Fuel Lines! Help!

cshogen · 09-06-2002, 08:32 PM

OK if there is one thing I have had an aversion it's messing with my fuel lines, which I need to do this weekend. Maybe it was that very close call in high school involving me and a few gallons of Hi-Test that spilled out of a fuel line I was checking in a VW Fastback (it literally showered me with gas). Ya think?

Anyway, here's my problem. I removed my battery tray and triangle last weekend because it was time to replace them, and I also discovered a tiny spot at the bottom of the "hell hole" that was very pitted so I need to weld a new piece there too.

Those 2 things being so close to the fuel lines, I obviously should temporarily remove the lines from the area to avoid an inferno, and the rubber lines in the engine bay are very scaly and cracked as well and should be replaced anyway.

Trouble is, the tank is about half-full so I really don't want to drain it (I know, poor planning), and I'm just nervous about what will happen when I separate the line just above where the battery tray was so I can feed it out the bottom and get it out of the way. What can I expect? I would put a bolt in the end of the line to cap it off and clamp the bolt with an O-clamp too, I just want to avoid a lot of excess spillage when it is disconnected.

Any shortcuts, safety tips, best practices, etc would be very greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

cary · 09-07-2002, 05:02 AM

I'd go down to the fuel filter area. Go to NAPA and buy 2 pairs of hose clamp pliers. Find the rubber sections by the filter and pinch them off.

I got showered changing the fuel pump on my Carrera. Never again. I thought my heart was going to stop. Because I couldn't breath.

If you had more time. Snap-On would be the way to go. Smaller. Fit up in around the filter. About the same price. $18 each.

Good luck.

Barber Dave · Barber Dave's Garage

Hay Guy; PLEASE DON'T TAKE ANY UNNESSARY CHANCES,DRAIN THE GAS TANK!!!!!!!!! HOW MUCH MONEY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN AT TWEEKS FUN FEST OR MY SHOW NEXT YEAR. THINK ABOUT IT DAVE

cshogen · 09-08-2002, 06:42 AM

Thanks very much for your concern Dave. I actually got the lines out OK and moved them far from the welding area. It was one of those anti-climactic moments when I had several clamps, bolt sizes, drip trays, gas cans, and even a fire extinguisher, and I pulled the line off and ......... NOTHING CAME OUT !!!!! Seems it had been sitting long enough for the gas to settle a bit.

Usually the opposite happens to me, I say, "I think I am going to pop this line out real quick.." An hour later my wife finds me in the garage sweating with 2 frayed gas lines in my hands not able to move at all for fear of a "gas gusher" like Danny Glover on the toilet in Lethal Weapon.

Today we weld!

Have a good one everyone,