[DeTomaso] fuel line story

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/26/15 12:27:49 PM, hoppe1 at cox.net writes:


> no warning-  no minor leak-  complete braided stainless steel line 
> failure- maybe 1000 miles but probably 7 years old.
> 
> If they are 4 or 5 years old change them!
> 

>>>A couple of thoughts:

You say it was a 'braided stainless steel line failure', but the braided 
stainless steel isn't what failed--it's what's underneath it that failed.   

So, what was underneath it?

The stainless steel is simply a finish.   It's like paint, just there for 
bling.   Oh, sure, it has some protective qualities in that it will protect 
the line underneath from external injury, but that's it.   It doesn't do a 
thing to help keep the fuel inside the line.

Most of these hoses are simple rubber hoses with bling added on the 
outside, and thus they are no better or worse than conventional rubber hoses when 
it comes time to actually keeping the fuel inside.   You say you have fuel 
injection.   Do you have fuel injection HOSE?

Normally rubber fuel line is NOT suitable for use with fuel injection, 
which operates at much higher pressures.   When you go to the local auto parts 
store and buy rubber fuel hose, they sell it in both flavors.   The fuel 
injection fuel hose is necessarily quite a bit more expensive; it's noticeably 
stiffer and thicker for a given inside diameter.

So, what kind did you have underneath your steel braid?   If it was just 
conventional hose, it was bound to fail, and I'm surprised it lasted as long 
as it did.

If you had actual fuel injection hose, then I'm surprised it failed so 
quickly--it should have lasted far longer than that.   

Personally, I have NO use for rubber anywhere in my fuel system.   I have 
braided stainless steel TEFLON hose, which is substantially more expensive, 
but is completely immortal and never needs changing.   The complete setup, 
from tank through filter through mechanical pump to carburetor, cost over 
$400, and in retrospect, I should have followed the factory's lead and just used 
flexible line from the tank to the inlet of the pump, and use hard line 
from the pump outlet to just before the carb fuel feed, with a short length of 
hose joining the two.   That would have saved a bunch of money.

So anyway, you've fixed your car now--but is it truly fixed, or is it just 
waiting to blow apart again because your new fuel hose isn't up to the task?

Do tell...wouldn't want that thing to go up in flames!!!!

Mike
-------------- next part --------------
   In a message dated 9/26/15 12:27:49 PM, hoppe1 at cox.net writes:

     no warning-  no minor leak-  complete braided stainless steel line
     failure- maybe 1000 miles but probably 7 years old.
     If they are 4 or 5 years old change them!

   >>>A couple of thoughts:
   You say it was a 'braided stainless steel line failure', but the
   braided stainless steel isn't what failed--it's what's underneath it
   that failed.
   So, what was underneath it?
   The stainless steel is simply a finish.  It's like paint, just there
   for bling.  Oh, sure, it has some protective qualities in that it will
   protect the line underneath from external injury, but that's it.  It
   doesn't do a thing to help keep the fuel inside the line.
   Most of these hoses are simple rubber hoses with bling added on the
   outside, and thus they are no better or worse than conventional rubber
   hoses when it comes time to actually keeping the fuel inside.  You say
   you have fuel injection.  Do you have fuel injection HOSE?
   Normally rubber fuel line is NOT suitable for use with fuel injection,
   which operates at much higher pressures.  When you go to the local auto
   parts store and buy rubber fuel hose, they sell it in both flavors.
   The fuel injection fuel hose is necessarily quite a bit more expensive;
   it's noticeably stiffer and thicker for a given inside diameter.
   So, what kind did you have underneath your steel braid?  If it was just
   conventional hose, it was bound to fail, and I'm surprised it lasted as
   long as it did.
   If you had actual fuel injection hose, then I'm surprised it failed so
   quickly--it should have lasted far longer than that.
   Personally, I have NO use for rubber anywhere in my fuel system.  I
   have braided stainless steel TEFLON hose, which is substantially more
   expensive, but is completely immortal and never needs changing.  The
   complete setup, from tank through filter through mechanical pump to
   carburetor, cost over $400, and in retrospect, I should have followed
   the factory's lead and just used flexible line from the tank to the
   inlet of the pump, and use hard line from the pump outlet to just
   before the carb fuel feed, with a short length of hose joining the
   two.  That would have saved a bunch of money.
   So anyway, you've fixed your car now--but is it truly fixed, or is it
   just waiting to blow apart again because your new fuel hose isn't up to
   the task?
   Do tell...wouldn't want that thing to go up in flames!!!!
   Mike