Fuel Line repair?!

[zingZACH]

Ok... here is the story... my friend was welding in a patch on my floorboard in the SPG the other day, and well... he had some flames that melted the fuel line and set a fire.... we got the fire out quick and no damage done, except to the fuel lines...

Here's my problem, I dont have the money to replace the lines, so I was wondering if there is some way to put a patch hose in with some fittings...

compression fittings, flare fittings, plastic hose, rubber hose... what do i do? and can it be done.

Thanks in advance... also what are the specs of the fuel lines.... aka sizes

[cdaly]

Matthew did a fuel line repair and, IIRC, he was able to clamp a (suitable) hose over the existing plastic line and just use jubilee clips 'cos the plastic line is strong enough...

If it's only a short length that is damaged, an in-line compression fitting might be sufficient. You'd need one for plastics that has a metal 'core' that goes inside the pipe along with the compression 'olive' for the outside. OTOH, if it's a longer length that's damaged, you'll probably need a length of pipe... Any breakers near you for bits of fuel line?

[jetman]

As much as it might suck, if it were me (and I avoid work wherever possible), I'd be getting a used one from the wreckers and running it from front to rear. A patch on the fuel line would have me wondering the entire time if it were leaking back there under the seat.

[zingZACH]

Originally Posted by jetman

As much as it might suck, if it were me (and I avoid work wherever possible), I'd be getting a used one from the wreckers and running it from front to rear. A patch on the fuel line would have me wondering the entire time if it were leaking back there under the seat.

I know... however I am getting ready to put the car up for the winter and get my 89 900T out on the road, but I need to have a temporary fix so I can go to Swedish Car Day, October 16th... If I can get a patch in to last a few hundred miles without leaking, I will be happy. I just dont have the time or money to buy new or used line from saab or the junkyard....

Right now I have the line patched with rubber re-inforced hose and screw clamps.... it doesnt leak, i just did it to get home.... so you think if it doesnt leak, it should be fine?

[jetman]

Anything that works works! I'm not sure of the durability, but I wouldn't be afraid of that for a temporary fix. But I'd be thinking about it every inch I drove!

This certainly something that I would pay attention to over the winter though.

[ProfZ]

You should buy a piece of fuel-injection rubber hose (any large autoparts store will sell it by the foot); a number of the OEM lines in the car are made of this material to begin with, so you're not compromising safety by using it.

Attach the hose with small worm-type clamps (make sure you cut the ends of the plastic line clean and square with a sharp utility knife first).
I did this on my own car over a year ago, and it's still perfect

[zingZACH]

Update....

I fixed it and it runs excellent, no signs of leaks

I used 5/16 compression fittings with a 3/8 ferrule insert ground down to 5/16 (the lip), so that the line doesnt collapse.... it is mint, might not even have to replace my fuel lines now hehe...

I didnt have to use any line, i just patched the two lines with the fittings.

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by cdaly

Matthew did a fuel line repair and, IIRC, he was able to clamp a (suitable) hose over the existing plastic line and just use jubilee clips 'cos the plastic line is strong enough...

Not me!

I did make up a fuel line for a pressure gauge, from the injection rail to the |FPR. I removed the banjo and union fittings from the existing line and used those on some rubber fuel pipe.

EDIT: It was ProfZ
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=48114