diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

[bx_pallas]

You dont need to undo the rubber pipes from the tank. Cut the old fuel pipes near the upwards leg and use the remaining L-shape pipe as a kind of "door handle" to turn the piece inside the rubber hose, while holding the hose with a pipe wrench, preferably a fine adjustable one.
When installing the new pipes, again hold the rubber with the pipe wrench, and push the upwards showing piece into the rubber while swinging the whole pipe horizontally under and besides the car. (twist&push the pipe)
Ideally, you have 2 persons for this job, a wrench holder and a pipe swinger, but I managed to do it on my own (pain in the ass anyways!)

Before the whole action make sure the tank level is very low, and tilt the car to the left, so you dont empty the tank content via the open fuel lines...

[nige]

Guys - big big thanks for this, have done the repair all good. At the time i was completely pushed for time, had the local garage look at it he moaned about having to take the tank out and it wasn't going to be worth the expense - basically condemning the car to the crusher. So in the mean time bought a little Seat run around, a bit of time on my hands yesterday, raided my plumbing spares found some micro bore copper pipe - all fitted in about 30mins - chuffed to bits

[axbx]

I just did this operation with the copper pipes some days ago, and today I measured the dimensions on on the new and old pipes up against each other, and it turns out my new copper pipes are some MM less in inner diameter than the old steel pipes(2mm for the feeding pipe and 1mm less for the return pipe). I have had the engine running while the car is on stands in the garage since the swap, so I know it at least idles as it should but its still on stands and havent been tested on the road yet, so now I wonder if Ill have any problems because of the smaller pipes?

[mat_fenwick]

Doubtful. The pipe will be specified to have a margin of safety on even the most thirsty engine, so given that you have a diesel you will be drawing less fuel through. Remember that more fuel is pumped from the tank than is used by the engine anyway; the surplus just returned to the tank. If it was to be a problem, it would be at full throttle but you would have to empty the fuel filter first.

[axbx]

Thank you mr

[nige]

i used the domestic plumbing pipes - well chuffed

[Stephen C]

Using domestic copper pipe as a fuel line absolutely inspired thinking, I will use this idea when I rebuild Napoleon after the winter solstice.

Stephen

[citsncycles]

Using copper pipe for diesel fuel lines should be fine, but I have heard that the ethanol now being added to petrol may react with copper.

[electrokid]

Not heard that but definitely something to watch out for Mike. Those of you who have / will fit copper fuel pipes to a diesel - don't use veg oil - it doesn't like copper fuel lines.

Re pipe clamps - if all you have around are cable-ties make 2 turns around the pipe even if you have to put 2 or 3 in series - that overcomes the problem leak that can occur with a lack of circularity.

[KevR]

Yes, ethanol can attack copper....

[MULLEY]

How come veg attacks copper? is it the acidity?

[electrokid]

Good question Matthew. TBH I don't know: but when I was seriously looking into using veg oil many years ago "don't use copper fuel lines" was on practically every website dealing with the subject. In fact the idea of using waste veg oil was responsible for the purchase of my first BX since it's very suitable for that and the previous owner was very much into veg oil and was running it on 95% veg and 5% 4 star - and it ran very well. Unfortunately the guy was an idiot and used veg oil to top up the LHM tank as well - it works ok for a while then it rots the rubber seals.

[Defender110]

I use the nylon tubing to replace the fuel pipes, it is excellent, cheap, will never rot or contaminate and is available in the exact sizes to fit in the original clips. It has been used as fuel piping on trucks for years.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/METRIC-Flexib ... 20c2cb803f" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[KevR]

That looks like a good solution. I've bought fuel hose from that seller before, and also talked to them about potential problems with Ethanol for a magazine feature - they know their stuff, so it's worth asking them if this is suitable for modern fuel, as some nylons are attacked by Ethanol, unfortunately.... (ask Ducati, who are having nightmares with nylon tanks swelling and distorting with ethanol blends over 5%...).

[Defender110]

Yes I can only tell you that nylon are OEM for diesel pipes and now used by every manufacturer and I have personally used it for years on many occasions when building silent running film generator trucks. I have had no dealings with petrol use or this paticular supplier.