NEWLY MADE FUEL LINE - opinions needed

[MMMickey]

Hi guys!

I had a specialist redo my fuel lines just this afternoon. Before I install them onto my 3.2 Carrera, I'd like to see if any of you might spot some NO-NO's in my part. Please be as brutal as possible.

Thanks!

Mike S.

Manila, Philippines

[ruwoodbury]

Just as a cautionary tale, I had a shop make fuel lines for my 3.2 to save money ($140 locally vs. $500+ OEM) and it turned into a disaster. After having them installed they immediately began leaking at the brazed joints. I had my car towed in. After my mechanic removed the lines, I took them back to the shop were they re-brazed the fittings then pressure tested the joints (why didn't he do that the first time?). A second fitting of the lines lasted about 20 miles before leaking--again at the brazed joints. A second tow to my mechanic and I was done with non OEM fuel lines. After ordering fuel lines from our host (not the single return line at the front) and having them installed for the third time my initial great deal had turned into more than double what it would have cost had I just gone OEM in the first place.
After two episodes with leaking fuel in my 911 my wife insisted I carry a fire extinguisher at all times!

[MMMickey]

Thank you, ruwoodbudy! A fire extinguisher is cheap insurance.

May I ask why there was a need for brazing? My guy was able to reuse all of the old hardware sans the rubber hoses and crimps.

[ruwoodbury]

My understanding was that he couldn't re-crimp the hose and had to braze that fitting to the hard lines. Your fittings look good to me. I'm certain someone here has far more knowledge of this than I do.

[Targa Me]

Are the rubber hoses for fuel injection, specifically?
Also for current fuel used, the FI hoses have a specially inner lining.
If they are not for FI, the hose can burst or corrode prematurely without the lining.

I once replaced my FI hoses and had them crimped and pressure tested. Less than 5,000 miles later two of the crimped areas began to leak. I caught it in time via regular inspection.

Since then I have just been using FI injected rated hose clamps and 70,000 miles later still no problems.

[Tippy]

Those crimps look to be a little deeper than usual but no telling if it'll compromise the hose or not.

[Joe Bob]

If there is a way to bench pressurize with some type of fluid close to gas.....

[MMMickey]

[MMMickey]

Targa Me: I wouldn't be able to tell whether or not my fabricator used the correct hose for the job. Zero knowledge there. For what it's worth, he's been in business for a long time. Hotrodders have nothing but praises for the old man.

Joe Bob: Any ideas how? By vacumm, maybe? Can probably have an airconditioning guy check it out.

[Jcslocum]

They look good to me. The crimp is in the proper position; not to far up collar to pinch the hose. There is a thread that shows what a bad crimp looks like when the full collar is crimped.minthink they look nice.

[motogman]

Having done this repair recently my opinion is that pretty much all of the available sources are way over priced. My 3.2 is in a DE car so I was not looking for authentic original. It is easy to cut the crimps off the hoses and put new FI rated hose on with clamps. Total cost about $10 and easier to install and inspect.

[Smoove1010]

Originally Posted by MMMickey

Targa Me: I wouldn't be able to tell whether or not my fabricator used the correct hose for the job.

Isn't there anything stamped on the fuel line itself? If it says J30R9 the hose is good for gasoline injection according to what I can find searching fuel-hose sites.

I can't speak to the crimps - they look OK, though a little different than anything I've seen. Regardless, I'd be sure that they've been pressure tested, and I'd inspect them regularly.

Good luck...
GK

[Targa Me]

^^^^^
What he said.

[BoxsterGT]

If you show us more of the markings on the hose we can tell you if this is the latest Ethanol resistant hose or not.

Re: the crimps, I agree with Tippy. They appear to be a bit too deep. OK for the short term, but best to keep an eye on them for the long term.

Len

[sp_cs]

If you show us more of the markings on the hose we can tell you if this is the latest Ethanol resistant hose or not.

QQ for you Len

I too may need to replace my fuel lines - is it fair to assume new genuine lines from Porsche would not be ethanol resistant? Or has the composition of the materials changed recently?

Thanks

[michael lang]

Thank you for putting this up as I will be renewing my car's fuel lines very soon while the drivetrain is out.

[BoxsterGT]

sp_cs -

I really do not know. Don't want to assume anything.

Perhaps if someone can post photos of their new Porsche hoses we can tell by the markings.

Len

[burgermeister]

What motogman said.

Your hoses & crimps look fine to me.