Engine Bay Split and Leaking Fuel Pipe

[keynsham1]

I started my van this morning, moved it out from under the car port and then after letting it run for a few minutes, turned it off to close the gates. There was a very strong smell of petrol at the back and when I looked underneath, there was petrol dripping on the floor. I quickly got access to the engine cover, removed it and had a look. On the top of the engine casings where there are pockets, there were puddles of petrol. I dried it off and started the engine to see where the leak was, and it was coming from the pipe that runs from the mechanical fuel pump to the carburettor. And it wasn't just a drip but a constant flow. To cut a long story short, the pipe had split. It was only R6 type pipe so not really effective against E10 fuel, but I have never used E10 fuel in the van, always filling with E5, so I am assuming this si not an ethanol related issue. What is interesting is that it has split on the outer bend side, so the tension side, and at the embossed letters on the pipe! They must cause a stress concentration and over time start a crack in the rubber! Food for thought????

Maybe an automatic fire extinguisher is a good idea after all!!

[Oldiebut goodie]

E5 = up to 5% Ethanol. E0 would be no ethanol.
If that is a date code 2005 manufacture? Only nigh on 20 years old!

[keynsham1]

I think it is a code or part number but not a date. I fitted the hose myself only a few years ago and it was new hose then. As I understand it, up to 5% ethanol doesn't really cause much of an issue, hence why up until the introduction of E10, it wasn't much of a talking point.

[Mocki]

This is why fuel lines need to be checked periodically , ideally every 6 weeks when checking the coolant, pipes and general condition of everything . Easy to forget what’s under the lid , easy to leave it ages .

Sadly the quality of any rubber is poor these days , they took all the goodness out of it to save the polar bears i guess

And yes a automatic fire suppressant system is a worthwhile move, if you hadn’t had to close the gates and had driven off would a stray spark from the ignition, or the hot exhaust have proved the end of your van ?

[multisi]

It is a date stamp, the hose that Brickwerks sell is good stuff, it may seem expensive but its worth it, some of the hoses out there are very poor quality, i bought some fuel injection hose locally and was splitting after 2 years, good hose  should last way longer.

[keynsham1]

It is a date stamp, the hose that Brickwerks sell is good stuff, it may seem expensive but its worth it, some of the hoses out there are very poor quality, i bought some fuel injection hose locally and was splitting after 2 years, good hose  should last way longer.

It does certainly look like a date stamp. The whole number is 201305 so I would guess 2013, May rather than 2005. I have been Googling but I can't find any info anywhere on date stamps.

One of the new pieces of hose I bought yesterday, from a reputable shop and properly packaged, has the stamp 202012 which suggests it is already 3 1/2 years old!

[multisi]

Do you know if the new hose is any good ?  It could be poor quality .

[keynsham1]

Do you know if the new hose is any good ?  It could be poor quality .

How can you tell? It came from a good source and it has all the correct stamps and identity markings on it. It is basically a piece of black rubber tube so I am not sure how you would know if it is a dodgy knock offor not? Even so say recommended suppliers will get their hoses from somewhere else, who probably buy it in bulk from a commercial supplier. I suspect the only way to be sure is to buy it from an actual manufacturer and not a supplier. They do exist if you look. Easier still, just change it every six months!!

[multisi]

I have already recommended Brickwerks as a place to go for quality fuel hose, i had some from somewhere else and that lasted 15 years, im expecting the Brickwerks hose to be long lasting as well.