$819 for 3 fuel lines?? Use steel lines???
- Thread starter frankiee
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I had a Pontiac 6000 with lines that went out; the metal fuel lines, bent to shape, and just replacing the section that is corroded plus fittings was cheap to do. I'd say find a good hack mechanic ... but if you wanted it back to factory condition, the price actually sounds right because that's what you have to pay to get specific factory parts from the manufacturer.
When I worked at a brake shop, I made up many steel brake lines, transmission fluid lines and fuel lines. We had a selection of benders and a double flare tool set. I could make up almost anything. Didn't have a bubble flare tool. I would start with a longer than needed length, cut out the excess and use a double flare union to connect the 2 pieces.
Problem is, the manufactures have largely replaced the inverted flare fittings with 50 different types of quick connects. If you can salvage the ends, you can pay for a good double flare set and bender. Just use the old lines as a pattern. Pick up some nuts and unions. It is very important to put the nut on the tubing before flaring it.
Edited to add:
We also solved a bunch of problems that way when somebody brought in a pump or steering box with lines bolt cuttered and the fittings on the part didn't match their lines.
Problem is, the manufactures have largely replaced the inverted flare fittings with 50 different types of quick connects. If you can salvage the ends, you can pay for a good double flare set and bender. Just use the old lines as a pattern. Pick up some nuts and unions. It is very important to put the nut on the tubing before flaring it.
Edited to add:
We also solved a bunch of problems that way when somebody brought in a pump or steering box with lines bolt cuttered and the fittings on the part didn't match their lines.
Toyota gas lines probably would be $1,932.98
...and would never neeed to be replaced.
Actually it would be that it's miraculous that Toyota fuel lines lasted for 10 long years with sucky American gasoline. And the owner should feel blessed to pay 'only' $1,932.98 to have Genuine Toyota parts, that are truely made in Japan, installed on their car. The other excuse would be it's just your average maintenance for such a "high quality" car
It's a VAN. There should be tons of room under there to snake around some generic fuel line. The return line could probably be plain old rubber line attached to the cut off ends since it shouldn't have much pressure (confirm this first!) I bent up and installed a pair of brake lines in my VW Golf last night and it only took me 30 minutes. Yeah, they are kinda wavy looking and the turns are awkward but they'll last.
I didn't even bother to shorten the lines I bought so I had to do some funky turns to waste 5" of a 25" line. Total cost? 10 bucks for two front brake lines.
Steve
Steve
Thanks people
And thanks Labman for introducing me to this site form Pointask
So I take it that the factory lines are so expensive because they a quick and easy for manufacture of the auto at the buyers expence.
I take it that by installing steel lines that I will not be compramising and safty of the vehicle, right.
And thanks Labman for introducing me to this site form Pointask
So I take it that the factory lines are so expensive because they a quick and easy for manufacture of the auto at the buyers expence.
I take it that by installing steel lines that I will not be compramising and safty of the vehicle, right.
Welcome frankiee. I feel guilty using another site to promote BITOG, but there is nobody else there to answer automotive questions I can't. A couple of years ago, there were some people giving answers that sounded good to me, but nobody now. Technically, it stinks, and there just aren't that many good people there. The only thing I like about it is using my profile to only see questions on subjects I am interested in.
This site is so active and has so many people, chances are somebody knows something about anything you bring up. I got some help on metal halide security lights that I have no idea where else I might have.
This site is so active and has so many people, chances are somebody knows something about anything you bring up. I got some help on metal halide security lights that I have no idea where else I might have.
There's nothing sucky about American gas. I've never changed a fuel line on any vehicle I've owned and figured they were good for the lifetime of the car - I inspect them when it's up on ramps but never a problem.
Heck, the fuel lines and both fuel pumps are still original on my 85 Volvo.
Heck, the fuel lines and both fuel pumps are still original on my 85 Volvo.
mormit:
I agree. I have traveled to places where the quality of fuel left much to be desired (Pemex?) but I still can't see how even that could do any damage to a fuel line. Some folks just gotta take a jab now and then I guess.
"Fuel Line Envy"?
Steve
I agree. I have traveled to places where the quality of fuel left much to be desired (Pemex?) but I still can't see how even that could do any damage to a fuel line. Some folks just gotta take a jab now and then I guess.
"Fuel Line Envy"?
Steve
Most of the steel lines I worked on failed from the outside, rust, bolt cutters, unplanned mechanical events, etc. Many were twisted off when the nut failed to turn. We have enough import/domestic debates in other threads without bringing it up here. frankiee is from Canada, so the van may have seen plenty of salt.
I never replaced fuel lines on my Toyotas so I don't know what the reason for the jab is other than to start another argument.
Daily Drives:
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner,2.7 liter, 4 cylinder, Mobil1 5w30 ODO 16300
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner,3.0 liter,6 cylinder, Mobil1 10w30 ODO 96200
http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer
Daily Drives:
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner,2.7 liter, 4 cylinder, Mobil1 5w30 ODO 16300
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner,3.0 liter,6 cylinder, Mobil1 10w30 ODO 96200
http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer
I come from Ontario Canada where there is a lot of salt put on the road in the winter time and it is hard on vehicles.
Rust is a terrible thing here and a car with 250,000 km or 12 years of life are junk because the bodies are falling apart. I mean the frames are rotted out. I worked in a scrap yard and a lot of the vehicles fell apart on the loader because the metal returned to being iron oxide dust.
The fuel lines need replacing because of rust.
Both imports and domestic vehicles rust.
Some more then others.
I think I will go the steel line replacal route and save some big bucks
I can see no reason to have to go back to original condition.
Rust is a terrible thing here and a car with 250,000 km or 12 years of life are junk because the bodies are falling apart. I mean the frames are rotted out. I worked in a scrap yard and a lot of the vehicles fell apart on the loader because the metal returned to being iron oxide dust.
The fuel lines need replacing because of rust.
Both imports and domestic vehicles rust.
Some more then others.
I think I will go the steel line replacal route and save some big bucks
I can see no reason to have to go back to original condition.
What in the world are you talking about? Gotta take a swipe or two at imports huh? How would "sucky American gasoline" corrode a metal fuel line? I happen to own a '91 Toyota truck (it was a 'freebie') and after 14 years the fuel lines are just fine. Have I been blessed or what?quote:
Originally posted by Kernel Potter:
Actually it would be that it's miraculous that Toyota fuel lines lasted for 10 long years with sucky American gasoline. And the owner should feel blessed to pay 'only' $1,932.98 to have Genuine Toyota parts, that are truely made in Japan, installed on their car. The other excuse would be it's just your average maintenance for such a "high quality" car
Steve
I've never replaced a fuel line either and as if there's never been biased attacks on American cars here before
I've read and heard so many times about imports failing because of bad American gas, oil, American labor.... never the fault of the imported products or labor.... totally anti-American
any of my fuel line damage was related to external rusting (pass the salt please). it seems unlikely that 'better gas' would prevent this.
the thing about replacing the fuel lines is that you may (i'm not sure on the van) have to separate them from the brake lines as well. at one of my (many) employers, we made assemblies of brake and fuel lines, that once assembled, were quite difficult to separate.
these fuel lines may also include a regulator and a check valve or two.
may not be the case on your vehicle.
these fuel lines may also include a regulator and a check valve or two.
may not be the case on your vehicle.
i run stainless steel braided lines and AN fittings- though that might be a bit overkill, and a bit more cost that you'd like to look at (it's the fittings thar are expensive)
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