Fuel line replacement

[captainchaos]

Hi all

Having read some other threads I' m after some opinion please....

My engine gearbox, all suspension and drive train (except diff) is out of the car. When taking the engine out... In my inexperience, having a real problem freeing the fuel line from the fuel pump I took the pump off whilst partially lifted from the mounts ( hope that makes sense!)... I'm assuming that the fitting should have rotated. Can I renew the fitting and where can I get one from ?
Whilst I have so much of the car apart... Would you look to change the fuel line? The previous threads give me the impression this can be really tricky!?

Thanks again
Gary

[martinbrowning]

Hi Gary, Assuming that you have a mechanical fuel pump, the joint is essentially a "compression joint". yes you undo the nut on the fuel line side of the pump; you may need to put another spanner on the fuel pump side as every time you turn the nut by a flat the fuel line twists and tries to do the nut up again. (Not sure that I have put that very well). When you split the joint you should find a copper olive inside - this must be replaced with new. I bought mine from Sue Millar.
Replacing the fuel line itself is much easier with the body off, but can be done with the body in place. (Really fiddly job though!!). It will help if you open the access panel hidden behind the carpet on the driver's side of the tunnel but remove the seat first.

Hope this is of some help.

regards

Martin B

[captainchaos]

Hi Martin

I have since seen a copy of the buckland book that suggests joining the fuel line and pulling it through. What I don't want to do is get involved in a job that quite frankly does need doing. I think the fuel line was replaced around 18 years ago during a full restoration on a galvanised chassis.

I was hoping the collective wisdom of the form would give me a guide as to whether these is a time/wear/deterioration factor in this lines or am I doing something tricky for the sake of it?

Thanks
Gary

[512BB]

Gary,

In my experience, if the fuel line is the original black nylon one, in good condition, leave it in place, it will be fine.

Whatever type of nylon, are there different types ?, they made them from back in the day, I have never seen one deteriorate AT ALL. Indeed, the original fuel line is still in place 30 years after I bought my first Elan, and therefore must be original to the car, nothing wrong with it.

The only caveat I would mention, is where I state 'good condition'. You need to look to see that the fuel line has not rubbed anywhere, causing damage to it.

As Martin has mentioned, the pita can sometimes be in undoing the fuel pump fitting and olive, as the fitting very often does not let go of the olive, which is tight on the line, and in turn twists the fuel line anti clockwise. Then when you free the spanner, it just does it back up. Overcome this by carefully gripping the fuel line with a pair of suitable pliers, and then turning the fitting.

You will never get the old olive off, you would not use it anyway, so just cut the line behind the olive and remove the fitting.

Good luck with it.

Leslie

PS. I think you missed out a NOT in your text !

[elan66]

If you do replace any fuel lines just make sure they are ethanol resistant
regards
Paul