Leaky Fuel lines

[john clarke]

Just thought I would add my $0.02.  From everything I have read it is never
advisable to replace steel or rubber lines with copper tubing.  I am not
sure exactly why it is not recommended but I have heard of many people and
garages doing it.

Personally, I always use steel and if I have to splice in a rubber section,
I will use a bubble flaring tool to flare the steel ends.  The bubble tool
gives a rounded ridge about 5mm back from the end of the line.  I put 1 or 2
fuel line clamps outboard of the bubble (proper clamps do not have the holes
in the band that can cut into the line if you overtighten them and transfer
the pressure completely around the line as opposed to predominantly at the
screw).  Also, regular flaring tools produce a sharp ridge at the end of the
line that can cut through the rubber.

When I'm in an a especially retentive mood, I will slide a piece of
reinforced, clear rubber tubing over the steel line before I bend it.  Then
I seal the ends with heat-shrinkable tubing (at the compression fittings) to
keep water and crud out.  This works especially well underneath the vehicle
where flying rocks and salt water live.  For lines in more civil areas, like
under the hood, I will slide heat-shrinkable tubing (available in 25ft rolls
of different diameters  from places like JC Whitney) over the line then
apply the heat.  From experience, it is much easier to do this before you
bend the line!!!  It may be overkill but I hate doing things twice.

John
'90 90Q20v   (no fires yet)  Hew?

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