diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

[nige]

So a few years a go my fuel pipe corroded in the middle - i chopped it out and replaced with fuel hose. Now the inevitable has happened its corroded futher back pass the 90 degree bend and up high near to the fuel tank. Is it possible to replace the metal pipe? is it clipped into the fuel tank - i cant see - is it a nightmare of a job?? - advice as always gratefully received - thanks

[Defender110]

No the main fuel pipes aren't clipped to the fuel tank they just enter flexible fuel hoses at each end, just pushed in. I replaced my main steel pipes with a piece of nylon air pipe/fuel tubing as used in more modern cars which perfectly replaces the steel pipes and will never rust or rot. When you replace them if you have the auxillary tank set up this needs to be empty before you pull the pipe out or the contents will gravity feed out everywhere.

[mat_fenwick]

Or (as KevR will probably mention!) you can use copper plumbing pipe - 8 mm and 10 mm. I had some left over from installing central heating so it was a no brainer, but if you had to buy a 25 m reel of each it'd be cheaper to buy the pre-formed steel pipes.

[nige]

nice one guys thanks - could you tell me how you remove the metal pipe from the flexible end at the fuel tank end - thanks

[mat_fenwick]

Pop the rear seat base up, unscrew the cover over the tank connections, undo the rubber pipes. Then tie string/wire to them which lets you pull them through from below to fit the replacement rigid pipes. Otherwise you're fumbling around up the edge of the tank trying to join the two together!

[Mothman]

I too would be interested in how to do this without the use of a Stanleyknife.

Andy

[mat_fenwick]

I haven't had to cut off the rubber pipes yet - once the clips are undone just twist and pull (maybe with pliers) to loosen the grip on the metal pipe or stub on the tank.

[nige]

Mat - sorry what do you mean by unscrew the cover over the tank connections?? If opo the rear seat up i can see the fuel gauge float thing do you mean here?? - thanks

[mat_fenwick]

Sorry - I didn't actually mean unscrew! The cover over the fuel gauge sender/tank connections just pops off. Then remove the hoses from the stubs on the tank (the clips may be nasty one use only types if the job has never been done before) to give yourself a bit of slack for attaching the metal pipes to their lower ends.

[citronut]

(the clips may be nasty one use only types

these clips are ok just use side cutters to unlock them and similar to re/lock them,

there is a thread that goes into depth on types of tools to use on these and leg pipe clips,

modified carpenters pncers or side cutters in more confined space's,

i usual also tie/tape soft wire to the tank ends of the feed and return rubber pipes, this way once these pipes are disconnected from the sender unit you can pull them down and out from up between the tank and sill to gain better access

regards malcolm

[mat_fenwick]

I was meaning these type of clips:



but it was several years ago that I saw them so I'm wondering if I was mistaken. Certainly the more recent ones I've done have either had jubilee clips or the clips below you mentioned.

[Way2go]

but it was several years ago that I saw them so I'm wondering if I was mistaken. Certainly the more recent ones I've done have either had jubilee clips or the clips you mentioned.

No you weren't mistaken, I had to cut those off the engine end of the pipes when I replaced the rubber pipes.

TBH I don't think jubilee clips are right for the job as it takes a few re-tightens in settlement before it seals properly. This is particularly so on the small bore jubilee clips as the screw saddle doesn't allow for complete circularity.
Maybe seen to be worse on the GTi on fitting to the rail as it is under pressure. I had a similar problem where it fits the metal fuel pipe too. (Note to self: must get new clips to go with new pipes waiting to be fitted! )

[citronut]

yes Mat i know the disposable type you mean, but i dont remember seeing them at the tank end of the fuel lines,

like you i might/could be mistaken or its another senior moment (bus pass moment )


regards malcolm

[MULLEY]

From memory there were some orrible clip things of some description that i had to remove & i replaced them with some jubillee clips instead, no problems since & can easily get them undone etc...

[mat_fenwick]

This is particularly so on the small bore jubilee clips as the screw saddle doesn't allow for complete circularity.

For fuel pipes I use these for that reason:



Although having said that, the ones with jubilee clips weren't leaking. They could potentially be a source of air leaks getting into the fuel of diesel vehicles though.