Carerra Fuel Line

mhoffman · 01-03-2008, 07:14 PM

I recently bought my 88 Carerra and one of the specific items I wanted inspected during the PPI was the dastardly fuel line that runs from the fuel filter to the two fuel rails. The fuel line assembly (for lack of a better term) is prone to leak and the OEM replacement is a a couple of hundred bucks. Sure enough, during the PPI the inspecting mechanic said there was a leak and recommended replacement. (Leaking pressurized fuel line over exhaust manifold can lead to bad problems as a 914 I used to have can attest...) Anyhow, the mechanic recommended having a local hose shop repair the assembly by replacing all the rubber hose adn swedging brass fittings to original fittings, keeping same basic assembly but with new hose and reinforced connectors.

Two months and less than a 1000 miles later, I noticed a fuel smell when checking the oil after filling with gas (per the owners manual!). I felt around the fuel lines (car was running) and when I moved the new rubber hose, I was sprayed...

So, to fix the problem (correctly I hope this time) I searched the forum and found several folks who had their lines rebuilt using braided stainless lines. One place that was specifically mentioned in my area (Thanks Jeremy!) was Amazon Hose in Tampa. I dropped my leaking assembly off there this morning at 8:30, told them I wanted the whole thing re-made with stainless braided lines and to use the old connectors (metric) to ensure everything fits properly to the existing fittings. I told them to go ahead and replace the hard tubing line with a flexible line as well, just to make installation and (God forbid) future removal easier.

They called me at 2 this afternoon and said I could pick up the new assembly whenever I like. Total bill: $86. Phew! First financial bullet I ahve dodged since I bought the car!

I asked them if other customers could do the same thing by mail and they said they do mail order repairs all of the time, and further added that they could request and alterations or customizations and they could accomodate them. They also said that if a specific build did not fit for whatever reason they would make it right. Customer service seems to be making a comeback!

The line they used is stainless braided, teflon lined and rated for #3000 psi, fuel and oil. Pictures below.

I just wanted to pass along what I thought was a success story in making the car safer and hopefully more reliable without killing my bank account...

Matt

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Great Matt - glad it worked out for you. They do good work at Amazon.

charleskieffner · 01-04-2008, 02:39 AM

subscribed............i want juan!

Dadofour · Dadofour's Garage

Subscribed.

Can you post contact info for Amazon?

Thanks!

Gator · 03:12 AM

I used them for all our high pressure hoses when I was in the elevator trade . I just used them a few weeks ago to make up some a/c lines for my added condenser on my Carrera. NEVER had a problem with them. I'm glad they are local.

You can find them on the web at amazon .com.

tsiegwart · 01-04-2008, 03:41 AM

Very cool.

If they do a mail order repair, can they supply the metric fittings? Or would you need to send yours to them?

PcarPhil · 01-04-2008, 04:07 AM

I'm also interested in this.

I wish an aftermarket vendor would step up and make a complete Carrera fuel line assembly like the one in the pic!

squelch · 01-04-2008, 05:58 AM

Great thread. Thanks.

Quote:

find them on the web at amazon .com.

amazon.com is a large book company

The website we want appears to be: www.amazonhose.com

dj393 · 01-04-2008, 06:02 AM

I had the same problem about a year ago. Went to my local NAPA autoparts store and found that they can make high pressure hoses and fittings. The dreaded carrera fuel line issue cost me a whopping 5 bucks!!

Barrpete · 01-04-2008, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaefer

I'm also interested in this.

I wish an aftermarket vendor would step up and make a complete Carrera fuel line assembly like the one in the pic!

I have a guy who makes all sorts of industrial hydraulic lines/fittings for our machine shop who could easily make these. If anyone has an old one laying around to use as a template or knows the dimension and fitting sizes I could a get a price quote. Certainly would be less than the OEM at $368.

charleskieffner · 01-04-2008, 06:24 AM

i'll take (1) ! 87 3.2 cab. e-me if you do these. complete........plug and play.

mhoffman · 01-04-2008, 08:07 AM

The guy at amazon said he could make anything or get anything as far as fittings (I questioned re-using the old ones and metric is no real common) he said he could have it done by the afternoon is he used mine. Figure it may take longer by having the machine or order new ones to match, so sending them your old one is the easiest route I would think. I also wanted to get rid of the hard tubing since that is what causes it to be such a pita to get out of the car with the engine installed and intake manifold in place. He said he could go either way- keep hard tubine as the orinal design or replace all of it with flexible stainless. For under a $100 flexible made a whole lot more sense to me.

He did say he had no problem doing mail order- does it all the time for car and boats in the islands...

Matt

Barrpete · 01-04-2008, 09:36 AM

Matt,

Can he make them up based on the one he did for you? It would be nice to be able to just order one so the removal/install could be done all at once.

Wil Ferch · 01-04-2008, 11:03 AM

+1 on Matt'a idea....

PcarPhil · 01-04-2008, 03:35 PM

I may have to give them a call.

I'm dropping a 3.2 tomorrow and if they could make up a fuel line and get it back to me in a few days - all for $100 - I should do this while the engine is out of the car.

Matt - is there a certain person at Amazon I should ask to speak with?

Thanks for the help.

mhoffman · 01-04-2008, 06:41 PM

Barrpete-
I think the easiest method is to send them your old one and tell them what configuration you want and let them re-use the end fittings. They'll turn it around same day. Pull the line in the afternoon, mail that evening, spend the next two days cleaning the engine bay and changing the fuel filter, oil, sound pad, install the Magnecore wires that have been in the living room for a month, and when your new line arrives put it in and go!

Kaefer-
the guy at the sales counter (Andrew?) was the first to help me and when I asked them if they would do others by mail, I was referred back to him- it is a small operation- less than a dozen people to my thinking. All that being said, I think if you call and tell them what you want, you'll get the right person.

And they are open Saturday, 8-12...

Best-

onboost · 01-09-2008, 05:34 AM

Great post.. and the timing couldnt be better! I was just eye-ball'n the fuel lines on my Turbo and considering this very solution!

Will post when done!.

P-

01sport · 01-09-2008, 07:16 AM

Matt
I need one of theses assemblies as well. How difficult is it to remove the old lines without dropping the engine? 87 3.2
Jeff

mhoffman · 01-09-2008, 10:07 AM

I had a time trying to wrestle the part out with everything in tact; I ended up unbolting the intake manifold (not too hard) in order to get the hose out. I wanted to replace my spark plugs and wires anyhow, so that just made it easier. Maybe an hour or two?

Matt

01sport · 01-09-2008, 07:34 PM

Matt,
I am considering cutting the old lines out then mailing the pieces with a picture of your assembly to Amazon hose. What do you think?
Jeff