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Switched from LPG to petrol & it poured over heat exchanger
Posted: 15 Apr 2008, 18:33
by irishkeet
He
Went to Wales last weekend and we ran out of LPG so I switched to petrol, after a few mins we had a strong smell of petrol and the van lost most of the power, we broke down at the tool booth on the Severn Bridge! I managed to start it again and we limped to the side of the road.
Got my partner to start up the van and petrol was pouring over the right exchanger and onto the road, after looking in the engine I noticed that the fuel line had come undone (photos below)
Funny thing is the short metal rod that the line attaches to was still attached to the line with the clip. Fixed this and we drove for another 30 miles with no problems before getting LPG. I've not used pertol since and I dont know what part of the engine the line was connected to. Im a bit worried about using petrol in case it fails again. Any advice would be great.
fuel line top right of the engine
this is the line that came loose
I'm worried that it was the pipe the fuel line attaches to that came looase and not just the fuel line - can anyone tell me what this part is called
many thanks
irishkeet
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 00:21
by mrhutch
when you flipped to LPG did the problem stop>?
Assuming you are running an Aircooled CU 2L engine there, is there an aftermarket fuel pump or do you use the one driven from the engine.
Who did the conversion (if it's Steve you have no need to worry!)
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 08:08
by irishkeet
mrhutch wrote:when you flipped to LPG did the problem stop>?
Yes problem stopped one i went to LPG
Assuming you are running an Aircooled CU 2L engine there, is there an aftermarket fuel pump or do you use the one driven from the engine.
Who did the conversion (if it's Steve you have no need to worry!)
Sorry yes 2L Aircooled and converted by Steve
Do you know what part of the engine it is where the fuel line goes in
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 08:22
by mrhutch
blimey it's been a while since I had to look at an Aircooled!
on standard twin solexes your fuel line should come in at the right hand side of the rear bulkhead, and split on a T piece to each carb. BUT... the LHS carb controls the the idling mix and fuelling to the RHS (supplied by metal pipe running along back bulkhead)
I *think* the piece that popped off for you is the main fuel line INTO the RHS carb (i.e. part of the carb itself). I've never seen this part of the carb fail before, and it is quite worrying. if it is loose ~ try and wiggle it ! ~ it may be able to be bonded back into place or even soldered/welded??
I'm not an air-cooled expert I'm sure someone else will post soon with better advice!!
hope that helps.. BTW I wouldn't drive it until that is sorted...
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 08:41
by irishkeet
mrhutch wrote:blimey it's been a while since I had to look at an Aircooled!
on standard twin solexes your fuel line should come in at the right hand side of the rear bulkhead, and split on a T piece to each carb. BUT... the LHS carb controls the the idling mix and fuelling to the RHS (supplied by metal pipe running along back bulkhead)
I *think* the piece that popped off for you is the main fuel line INTO the RHS carb (i.e. part of the carb itself). I've never seen this part of the carb fail before, and it is quite worrying. if it is loose ~ try and wiggle it ! ~ it may be able to be bonded back into place or even soldered/welded??
I'm not an air-cooled expert I'm sure someone else will post soon with better advice!!
many thanks Ill have a better look at it over the weekend
would you not drive it on LPG?
thanks
irishkeet
hope that helps.. BTW I wouldn't drive it until that is sorted...
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 09:15
by Dubstar
It does it on mine occasionally, if I'm doing some engine type work if I pull the pipe it sometimes comes out. A bit scary as like on yours, it could pop off when driving. Fortunately I'm also on gas so I don't really use petrol anymore! Anyway, all I do is take it out of the end of the teptrol pipe, push it back into the carb, and then I have a pair of water pump pliers that I open fully and put one side against the end of the brass pipe and the other behind the carb and squeeze it in a bit more. Not too hard as it will mess the end of the brass pipe, but hard enough to give it a little push in. I suppose I should try and also araldite it in when doing this. Maybe next time it comes out.
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 09:35
by irishkeet
CHEERS DUBSTAR
nice to know someone else has had this issue
ill have a mess about an maybe solder it a bit
ill be up to gasure later in the year to get a SS exhaust fitted so Ill get Steve to have a proper look
I hardly use petty much either (thank god!)
cheers
irishkeet
Dubstar wrote:It does it on mine occasionally, if I'm doing some engine type work if I pull the pipe it sometimes comes out. A bit scary as like on yours, it could pop off when driving. Fortunately I'm also on gas so I don't really use petrol anymore! Anyway, all I do is take it out of the end of the teptrol pipe, push it back into the carb, and then I have a pair of water pump pliers that I open fully and put one side against the end of the brass pipe and the other behind the carb and squeeze it in a bit more. Not too hard as it will mess the end of the brass pipe, but hard enough to give it a little push in. I suppose I should try and also araldite it in when doing this. Maybe next time it comes out.
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 10:37
by toomanytoys
If you know you have a loose petrol connection and dont fix it properly, then dont come crying on here if your van goes up in smoke.......
Solder/braze may not fix it..
Araldite wont cure if there is any pertol vapours about..
any petrol pipes that looka bit ropey.. change them... use proper petrol pipe clips rather than the small "jubilee" clips too...
If you have an electric fuel pump, make sure it cant deliver too much pressure, either by fitting a regulator or its a low pressure unit...
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 11:54
by Dubstar
All my actual petrol pipes are ok, although I have got jubilee clips on them as I don't have a special petrol pipe clip tool and all the clips that go with it. It's not actually these though, it's the actual brass piece that goes into the carb that comes out, still securely clamped into the petrol pipe. I don't know of any other way to hold it in place, as I'm assuming it's supposed to be a tight squeeze type of fit - I forget the technical term for this, very emabarrasing!
Interferance fit maybe?
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 12:22
by irishkeet
Dubstar
yes for me its also the brass pipe with a mushroom head (that the fuel line connects to)
All my fuel lines are on the correct fuel line clips and the lines themselves are good quality reinforced rubber
toomanytoys
I wont be coming crying if my van goes on fire...instead I have come for advice and guidance which should avoid my van becoming engulfed in flames
If you read my original thread Its not the fuel lines that are the problem but as Dubstar has said tis the 'actual brass piece that goes into the carb'
Have you any advice on how best to fit this back in securely?
thanks
irishkeet
Dubstar wrote:All my actual petrol pipes are ok, although I have got jubilee clips on them as I don't have a special petrol pipe clip tool and all the clips that go with it. It's not actually these though, it's the actual brass piece that goes into the carb that comes out, still securely clamped into the petrol pipe. I don't know of any other way to hold it in place, as I'm assuming it's supposed to be a tight squeeze type of fit - I forget the technical term for this, very emabarrasing!
Interferance fit maybe?
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 12:23
by irishkeet
Dubstar
Where is your pipe thats coming loose, is it the same side as mine?
Dubstar wrote:All my actual petrol pipes are ok, although I have got jubilee clips on them as I don't have a special petrol pipe clip tool and all the clips that go with it. It's not actually these though, it's the actual brass piece that goes into the carb that comes out, still securely clamped into the petrol pipe. I don't know of any other way to hold it in place, as I'm assuming it's supposed to be a tight squeeze type of fit - I forget the technical term for this, very emabarrasing!
Interferance fit maybe?
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 16:19
by Dubstar
Yes, same side as mine. Must be all when messing about with the air filter it gets caught maybe? I find using the method of puuting it back in with water pump/very wide opening pliers works well, and has only come out once since then, and that was when I was trying to remove a stuck petrol pipe to put on a new one.
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 16:53
by toomanytoys
Acually it was constructive advice where you (any person, not YOU in particular) may find petrol pipes that are in poor condition.. applicable to anyone........
and if you read what I wrote, I didnt target pipes, but loose connections.. a bit of brass that was an interferance (or potentially integrally cast) fit 25 years ago and is pushed back in with a pair of pliers is a loose connection in my book... and still a potential hazard....
I did suggest braze and solder would prob not work (the alloy of the carb wont take kindly to much heat!!) and araldite needs to be free from petrol to harden properly...
the petrol pipe clips are the small ones with a nut and bolt ones, not the OE crimp on style..
Oh of course the other suggestion would be to buy a new part or a good second hand one..
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 16:58
by irishkeet
toomanytoys wrote:Acually it was constructive advice where you (any person, not YOU in particular) may find petrol pipes that are in poor condition.. applicable to anyone........
many thanks
do you know where i can find replacement pipe parts
and if you read what I wrote, I didnt target pipes, but loose connections.. a bit of brass that was an interferance (or potentially integrally cast) fit 25 years ago and is pushed back in with a pair of pliers is a loose connection in my book... and still a potential hazard....
I did suggest braze and solder would prob not work (the alloy of the carb wont take kindly to much heat!!) and araldite needs to be free from petrol to harden properly...
you did indeed and thanks for that
all the best
irishkeet
Posted: 16 Apr 2008, 17:03
by toomanytoys
I would also suggest that you speak with Steve at Gasure as he rebiulds the solexes and may well have a stock of good ones (the part you need) ............