through from front to back. Considering a new tank and all the hose you'd need would be under £150, it seems daft not to renew the lot for piece of mind and the safety of everyone else on the road.

My advice for 2009/2010 would be to check and if in any doubt, renew the lot.

[sunny]

Great advice on this issue with fuel lines

Do you know how many metres of line you need, sizes etc is it 5.5mm all round and about 2/3 metres??

Do GSF sell the lines, clips, fuel filters etc, etc? If so i will pay them a visit somewhere tomorrow....