Fuel filter connection leak 1978 SC

[specialk22]

ok, just performed an easy job, replacement of fuel filter and accumulator.
The fuel supply line that connects to the fuel filter is leaking. Any idea how to solve this? Could it be a faulty filter?

[timmy2]

Where is it leaking?
Did you replace the copper or aluminium washers between the filter and the fittings that screw into the filter that the lines attach to? I put mine on in a vice with filter off of the car before attaching it to the lines in the car. Guduntight!

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Where is it leaking?
Did you replace the copper or aluminium washers between the filter and the fittings that screw into the filter that the lines attach to? I put mine on in a vice with filter off of the car before attaching it to the lines in the car. Guduntight!

Just a couple of weeks ago one of the adapters to my 79 SC engine compartment fuel flter leaked at the connection to the filter. I replaced the filter and changed over the brass adapters. One of the seal rings leaked. Bought new ones from Porsche, $1.26 a piece, and the leak was fixed.

[specialk22]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Where is it leaking?
Did you replace the copper or aluminium washers between the filter and the fittings that screw into the filter that the lines attach to? I put mine on in a vice with filter off of the car before attaching it to the lines in the car. Guduntight!

It is leaking at the connection between the fuel supply line fitting and the filter threads. I do not recall there being any washers or gaskets in the fitting.
I attached the filter to the accumulator on my vice as you did but the leak is from the factory line that comes from the pump. I will look for the washers from our host.
What about thread sealer?
Thanks

[specialk22]

Originally Posted by porwolf

Just a couple of weeks ago one of the adapters to my 79 SC engine compartment fuel flter leaked at the connection to the filter. I replaced the filter and changed over the brass adapters. One of the seal rings leaked. Bought new ones from Porsche, $1.26 a piece, and the leak was fixed.

Would you happen to know the part number for the seals? Thanks

[timmy2]

According to the PET on 201-05
900-123-140-30 (Bottom)
And
900-123-007-30 (Top)

Porsche 911 & Turbo CIS Fuel Injection - Page 2
Porsche 911 & Carrera Oil Circulation - Page 7

[porwolf]

Well, this is where I got the part numbers for my 79 SC:

PET 911_USA_78_83_KATALOG.pdf
Part number 15: 900 123 007 30
Part number 17: 900 123 116 30

[specialk22]

Originally Posted by specialk22

ok, just performed an easy job, replacement of fuel filter and accumulator.
The fuel supply line that connects to the fuel filter is leaking. Any idea how to solve this? Could it be a faulty filter?

Sorry everyone... I screwed up. It is leaking at the Connection of the supply line to the fuel accumulator not the fuel filter. The fitted line that comes from the fuel pump and connects to the accumulator is leaking. Sorry for the mistake. Thanks for your help.

[specialk22]

Originally Posted by porwolf

Well, this is where I got the part numbers for my 79 SC:

PET 911_USA_78_83_KATALOG.pdf
Part number 15: 900 123 007 30
Part number 17: 900 123 116 30

Part #2 in the diagram is where it is leaking where it connects to the accumulator.
Thanks porwolf!

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by specialk22

Part #2 in the diagram is where it is leaking where it connects to the accumulator.
Thanks porwolf!

So, there should not even be a washer. That seems to be similar to the connections of the fuel lines to the adapters on both ends of the fuel filter. Those are ball shaped press fits into spherical receivers. Some more carefull tightening with wrenches applied to both sides should do it.

[Jdub]

This is a very dangerous situation - you want this corrected asap! As I interpret your leak point, I agree with Porwolf - there is no washer at that point but instead a spherical fit. Pull it apart, clean any detris, and hand tighten to ensure you have it right. I have to go to my Whitworth wrench for one of the nuts, a MM on the other!

Label your filter with both date and mileage BTW. Annual swapouts are highly recommended with the waxy ethanol fuels and touchy CIS system.

[specialk22]

Yep, that's the one. I tightened it pretty good last night using two wrenches and making sure that the ball was positioned in the socket just right. It still leaked. Upon inspection I did notice that the ball has some very small pitting on one side. I am wondering if this is enough to make it leak. I hope I will not have to replace this fuel supply line. Also wondering if it would hurt to use a liquid thread sealant to stop the leak, being very careful not to introduce any of it into the fuel system
I will try again and let you know what happens.

Thanks for your assistance.

[porwolf]

Beautiful car, specialk, beautiful, color. And yes, I think the pitting could be the problem but I am no expert. For a replacement fuel connection you may want to contact BoxterGT. He chimes in on a lot of fuel line problems on Pelican and can make custom fittings and lines. Here is one of the theads with his postings:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/Porsche-911-technical-forum/650229-1988-small-fuel-line-replacement.html

Also, just in case, you might want to keep a fire extinguisher handy in the car, for the time being.

[timmy2]

Never use sealant on these types of fittings. If you want it tight, take 2 wrenches and line them up about 20 degrees apart so you can squeeze them together with one hand. It will be tight.

[specialk22]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Never use sealant on these types of fittings. If you want it tight, take 2 wrenches and line them up about 20 degrees apart so you can squeeze them together with one hand. It will be tight.

I did this timmy2. Strength is one of my biggest weaknesses and I am known for over tightening stuff and occasionally breaking or stripping threads so I try to be careful. Seems to me like it was leaking through the threads but I'm stumped.
I will give it a shot again.

Porwolf thanks for the info. I will check it out.
Thanks again Gentlemen for the support.

[timmy2]

Well, it is possible the fitting is deformed and no amount of tightening will fix it.
I usually scotch BRITE the mating surfaces to clean them up before tightening.
Does the female fitting look at all distorted?

[porwolf]

The only seal I could imagine is a custom made one. Like a flat pliable washer made out of solder tin or possibly out of a flat Teflon sheet that under tightening could flow into the small pits and seal the joint. It should not be to thick, maybe 10 or 20 Mils. In my former low temperature physics career we used the soft Indium wire to form O-rings that could withstand very low and quite some high temperatures as vacuum seals between metal surfaces.

[Darkmoon]

Look to be sure the hose isn't cracked and seeping. If the fuel line is original, it is old. Old stuff can crack, seep, weep, and otherwise not work after it is exercised, like when a fuel filter is changed. Or it could be a bad crush washer...

[specialk22]

Well it looks like I got this leak fixed. I tightened the heck out of it... so much that I stripped the fitting on top of the accumulator. But it is bone dry now. I am pretty sure that some minor pitting on the male fitting is the culprit. I used super fine sandpaper to clean both surfaces and still had to over tighten it to stop it from leaking. Will most likely have to replace the supply line next time around. Back on the road for now. Thank you all for your responses and you assistance!

[BoxsterGT]

specialk22-

FYI and possible future needs, I make up a replacement hose assy that combines Part #1 and #2 for the fuel feed as shown in the above diagram.

I also make a similar hose assy for the fuel return.

I use the correct Metric fittings and the latest Multi-fuel Hose from Germany.

Len at Autosportengineering dot com