diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

BX Tech talk
bx_pallas
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2013 3:37 pm

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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...
User avatar
nige
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 88
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:43 pm
Location: Inverness Scotland
x 2

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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 :)
all i want for christmas is a dukla prague away kit

The fleet:
1992 Citroen BX 19TXD
1972 VW Camper
1969 Triumph Spitfire MKIII
1984 Kawasaki Z750
2002 Ibiza Seat
axbx
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 39
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:05 pm
Location: Norway

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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 =D> 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?
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
axbx
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 39
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:05 pm
Location: Norway

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by axbx »

Thank you mr
User avatar
nige
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 88
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:43 pm
Location: Inverness Scotland
x 2

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by nige »

i used the domestic plumbing pipes - well chuffed :)
all i want for christmas is a dukla prague away kit

The fleet:
1992 Citroen BX 19TXD
1972 VW Camper
1969 Triumph Spitfire MKIII
1984 Kawasaki Z750
2002 Ibiza Seat
Stephen C
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 6:52 pm
Location: Corsham, Wiltshire

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by Stephen C »

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

Stephen
MK1 1.9 DTR.............X6
2cv Van....................Napoleon

Honda FRV................Mr H
Honda CRV MK1.........bubble's
Honda Lawn Mower

BMW R100R...............When I grow up I want to be a [Honda]
User avatar
citsncycles
Over 2k
Posts: 3224
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
User avatar
electrokid
1K Away
Posts: 1764
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 2:14 pm
Location: Woking

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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.
1992 BX19 TGD estate 228K Rusty - SORNed
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
KevR
1K Away
Posts: 1767
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 8:46 pm
Location: Normandy
My Cars: It's all in my signature
x 4

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by KevR »

Yes, ethanol can attack copper....
1990 BX TZD Estate ('the grey one', 1991 BX TZD Estate ('the white one'), 1982 2CV6 Charleston (in bits), 1972 AZU Serie B (2CV van), 1974 HY72 Camper, 1990 Land Rover 110 diesel LWB, 1957 Mobylette AV76, 1992 Ducati 400SS, 1966 VW Beetle, 1990 Mazda MX-5, 1996 Peugeot 106D, 1974 JCB 2D MkII, 1997 BMW R1100RS, 1987 Suzuki GSX-R1100, 1978 Honda CX500A, 1965 Motobecane Cady, 1988 Honda Bros/Africa Twin, 1963 Massey Ferguson 825, and a lot of bicycles!
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by MULLEY »

How come veg attacks copper? is it the acidity?
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
User avatar
electrokid
1K Away
Posts: 1764
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 2:14 pm
Location: Woking

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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.
1992 BX19 TGD estate 228K Rusty - SORNed
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
Defender110
Over 2k
Posts: 5917
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Harwood, Bolton
My Cars: Land Rover Discovery Series 1 200tdi 3 door
Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5
2020 Fiat Panda cross 4x4 twin air.
x 27

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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;
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
KevR
1K Away
Posts: 1767
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 8:46 pm
Location: Normandy
My Cars: It's all in my signature
x 4

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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%...).
1990 BX TZD Estate ('the grey one', 1991 BX TZD Estate ('the white one'), 1982 2CV6 Charleston (in bits), 1972 AZU Serie B (2CV van), 1974 HY72 Camper, 1990 Land Rover 110 diesel LWB, 1957 Mobylette AV76, 1992 Ducati 400SS, 1966 VW Beetle, 1990 Mazda MX-5, 1996 Peugeot 106D, 1974 JCB 2D MkII, 1997 BMW R1100RS, 1987 Suzuki GSX-R1100, 1978 Honda CX500A, 1965 Motobecane Cady, 1988 Honda Bros/Africa Twin, 1963 Massey Ferguson 825, and a lot of bicycles!
Defender110
Over 2k
Posts: 5917
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Harwood, Bolton
My Cars: Land Rover Discovery Series 1 200tdi 3 door
Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5
2020 Fiat Panda cross 4x4 twin air.
x 27

Re: diesel leak corroded fuel pipe

Post by 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.
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
Post Reply