How long should new fuel line last?!

[chuggers72]

Evening all

I replaced all my fuel lines last year - went to start the ol' gal this morning with no joy. Turns out the fuel lines are perishing (major cracks and splits in all hoses) and carb was loaded with rubber fragments. Replacement hose was bought from Brickwerks - how long should it last!! Gotta be more than 12 months.

[slippy8v]

had the same prob last Sunday at Local VW show, a new rubber injector plug started spraying diesel all over the block smoke everywhere. The plug and bleed hoses where replaced last September. New fuel very hard on hose’s

other thread
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=130030" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[chuggers72]

mmmm... that's interesting and also blimmin worrying!

Guess I'd better replace with some of the expensive stuff from Brickwerks!

[CovKid]

I found a motor accessory shop up the road from me that had all kinds of fuel line including decent stuff that copes with modern fuel additives. Didn't cost much either so bought a few metres of it. Hopefully thats the last I see of that old cloth braided stuff I used to buy....

[ghost123uk]

Replacement hose was bought from Brickwerks - how long should it last!!

Guess I'd better replace with some of the expensive stuff from Brickwerks!

A bit confusing there, or is it the BW sells a cheaper one and a dearer one ?

Either way, I reckon a polite email to Simon with your findings might be worth it. I know he will be interested as he does not like selling owt that is not up to the mark, (especially fuel hose I bet !)

I rarely use regular grade petrol in the van (or the old Brit bikes) I look for garages that sell the "premium grade" fuel that is usually (but not always) Ethanol free. I can feel the difference if I have to use regular fuel, (more so on the old BSA) Note, Shell "premium" (V-Power) fuel does have Ethanol

[Fully Loaded Cali']

Same here, bought new at Stanford Hall last year, they're now perished....

[CovKid]

New what though? I think the familiar stuff that is still sold by places like GSF etc (and was always used on bugs), doesn't cut the mustard anymore. I have little confidence with newer formulations of fuel and I won't buy any fuel hose now without having all the specs. It can rot out in no time. Its rather too easy to develop a fire in the back of these vehicles too and we should all inspect fuel lines as part of a service I think. Once a year may be too long.

Last but not least - be very wary of what you buy on ebay. Fake fuel hose is not uncommon. A lot of places seem to selling off their old stuff too. After all, if you've got a huge reel of it in the storeroom......

[Simon Baxter]

It's modern fuels, nightmare.
We don't have much left of the old stuff, it will all be replaced with FPM very shortly.

[New Kentish Campers]

This might be worth a read ( my fuel lines were rotten last year too after only 10 months) : http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/wes ... pdate.html

[silverbullet]

My turn this evening. Overbraided petrol hose. Months old, not years.https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130201" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ghost123uk]

Tis quite an issue with many classics. Anything with a fibreglass tank is stuffed, and that includes some cars as well as race style motorbikes. The carbs used on most classic Brit bikes (made by Amal) suffer badly and owners usually replace them with the latest "Ethonol proof" version at around £160 each. I have replaced them on both my bikes @ a cost of £320+.

Also remember the "storage" issue. If a vehicle is left unused for months, like many campers, motorbikes and even lawn mowers, the hygroscopic nature of Ethanol absorbs water. A side affect of this is a horrid, hard to remove goo that looks like snot (sorry) that blocks fuel taps, filters, float chamber valves and carb jets etc. I have had to help on 3 vehicles in the last few months because of this, 2 motorcycles (not mine) and a neighbours lawnmower.

This bit from that article linked to above (which has HUGE viewing figures) =

the filler neck of the fuel tank is attacked. In older vehicles this often has a rubber connection. Natural rubber is quickly broken down by Ethanol. A well-known motoring organisation noticed a worrying trend involving the filler neck of a certain popular German camper vehicle. The rubber pipe would perish allowing fuel to leak during re-fuelling and petrol smells emanating from the vehicle. When a new pipe was fitted it also would perish within six months

Speaks volumes, and this bit =

Tests conducted on a variety of vehicles using E5 & E10 fuels have recorded stalling problems at idle, difficulty in starting, hesitation and flat-spots

Might ring a few bells on here.

Some folks on here have decried my thoughts on this subject, but I stand by my opinion. I hate Ethanol fuel and very rarely buy it ! My 3 main vehicles (all classics) run noticeably better on "proper" petrol as I call it, and although I haven't tested it, I bet they do a tad more MPG, so the slight extra cost is vindicated.

Mind you, for the van, it's LPG 95% of the time !

[bluedirtydigit]

It's modern fuels, nightmare.
We don't have much left of the old stuff, it will all be replaced with FPM very shortly.

Does that mean you are still selling the old stuff even though it causes problems?