Weird fuel fail seepage (NOT the o-rings/injectors)

[Darkwriter77]

Once again with the stench of fuel in my car. Grrrr...

Oddly enough, it only seems to happen when I first start my car up at night when leaving work. I get a little spurt of fuel from the rear-passenger end of the fuel rail where the crossover hose connects to the fitting, and then nothing more. Goes bone-dry within a couple o' minutes, running or not, hot or cold. Weird. The clamp's plenty tight - not OVER-tightened - and I figure it's probably just the result of the hose rubber degrading or not holding up to the pressure. (I, being a cheap dummy, used regular 3/8" fuel line when replacing it last year while doing my fuel injector swap.)

Aside from this weird random seepage thing, my two questions are quickies: Is the crossover hose supposed to be 3/8" or 5/16"? And are regular band clamps (like tiny versions of radiator hose clamps) a no-no for these connections? ... like, I should be looking for some fuel-injection-specific clamps for the rails?

Reason I ask is because the hose I took off when replacing it last year was 5/16" (Goodyear fuel injection hose, had petrified solid over the years) and it seemed wayyyyyyy too tight on the barb fittings - had to slice it off with a knife. I also ask about the clamps because I wonder if perhaps it might be seeping as a result of the clamp deforming as it gets smaller and leaving a tiny channel for the fuel to seep past sometimes (although why it only does it at night and when first starting up and leaving work is totally weird).

Gonna yank the upper plenum to deal with this crap on Monday. Hope I don't burst into flames before then - I got my Kidde extinguisher sitting on the front passenger seat now, just in case.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[vristang]

There are hose clamps available specifically for fuel line. The edges of these clamps will be rolled so they don't cut into the hose as bad.
The fuel line should be as tight on the barb as you can get it. I don't recall the proper size. Also, make certain you are using HIGH pressure fuel line, otherwise you can have problems.

The leak may be due to things fitting looser when cold. Once all the fuel system warms up a little, things may be expanding into a sealed condition. Pure speculation on my part though.

not sure if I helped or not, but good luck
jason

 

[txstang84]

i believe they're 5/16" for the stock line...like jason said, be sure to use the clamps and line specifically for high pressure apps, as the low pressure clamps will cause leaks, and the low press line will probably burst

kinda weird though, I'm running a stock fuel rail on my new engine (new to the car anyway) and it's off a '91 model, and it's still got the hard vinyl lines with no leaks-is this something I need to keep an eye on?

 

[Darkwriter77]

*shrugs* Beats me. Whomever dealt with my car beforehand changed the crossover hoses out with some Goodyear hose, and that had to've been a long time ago, as it was completely petrified and starting to crack when I took the rails off to swap out the injectors.

I suppose I could always buy both 3/8" AND 5/16" hoses, but that fuel injection line is some expensive crap - five bucks a foot! - to be making guesses at it, especially since you can't return bulk hose that's been cut.

Anyone know where I can pick up some of those fuel injection clamps? I know I've seen something like 'em in the past, but none of our stores (Autozone) carry 'em around my neck o' the woods, and the goofs at Checker don't have a clue what I'm talking about. NAPA, mayhaps...?

 

[vristang]

Locally, I trust the NAPA part clerks above anyone else. They seem to hire folks at NAPA who actually have done things on a car.

I have seen the fuel hose clamps at Schmucks so they should have them at Checker too. I think they were near the pcvs and replacement fuel caps.

I did not know there was such a thing as a fuel hose clamp when I converted to a 351w, so I just used regular clamps. They are still on there and holding well, after several years
If nothing else just use what you can find, and keep and eye on it.

jason

 

[txstang84]

yes it is $5/ft...you had it right, but you should be able to buy little 3 ft sections pre packaged at the parts store-but seriously, I believe it's 5/16"

the clamps for high pressure line will be right next to the rest of the clamps...and they'll likely be packaged as Fuel Injection hose clamps or High Pressure hose clamps...

Do you have a pep boys nearby? I know they used to carry them, checkers should have them too. Napa should have them, but ours aren't open on weekends...drat

 

[txstang84]

Locally, I trust the NAPA part clerks above anyone else. They seem to hire folks at NAPA who actually have done things on a car...

indeed, I've noticed that here too...

 

[Darkwriter77]

Cool beans. Scored all the necessary bits for about $12. Now I just need to get around to actually finding the time to do the deed. This'll be the third time in less than a year that I've had to pull the upper intake off for something fuel-related, and it better be the last for awhile ... but then again, I can't blame anyone but myself for this time, being that I was the dummy that used the wrong stuff.

Here's to hoping in vain that I can somehow craftily wiggle the hoses into place without having to actually pull the fuel rail. (Probably impossible, but what the heck, worth a shot, anyway...)

Many thanks for the replies!

 

[txstang84]

LOL, take solace in the fact that you are most definitely neither the first, nor will you be the last that has ever done anything in haste because you were in a pinch and not fixed it until it gave you problems

good luck bro!