Splice a fuel line? squirrel damage

[Neilk]

Probably a dumb question, but here goes.

I have a pinhole leak in a fuel line, probably due to a squirrel biting it. Has anyone ever used a fuel rated hose coupler to repair a fuel line?

Replacing the whole line requires dropping the gas tank. Just wondering if that ever done, or if I have to bite the bullet.

Thanks!

[biosurfer1]

possible? Sure, but gas and brakes are two parts of the car I never go cheap on. Catching fire or not stopping at highway speed don't sound fun.

[Rick Lee]

I always thought the problem with fuel lines was accessing the end points to R&R the whole thing. I had one in my '87 Carrera that required a lot of disassembly to R&R. The photos the shop took were frightening and the labor was many times the cost of the part. So, if I could have patched it, I would have.

[fastfredracing]

Do it all the time. What kind of material are you working with ? There is a repair for nearly every type of fuel line out there.
Obviously, access is usually the hard part .

[VincentVega]

What kind of car? Low pressure carbureted cars have lots of rubber hose and clamps. Simple enough to splice in a patch. Use spring clamps. Higher pressure fuel injection? Not so sure. Sure its not rusted or rubbing on something? You could cut out a section and splice in a new metal section but you'd need enough room for a tool to get new ends on the line. How much room do you have?

[Tobra]

Fuel injection use fuel injection rated rubber lines. Internal reinforcement, not the sketchy, cloth wrapped stuff.

[stomachmonkey]

If it's a steel line just weld it back up.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I would remove line and bring it to a hydraulic shop for a proper crimped replacement of the entire line with some new Cohline.

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Do it all the time. What kind of material are you working with ? There is a repair for nearly every type of fuel line out there.
Obviously, access is usually the hard part .

Thanks for the answer. I was looking for professional feedback. It’s some kind of plastic.

[fastfredracing]

They have repair kits for plastic line . There are reinforced unions you can use, and or a tool to push barbed splice fittings into the plastic and the correct clamps
They are a little pricey , and a little bit of a pia to work with, but I do it all the time

[VincentVega]

^I've used one too, wasnt sure about it but it didnt leak

[fred cook]

Replace the part and get on with your life! Not worth worrying over!

[GH85Carrera]

Just some JB Weld and duct tape will do it.

It certainly depends on the fuel line pressure and location. On my 911 the line from the fuel pump started to leak. The only safe true fix is replacement. That line goes from the pump up over the steering rack, down the tunnel, and exist near the nose of the transmission. Working with no room at all is no fun. That line is under high pressure and I was not going to patch it.

[BoxsterGT]

Neilk -

If you email me w photos I can advise you.

I make up Porsche replacement fuel lines almost every day and this is something you do not want to play around with.

That said, I do have couplers specifically for the Polyamide lines in a 911 if that is what you are asking about.



email me at: Len.Cummings at verizon.net

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

If it's a steel line just weld it back up.

LOL

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by BoxsterGT

Neilk -

If you email me w photos I can advise you.

I make up Porsche replacement fuel lines almost every day and this is something you do not want to play around with.

That said, I do have couplers specifically for the Polyamide lines in a 911 if that is what you are asking about.



email me at: Len.Cummings at verizon.net

Thanks for the offer. I brought my BMW to a local shop and they used a coupler to fix the line around the leak. No more gas smells, so holding tight.

[BoxsterGT]

Good thing you brought it there.

Don't do BMW's. Only Porsches.

Len

[pmax]

BMW w/edible fuel lines ... figures.

What's next ? Organic impellers ? Wait ...

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

If it's a steel line just weld it back up.

Squirrels chew through a steel fuel line?
Oh. Yeah. Texas squirrels.

[fastfredracing]

Had this car in a few years ago.
What is eating this Honda Accord .