9 replies to this topic

[FLD]

Quick Q for those that switched from the plastic lines to the posh braided ones....

Is there a lifetime on the hose, ie does it degrade with time or fuel exposure?  Obviously the plastic ones are great for longevity but it does worry me with their current routing so I'm considering options.  Having replaced my brake servo hose a few years ago I'm about to do it again due to cracking.  CBA swapping fuel hoses every couple of years!

[Tony H]

Problem with the braided ones you can't see if the pipe is perishing inside.

[NickB787]

I had a braided line fail on me, noticed the smell of fuel, I went back to plastic

[jim61]

Over sleeve with stainless braid plus a bit of re - routing away from pulley ticked the box for me 😆 ( not just bling bling )

[TheHood]

I use PTFE braided on the return line to the tank as inspection is not easy for that one. 

[FLD]

 a bit of re - routing away from pulley ticked the box for me  

 

This is what I'm after, I just don't want to be replacing them all the time.  Is there a long-lofe / petrol resistant hose available?

[jim61]

I did'nt like the idea of altering the oem fuel line ends ( the push fit nylon bit ) so i shortened the stainless feed & return pipes to about half way across the cam cover- remade the ends and made a new retainer bracket ( binned the original chunky steel thing ) with the connections closer to the inlet side you have enough slack in the plastic pipes to avoid the pulley area👍 also put a guard around pulley for belt 'n braces effect 😆

[Arno]

Is there a lifetime on the hose, ie does it degrade with time or fuel exposure?

 

Yes. The often-used rubber ones with a braid will fail over a number of years as they harden and crack. They also always allow some fuel to out-gas which is why these tend to always have a faint petrol smell around them (and why in most race classes you're not allowed to run rubber fuel lines through the cabin).

 

Using plain (un-braided) rubber fuel hose from your local motor factor is really more useful in this case as it's dirt-cheap and you can visually check for deterioration.

 

However, its not a question of 'if' but 'when' they will leak on these..

 

PTFE hoses are pretty much inert in his respect and will be more like the OEM plastic ones lifespan-wise. It does not smell of petrol and pretty much won't degrade under contact with fuel. Plain smooth bore PTFE hoses (braided or not) are quite a bit stiffer than the rubber ones though and can't handle tight bend radii so can be harder to install.

 

Corrugated PTFE hose with a smooth inner lining is the best (eg. Goodridge G-line XF series), but expensive. The kevlar outer-braided ones ( XF 910 series) are the most OEM looking and don't have the 'sawing' effect like stainless braided hoses do.

 

 

Bye, Arno.

[FLD]

Thanks arno, I don't mind paying a bit more, I just want something that works properly.

[Arno]

Only drawback (possibly) is that the PTFE lines (both the traditional braided smooth-bore and the new Goodridge XF stuff) needs the correct fittings installed on the end (-AN/JIC ones usually.. 6AN for fuel lines)

 

Attaching the fittings on the end is a completely DIY'able process (and IMHO much easier than the ends on the rubber braided hoses!), but it does mean these PTFE  hoses can't be used to attach to push-on style connections with hose-clamps like with common rubber fuel hose is often used: the hoses are simply too rigid to 'form' over such a push-on connection.

 

You also need the right adapters/fittings to connect the -AN/JIC ends on these hoses to the various other parts on the engine and car.

 

Aka. the fuel rail adapters for the Z22 and the quick-release-to-JIC adapters sold by (amongst others)Torques on Ebay for connecting to the fuel pump and alike.

 

Makes for a very neat and tidy install (esp. when done with black or silver/ali adapters and connectors) that lasts a long time but all the connectors and adapters do quickly add up in cost!

 

Bye, Arno.