Replacing fuel lines in tunnel

[Guy Chiattello]

On my 82 SC Coupe (low milage about 94K miles)I continue to have a slight smell of fuel coming from the tunnel. I especially smell the fuel when I have the sun roof open.

It is my understanding that the fuel lines are steel. Anyone have an idea why they would have a leak?

Guy Chiattello

[azasadny]

Could the fuel leak be above that area and dripping down? My fuel leaks were behind the CIS stuff at the top of the engine, but the gas dripped down along the lines to the fuel pump (my fuel pump is in the rear, behind the tunnel).

[Steeve]

I just had to replace my pressure line. Not sure what happened to it. Three is a section of it that is rubber. Could that be where your leak is?

[Rick Lee]

So did you already replace the line or do you think you need to do so? First, pull the belly pan off and have a look at the fuel pump and see if there's any wetness. Any drips under the car? When this happened to my Carrera, it was the banjo fitting that goes onto the fuel pump. Probably could have jury rigged it, but I did it right and had the entire line replaced in the tunnel. Major job. Track it down before you go through what I did.

[Guy Chiattello]

Thanks for the input. I did check the banjo fitting and other areas and find no fuel leaks. It may be the rubber portion of the pressure line.
I did look at the threads on replacing the lines. Looks like quite a job.

Guy Chiattello

[AFJuvat]

You are probably leaking at the swedged sitting where the rubber meets steel. It is usually the pressure line rather than the return line.

The job isn't that bad if you plan ahead for it - it sounds a lot worse than it actually is. It will occupy at least a Saturday, maybe some of Sunday.

The easiest way that I have found to do it is as follows:

Run the car until you are really low on gas - 5 gallons or less

Drain the fuel tank, disconnect the fuel lines from the tank.

Remove the battery and fuel tank. You can skip the fuel tank - but it is a lot easier to pull the hose and install the new one with the tank out. It only takes about 15 minutes to remove a tank

Disconnect the fuel line from the engine and the fuel pump.

Remove the Center tunnel access plate Pop out the grommet that the fuel line rides in.

Remove shifter (for installing the new line)

Pull the line out.

Installation is the reverse of removal. It may slide easier if you coat the line with silicone spray lube. Tape up the ends of the fuel line so to do not get foreign material in it.

When feeding the line back in, on the drivers side of the center tunnel, you will feel a guide that the fuel line has to fit in (keeps it away from the shifter linkage) - you pull the fuel line through and guide it into that guide - repeat at the rear of the center tunnel.

AFJuvat

[Guy Chiattello]

AFJuvat,

Thanks so much for the step by step directions. I will order the lines and go at it.

Guy

[john hejmanowsk]

Guy,

FWIW, I just replaced both lines in my 77. I used a vice grip with tape on the jaws to clamp the fuel line at the tank - didn't have to remove the tank or drain it. Also, I taped a 3/8 plastic hose to the end of the fuel line, then pulled the fuel line out the front, and then used the 3/8 plastic hose to pull back the new fuel line. I didn't have to remove the shifter.

Good luck. It's pretty easy to do, just takes some time.

John H.

[Guy Chiattello]

John,

That sounds like a great idea! If I don't have to remove seats and shifter and all that, sure would make it easier.

guy

[Guy Chiattello]

I just recieved fuel pressure lines from our host and I am confused. These are to replace the lines in the tunnel and the one shown in the Pelican catalog is straight. The one I received has a number of bends. Frankly, I don't see how it would fit in the tunnel. The part # is the one listed in the catalog and I spoke with someone at PP and they assured me that this is the right part.

Just got a digital camera and will attempt to post a picture.

john hejmanowsk or AFJuvat

Guy Chiatello
82SC Black Coupe

[rattlsnak]

Uh, nope, that aint right..

[AFJuvat]

No, that does not look like the correct fuel line.

AFJuvat

[AFJuvat]

Here is a pictuer of the fuel system\lines.

The pressure line is part number 33 - 911.356.066.08

the return line is part 38 - 911.356.062.08

AFJuvat

EDIT: Guy, your PM Mailbox is full.

[David]

Here's my take on it: Replacing pressurized fuel line from pump on 78 SC?

[john hejmanowsk]

Guy, you have the wrong part. The steel line you show goes in the engine compartment (there are actually two, one the pressure line, one the return line). The tunnel has two lines. Each one is a hard plastic connecting to the steel line(s) with a flexible hose end at the fuel tank / fuel pump.

You need part 33 and 38 in AFJuvat's diagram.

John H

[Guy Chiattello]

Thanks everyone. This has been extremely helpful. I will send what I have back and get the right lines.

I also learned how to empty my mail box. Thanks AFJuvat!