Fuel pipe fittings

[hanlminiman]

A cautionary tale re fuel pipes above the exhaust manifold.
I have always been very nervous of leaks from the fuel supply pipes for twin carbs above the hot exhaust manifold.
This afternoon I ran my car up to temperature and then opened the bonnet as it was vibrating, metal to metal noise.
I smelled fuel and noticed that the rubber connection in the small section of braided pipe to metal connecting pipe was leaking fuel onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Beware. I don't think the rubber was fitted correctly to the braided pipe and the hose clip might have punctured the thin rubber "connector?"
Take care.

[mk1]

Yes, the design of the carbs directly over the hot exhaust is always a potential issue. Also worth checking that ALL your flexible fuel lines are ethanol proof before the summer starts. having sat at the side of the road watching a MK2 Cooper S burn due to a fuel leak, (not from faulty lines) I would not recommend the experience to anyone!

[InnoCooperExport]

Also another reason to carry a fire extinguisher! I have one in every classic. The MGA has a full size one in the passenger footwell in front of the seat (admittedly not the handiest as the passenger's legs go over it, so they would have to get out before you can get to it), and the Fulvia has one of those fire safety sticks in the driver footwell, I will fit a similar one to the Inno. Thankfully I have never needed to use them but always best to carry one for nothing than end up like the poor people Mark witnessed.

I do wonder if anyone can shed some light on the correct ethanol rating for fuel hose, I've been trying to decode the SAE J markings and their ethanol proofing but I think I can't see the woods for the trees anymore!

[mk1]

This is what I have been using for a while now. Not cheap, but decent.

Available from Car Builder Solitions.

As supplied to VW, Audi and BMW.

Cohline hi-spec. rubber fuel hose. Cohline Type 2240 R9 Specification rubber fuel hose features FPM/ECO spec rubber making it 100% fuel proof, with Aramid braiding within the wall of the hose. Then ECO outer layer which is abrasion resistant.

Can withstand petrol, E85 rated flexible fuels, Ethanol, Diesel and Biodiesel fuels. Has a working temperature range of -40°C to +125°C.

DIN 73379. SAE J30R9

Price Per Metre

NOTE: Hose I.D. measures slightly smaller than nominal size. 7.3mm

[Catmint]

I totally agree with the Coline pipe, brilliant stuff, plus it is really flexible and looks like rubber pipe should. I sell it by 4" increments rather than a full meter

[tweedy998]

I can wholly recommend the Cohline fuel line I purchased from @Catmint to replace sections of fuel hose on the 998 Cooper. He supplies good (in my opinion) hose clips to suit too.

[mk1]

All Catmint Gordon's stuff is absolutely TOP NOTCH!

It's great to have a supplier who really takes pride in all his products.

And Gordon's a lovely bloke too!

Check out his range of stuff here;

https://shop.catmint.biz/

Or look out for his stall at Blyton.

[Peter Laidler]

As someone who has suffered at the side of the A34 Northbound from a heady mixture of corroded flexible fuel lines and ethanol fuel I totally agree with all of the above. As my mum used to tell me pretty-well every day '.....you have been warned...'

Get on to Catmint TODAY and get what you need to replace your flexible fuel lines. The side of the A34, 10 miles from home, ain't the place to be thinking about it

[Polarsilver]

Not my normal but this Pickup restoration brought me into sorting "mechanical fuel pump" Fuel Lines .. scary stuff as when i striped the fuel pipes off the pump on the delivery side .. the Flex; (now very stiff ) Fuel Pipe had deep into the rubber chaffing due to pipe contact with the subframe .. this issue is in an area that is hard to look see what is going on .
My advice if you have a Fuel Pump on the Engine Block .. Check your Fuel Hoses.

[Chewie Baker]

does anyone know if there are Ethanol proof hoses available that are also braided to keep the authentic look?

I've got a problem with a leak from the carb hose

[mk1]

Yes, lots, but make sure you buy from a reputable source, not off ebay.

http://www.minispares.com/search/classi ... 0pipe.aspx

[Andrew1967]

I make my own braided hoses with (allegedly) ethanol proof hose Chewie , although those MS ones make it hardly worth the effort.

[Chewie Baker]

thanks Mark and Andy

I haven't shopped at mini spares for a few years and didn't realise they did ethanol proof hose, so will be purchasing from there

cheers!

[Peter Laidler]

You can get the stainless braiding material by taking it off a commonly used flexible sink hose from B&Q. I don't know where you'll find the rubber end cups/caps though.....

[mk1]

End caps & clips.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175702409065 ... R-iT3dHVYg

[Andrew1967]

You can get the stainless braiding material by taking it off a commonly used flexible sink hose from B&Q. I don't know where you'll find the rubber end cups/caps though.....

I get mine from the off cuts of the armouring of some of the electrical cables used in our machines.

[kit of bits]

Earls at Silverstone do some nice stuff inc a cotton covered braided/ reinforced hose they can also do some nice silver crimped on ends . not cheap but nice and safe ..
D

http://www.earls.co.uk/

[rogerotto66s]

does anyone know if there are Ethanol proof hoses available that are also braided to keep the authentic look?

I took the braiding off the original non-ethanol proof hose and put it on the newly purchased ethanol proof hose.
This retained the original look.

Working with the braiding is similar to the Chinese finger puzzle/torture.

I also purchased new rubber ends. I may have used the original clips.