The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Rubber Fuel Lines

This weekend I had to replace my rubber fuel lines because they were cracked and "corroded". These lines were brand new 2 1/2 years ago. Has anybody else noticed this happening on ANY vehicle you own?
I have noticed this on my lawn mower and tiller, but paid it no mind. Does any body think this has any thing to do with "gasahol"? Also, are there any fuel lines that are safer to use? Thanks in advance.

I do know that there is a difference between rubber oil lines and gas lines. When you go to a parts store, request "gas line" type hose. Usually, if the wrong type is in place it will just soften and swell the line. I don't know why they would crack in that short of time. I run gasahol all the time without problems. I do remember running a methonal blend (wood alcohol) that swelled carb parts, but haven't had a problem with ethanol (corn alcohol).

Just go to a commercial supply and buy a better grade of hose. I ended up at a hydralic supply company and bought hose there that was reasonabley priced, cute blue color and has worked great for 3 yrs now shows no sign of aging

As mentioned by "Builder" and "Gazim", there are different grades of hoses. Vacuum hose should NEVER be use in the fuel system. Most auto parts stores will have both "fuel hose" and "alcohol resistant fuel hose". Expect the alcohol resistant stuff to last longer, but ethanol will attack this as well.

The most difficult problem we deal with here at the shop is the changing properties of fuel, especially the ethanol.

I would suggest changing ALL of the flexible hose (no, I do NOT sell fuel line) in your fuel system every three years. Shouldn't be that much of a problem, as the only non-metal fuel lines you should have are small connectors (flex joints) between metal lines.

Jon.

I just use the NAPA rubber fuel lines. I have had my current ones on for about 6 months and they show no signs of age as yet, but I change them every time I change fuel filters.

Along the lines of the discussion thus far, I had a "by-pass" system I was using to locate a issue where I was trying to locate the problem for not getting fuel to the carb on a donor truck... I ran a fuel line from a plastic gas jug I had placed under the hood... this was last fall. well the problem is now solved however I didn't ever get time to go back and remove the line from the jug...

Just last week when I went to start working on things again I noticed that the outside of the line (running from the gas jug) is now completely deteroriated... when you touch the section that was in the fuel it feels spongy... not firm like a rubber fuel line should be... is there a difference in material on a fuel line between the inside section and outside section? Or is this just low grade hose? The line says its Goodyear.

Thanks

AAAAAAAaaaaHHHHHHH YES

You have now seen the gasoline additives @ work!!!!!
My 356 (small german sports type auto) had brand new very good german hose and still I had an engine fire (about 30 seconds worth of flame) that cost me (insurance co) $4500.00 and
I CARRY A HALON FIRE EXTINGUSHER !!!!!!!!!!
part of the re-formulationed gas now has 'additives' that EAT away @ fuel lines. the clear plastic fuel line gets very hard and brittle... watch out.

:mad: It has been determined that the older autos use fuel line hose and it a way for the air resources and air quality people can clean up our air by ELIMINATING OLDER AUTOS/ TRUCKS. :mad: :rolleyes:

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO W/ GASOHOL, ETHENOL OR XYZ BASED GAS. most of the newer autos have fuel injection and the additives do not affect those high pressure lines because they cost $7.50/PER FOOT.
This IS another reason why ::: i do not have a fuel 'inline/ glass or ???' filter any where above the exhaust system manifold area !!!!!!!! my big inline filter is under the cab, along the rail, protected (i have an under bed tank). DON"T use a cheap plastic filter !!!!!

SO go buy the high $$$ stuff FUEL INJECTION HOSE. This is your truck... don't cheap out !!!!!

>>>>> TAKE NOTE
CARRY A HALON (not powder or liquid based) FIRE EXTINGUSHER... ALWAYS
Make sure it's up to date, charged and ready to work.
w/ a halon you can put the fire out and not cause ANY damage to the carb or other bits. ... but w/ powder forget it, you have major issues w/ the carb rebuild. IT'S worth the Extra $$$$$$$

Ps ::: take a cup of gas and put it in a dish... let it sit a week and LOOK what's left.

i hate to bold so much but this subject really gets me ****** off.... i guess it was that fire in my 356
oh it's all fixed now but still

Good advice from all. When you say "Rubber fuel line" It aint rubber. rubber deterates fast when exposed to gasoline, Probably neophreene (sp)

Oh Crap! I just realized after reading carolines truck post that I ran my Cheap Napa Hose with a plastic see through filter right across the top of my manifold!I also just put a fire extinguisher in the driver side floor board,but if it comes down to it the fire ex. will probablly explode in the fire because I will be bailing out,and un hooking and charging the ex. will be the last thing on my mind! But I think I will try and re-route my fuel line though!

I replaced mine 2 weeks ago. They were about 3 yrs old and sound just like yours did. They are "Fuel Line" and I was surprised that they cracked that way in just a few years.

Always Something...
Buddy

I replaced mine about 9 months ago and the two that I took off snapped and crumbled before I could undo the hose clamps. The stuff that I bought at Advance Auto Parts looks to be holding up fairly well, I guess that I'll pay more attention to them now.

Drew

using fuel injection hose is a good idea.its more expensive but won't blow out.

I was under the impression that new Halon fire extinguishers were no longer for sale due to ozone depletion. I had an automatic Halon system in the engine compartment on a boat, as well as four handheld Halon extinguishers and was told to hang on to them as they couldn't be replaced.

Thanks for all the good replies and answers. I am also wondering about the break down of my other "rubber" parts that I cannot see. (diaphram in fuel pump, vacuum hoses connected to intake manifold, diaphram in brake booster, etc.) This break down of these components was the reason "gasahol" was pulled from the market in the 70's. Carolines Truck said this was occurring because of gas additives, but shouldn't a "National Warning" be issued? This is dangerous!

Went to change the oil on my truck and when I put it up on ramps... new fuel line time. Dry, cracked, and leaking. Replaced that line less than two years ago! I am going to look into hardlining from the tank to a filter to the carb as soon as I get the dual carb setup situated.

Halon is no longer being manufactured however it is still readily available from most fire extinguisher suppliers.

''they'' don't care if the older vehicles go 'south'
that's the idea. the EPA likes fuel injection (steel lines all the way to the injectors) and the eating of cheap components is a by-product.
if they get rid of the older autos the general air quality will be better overall.

ASK around and you can still find HALON.
yes it is still VERY much used in computer /data room across the nation in companies that had large network systems. EVERY central office building @ the major phone companies still has halon, and they get inspected every year... refilled every year reguardless of if they were used or NOT. that's a whole bunch of them. i know, cause i'm in the telecommunication business 33yrs and spend lots of time in those rooms. It's there, believe me... HALON is alive and well, ask the extingushers companies & they can be refilled at most business' that do that work.
if you can score one or two at swap meets go for it.

Hey All:
Does anyone have any experience with silicone fuel line? I used to use it on Nitro RC cars. That fuel has a real high Alcohol content, but I am not sure about the other additives. I am wondering if it would work better on our vehicles, and if anyone knows of anyone that makes it in real car/truck sizes?

fuel injection hose @ $7-8.00/foot works very well w/ todays pump fuel. available @ any part house

High ozone levels cause most auto "rubber" parts to dry and crack. areas with higher ozone polution may deteriate "rubber" parts faster than some others. just 2 cents.