Fuel Hoses

[greasykitchen]

Hi,

I'm planning on replacing the all of the flexible fuel hoses under the hood of my MK1. I've had a few minor leaks which I've fixed, but the hoses are generally wearing out.

What confuses me a bit is that there is a three way joiner between the pump and the carby. Two of the hoses are the normal fuel path, but the other appears to return to (or come from) back under the fire wall. Is this some sort of re-breather or over flow line?

Secondly, I want to replace to three way thingy. I was told a brass fitting would be best. But where in Adelaide could I get one?

The motor is a stock 1600 with no mods at all.

Thanks in advance.

Stephen.

[Peter Jones]

Was your car ever a diesel?

Diesel cars have a return line which may have been hooked up.

I'm not familiar with the original plumbing but I seem to recall that there was a return feed to allow additional pressure to be returned back to the line prior to the pump. There's probably a restriction on one side of the t piece to create the pressure differential.

For all your hoses clamps and brass thingies go to Pirtek or Enzed, they're hose and fittings specialists and you'll get better quality products than you can at the auto shops usually at a cheaper price too.

Pete

[greasykitchen]

Thanks Pete.

The car is original and has always been a petrol engine. I'll try to get a pic up soon so you all can see what I'm on about.

Thanks for the Pirtek/Enzed tip. I've got everything I need except the three way joiner, so I'll check 'em out.

Cheers

[gtimk5]

Hi Stephen, the T piece is a source of return for the fuel when the float chamber is full. If the car is original then that 2 inch piece of hose that runs off the T piece heading back to the tank will have a small restrictor in it. You must fit that inside the new hose otherwise the fuel pressure to the needle valve will be low. It is a common mistake made by people to leave it out as they dont realise its there. The fuel finds an easier route back to the tank without the restrictor!!!
Cheers and good luck mate,
Andrew

[greasykitchen]

Hi Andrew, thanks for the help. I'm still a bit unsure if my T piece is in it's original spot as the 2 inch hose you mention doesn't add up. I guess if I just replace the hoses nothing can go wrong? Anyway here's some pics:

The T piece after the pump sitting near the engine:



And where it goes back towards the tank - it's the fainter hose underneath:



Thanks again.
Cheers

[Peter Jones]

The restrictor is just a small tube inside one of the hoses leading back to the tank. Try squeezing the hose with some pliers to find it or just cut your old hoses up to make sure there's nothing in them.

Pete

[greasykitchen]

Thanks Pete and Andrew. Now I know what it is and look for the restrictor when I do the job on the weekend.
Cheers
Stephen

[gtimk5]

Stephen, in the top pic there its the short piece running off the T piece to the left in there.
Andrew

[greasykitchen]

That makes sense. Thanks again.