82sc fuel line leak

71scgc · 09-19-2014, 05:21 AM

Greetings, and yes I did search first!!

I have an '82sc that has developed a fuel line leak. The leaker is the pressured line coming from the fuel pump, the one with the banjo fitting. It's leaking between the banjo and where the line enters the tunnel. The line is crimped at both ends.

The question is: Does a leak here mean replacing the line all the way back to the engine compartment, or is there a way to "rig-ola" a repair on the section of line exposed between the pump and tunnel?

I looked at our host's catalog, and saw no replacement. I need to get the car inspected ASAP for registration. It's not a gushing leak, but does drip.

Any way to temp it fixed. I'm thinking no, but perhaps someone here has done it.

Thanks!!

Carter

targa80 · targa80's Garage

I had a leak from the fuel pump banjo to the hardline going thru the tunnel. to do the job properly you will need to pull the hose line from the tunnel and replace. The connection at the rear of the car is hard to get at with the engine in. In my case I read all of the threads on this issue and some suggested the only correct fix is the full replacement. The K-Jetronics in my 80SC runs at 70 PSI. I opted to cut the crimped metal ends with a hacksaw blade on the banjo fitting and on the fitting at the end going into the tunnel (be very careful not to cut into the banjo fitting metal or the other male end). Both ends have the groved rings that hold the hose on once equal pressure is placed on the hose. I purchased about 2' of ~ 380 PSI high pressure 5/16" fuel hose from a local hydraulic line shop and two high quality clamps. The banjo and the other male end fitted onto the hose and clamped down tight enough so there was no leaking. This saved me a long and arduous task of removing everything including the engine to replace the whole line from the pump to the end of the rear tunnel.

Now for my disclaimer:

The only real sure fired way to repair this leak is with a full replacement of the failed hose due to the 70 lbs. of pressure exerted on the line. With that said, I rely on my repair skills and have decided that the fix I have done works for me and if at some point in the future it leaks then I will have to go with the full replacement. Also, it can be said and probably will be said that I am playing with a dangerous area that could leak and catch fire. I can only say that in your case it could have eventually failed leaked lots of gas and potentially caught fire also if you did not notice the initial leak. Since this repair is at the pump end that if it leaks heavy enough I will lose pressure and the engine will stall due to the lack of fuel.

Cooper911SC · 09-19-2014, 07:03 AM

Len, BoxsterGT on Pelican can help you. :-)

Cooper

71scgc · 09-19-2014, 01:24 PM

Thanks for posting, both of y'all!!

Pat, thanks for the description of your temp fix. I'm gonna be a while before I'm ready to drop engine on this. Good to know someone was able to rig-ola this successfully. I am fully aware of the failure potential here, and realize it's a repair that has to be watched/checked. I had a fuel line go south on my Corvette. Hard line from tank to fuel pump. No way to replace without pulling the body. I pulled 3/8" and 1/4' rubber line from tank to pump, zip-tied it to the frame. Purists howled!! It worked plenty fine until I did the body-off and replaced the hard lines with SS. My worry here was that on the sc, it is the pressured line.

Cooper, thanks for the info. That's where I was planning to go for the permanent fix.

Carter

P.S. Did y'all know that this forum has the most awesomeashell members??

BoxsterGT · 10-22-2014, 12:31 PM

Here's what I have for a "temporary" fix............

Best when used with the factory type "Norma" clamps.....

For info, please email me.

Len at Autosportengineering dot com