I had no idea that Stainless Steel braided hose could fail. Sure, I knew that it might, but not really.
One of our fuel lines, just started dripping. It is right in the middle, where the SS line failed. I have to replace that tomorrow. It looks to be a 3/8 line, with maybe 3/8 connectors.
First off, when I disconnect the line, will it continue to siphon fuel out of the tank?
Second off, where do I get a new line?
God bless,
John
Hey John,
If its like mine it is plastic with a slide over stainless cover. I don't think alot of it, it needs replaced more often than if it had no cover, the stainless braid wears a hole in the plastic.
I doubt it will siphon.
You hid your city so its hard to tell you where to get another one, but if you live around Tacoma, Williams Oil Filter is hard to beat for selection and price.
If its like mine, the ends are reusable, you can even splice. I carry splice fittings in the sizes my bus uses as well as a few feet of each size of line.
John,
I am not trying to hijack your post, but my question might have the same answer so I will give it a go. My generator currently receives its fuel supply from the bus fuel tank. There is a supply line and a return line and both are copper tubing. I have an issue with a couple of the fittings leaking. I was thinking about replacing the lines with the stainless steel covered tubing, but after reading NJT 5573's response I am wondering now if I should go with standard rubber fuel line - there are lot of bends and twists between the generator and fuel tank so I am thinking a flexible line would be better than the copper or a stainless steel line. Thoughts?
Brian
How about that steel wire reinforced, cloth covered rubber line?
Big transit uses tons of it for everything, air, water, fuel, a/c....
Unless you want the appearance of the stainless, it's the life of the rubber inside that determines replacement.
happy coaching!
buswarrior
I love putting plain old rubber fuel hose inside of plastic conduit for protection....
Good old nylon plastic lines with compression fittings on either side is what is used with new trucks now. I used it with my generator and haven't had a problem with it in 15 years. Just make sure to get fuel rated lines. Good Luck, TomC
If the point where you disconnect the fuel line is lower than the level of fuel in the tank, it may siphon. I used fuel injection rated rubber fuel line. It is a little more expensive, but it is reinforced and I protect it where it goes through a bulkhead. 9 years so far and no problems. Jack
I would take it to a hydraulic hose store and ask them to make up a new one. Tell them the fluid type and the pressure requirement. the beauty of having hose end standards is that there are so many to choose from - and so many of them look so much alike... the difference between a 37 degree AN/JIC flare and a 45 degree industrial flare is pretty subtle, when you are looking at them in the dark...
there are many kinds of stainless steel hose. I use several types on my race cars, and I make up my own hoses. For fuel you would normally use a multi-layer rubber/cloth hose with stainless over top as a simple wear layer. High pressure hydraulic hose often has steel braid inside the hose layers for strength, and may or may not have an external wear layer of steel braid. High pressure hose can also be a teflon tube (looks like nylon, but isn't) with a braided steel wear layer, I use this for hydralic brake lines on my race cars. Each requires a different kind of hose end and attachment to the hose. Some stainless hose used by OEM's for fuel lines is just normal rubber hose with a wear layer of stainless, rated to about nothing and lasts not very long.
Edit: note that I'm not suggesting hydraulic hose, just that my local hose shop sells all types of hose, including what's ideal for this application, and will crimp on the right hose ends for not much money. While you wait, too, there are always a couple of grimy guys from under a truck with a hose in their hand waiting for service...
Brian
Personally I don't care for the stuff, too hard to inspect. Medium pressure hoses such as Gates SAE 100R1 type AT have stainless braid already in them. I am more impressed by fire sleeve than outer stainless braiding. Most medium pressure hoses will have a cure date on the outside.
If it's pliable it's flyable
For fuel try going to west marine and look at hose with the term firecol on it. It is a thick abrasion resistant hose and is fire resistant and withstands diesel fuel well. it will out last most hose for diesel applications! Sorry can not remember the numerical designation. Regards John
Parker (http://www.parker.com/portal/site/PARKER/menuitem.5f7d57d9c19d0b688621d68a237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=e3418657ef7e2110VgnVCM100000c9040d0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=EN&divId=&divName=Part+List&catId=2609384&catName=HTFL%20SERIES&partNumber=&srcTypeId=PARTLIST_PAGE&country=United%20States&noun=&modifier=&Wtky=TUBING) has the fuel line for diesel and custom made with ends to your size. Call them.
Hydraulic hose would work but it over kill and larger bend radius than the fuel line
Hope you get what you need.
Sojourn for Christ. Gerald
BTW...what ever you choose...be sure to take the old line with you to determine the correct fitting version & size