3.2 fuel lines look new....replace or keep?

[john baldwin]

Dropped the engine to address leaks, valve adjust, RW bearings and replace fuel lines (the threads have me paranoid) .

Upon close inspection though, all the fuel lines all appear sound. The hose material looks more like a fabric (except the "J-hose") than the plain rubber I've seen on pictures on this board. No evidence of cracking at either the fittings or along the hoses themselves.

No evidence that any of the PO's had replaced these; could these
have been upgraded from the plain rubber to this "fabric" type at some point by the factory?

If there are no leaks when pressure testing am I good to go with these?

Appreciate any feedback...am on the fence on this one. While I understand this R&R isn't one you want to wait and see how it plays out (fire), I don't see the point if replacing perfectly good parts.

THANKS ALL!

[BoxsterGT]

I have found some hose looked great on the outside, but was stiff & actually cracked when flexed.

If you move each section back & forth and hear cracks it is bad internally. If easily flexed you are good to go for another few years.

Just my opinion, no guarantees on this one.

Len

[911dean]

No time like the present to just get it done. It's something that I will do on mine this winter if nothing for just the piece of mind.

[Storage Man]

Definitely Replace them.

[dtxscott]

The 18/88 is a date code on the fuel lines for Calendar Week 18, Calendar 1988. Those hoses are exactly 25 years and 5 weeks old.

When I did an engine drop for a clutch a few years ago, I changed all the fuel hoses on the engine. Not worth risking it especially with ethanol becoming more prevalent. It is murder on rubber lines.

[Quicksilver]

When I took my intake off to replace gaskets I decided that "while I was there" I would replace the hoses even though they looked great and weren't a problem. (or so I thought)

When I had the lines out I discovered I could hold the end and they would spin around freely like the crimp connector was a bearing.

Went straight to my favorite hydraulic hose vendor and had them build a new set using teflon lined stainless braid hose with an outer sheath (to prevent the abrasive stainless from chewing up anything that touched it.) Guy at the counter looked past the guy in front of me and said, "Porsche 911. Put it in this box." It is that common a problem...
The one hose that can't be done with something impervious like teflon is the little 135° hose. That one had to be made from rubber. I think a nice project would be to make one where the bend is of metal tubing so it can use good hose.

Another rubber hose that is forgotten is the one up front at the fuel pump.

[acapella8]

Originally Posted by BoxsterGT

I have found some hose looked great on the outside, but was stiff & actually cracked when flexed.

If you move each section back & forth and hear cracks it is bad internally. If easily flexed you are good to go for another few years.

Just my opinion, no guarantees on this one.

Len

Hi Len - (not attempting to hijack thread at all) But I am trying to contact you regarding replacement fuel lines for my 78SC. Hoping you got my email sent to your verizon from (tomkentish @ gm*il.com) and I sent one to your autosportengineering address too.

Hope to hear from you soon - and thanks!

Tom

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by dtxscott

The 18/88 is a date code on the fuel lines for Calendar Week 18, Calendar 1988. Those hoses are exactly 25 years and 5 weeks old.

When I did an engine drop for a clutch a few years ago, I changed all the fuel hoses on the engine. Not worth risking it especially with ethanol becoming more prevalent. It is murder on rubber lines.

I was just going to say the same thing. Change the fuel lines. I also changed my fuel lines when I replaced the clutch.

You might consider: changing the flexible brake lines, and mayyyybe the banana arm bushings. You don't have to drop the motor to replace the wheel bearings. I also replaced my engine sound pad, oil pressure switch, and fuel pressure regulator when my motor was out.

[dshepp806]

Same here. She came down for a clutch and was rewarded with ALL new fuel lines (yeap,..the stamp date found on the hoses were the year my car was produced----1989), as well as a host of other prizes, as well!

+22 years of service and they look just fine from the outside,..however, they are not like fine wine. Remove and replace,...no brainer. Plan to send my removed lines to Len for rework so that I have a nice (ready) spare sitting in the "spares bin".

I'd have a good look at all lines/all types while she's down.

BEST!

Doyle

[CountD]

You can never tell the actual condition of a line by its outside appearance.

Saying that, replace them all. Do it now - at 1/4 century old - they need to be done. It's just not worth it.

[john baldwin]

...I'd get this kind of advice.

I guess I just expected to see worse external conditions. I also was hoping for a break ($) as I continually uncover (literally) more and more items needing addressing on an utterly filthy power-train that was running very strong.

Tranny's off, ready to inspect clutch, starter's out for a refresh (new solenoid), rebuilding the slave, shift/ fork got the factory upgrade by a PO (bushings w/ needle bearings)...have them out for cleaning/ fresh grease, Intake's fully disassembled...everything is bagged and labelled but YIKES!!!...will I ever get it back together???

I've really got a bad case of "while you're in there!"

Appreciate all your support and feedback. I'll let you know if the hoses "crack and spin"

j

[rusnak]

Try Kirk at Zims in Tejas for the fuel lines.

[steely]

do it John and you'll sleep better.

might be a bad idea, but bend one rubber section gently and you'll see the cracks I bet.