do these fuel lines look like they need replacing?

When I drove the Riv home a couple weeks ago when I parked the car there was a very obnoxious fuel smell.

I took a picture when I installed the ambient temp sensor and noticed the fuel lines in the back. What do you think?

>>>>>>> (click on the image to enlarge for close-up) <<<<<<<<

Sooner or later the nylon ones are going to get pinhole leaks in them. I've repaired mine 4 times so far. I have no proof but I think the ethanol is causing this to happen.

If you have a leak, it will be evident when you run the key to "Run" position (no need to start the engine). When the fuel pump comes on, the lines will be pressurized to 45 PSI, and any leaks will be visible as a spray of fuel.

I would like to see a closeup of that rippled looking section. They should look smooth, those look... melted or something.

pbrktrt wrote:

Sooner or later the nylon ones are going to get pinhole leaks in them. I've repaired mine 4 times so far. I have no proof but I think the ethanol is causing this to happen.

Something is wrong with yours. I am still using the original lines, and I've had them held up by the wiper arm a few times while the engine was out or I was working on the SC. I did treat them very carefully when I was doing this, and I was expecting the extra bending to cause a split, which many others have experienced. But to have holes reoccuring isn't right.

Mine are also original at 251k miles, including one engine swap. I also use modified fuel rails, which require the nylon lines be bent unnaturally. Still holding up fine so far...

It almost looks like the top line there is cracked and the only thing holding it together is the rubber skin, but maybe I am overthinking it.

The car runs like sh*t, my mechanic said probably clogged injectors, but maybe it's because the fuel lines suck. Not sure. Something isn't right with the delivery though.

those lines look like theyve taken an unnatural amount of heat at some time.they look bubbled and ready to burst.Napa sells the heat fomeable line by the foot.I would replace it.

It looks like someone replaced the fuel lines coming off the hard lines by the firewall with one of these (except with a straight connector) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CIR1O8 and then used the barb fitting to splice into another fuel line and that is why it looks bulged. I would replace the soft fuel lines from the hard lines to the fuel rail with a proper one piece fuel line for safety and it will look better.

I saw those Dorman kits, they only show the end that goes to the metal lines by the brake booster. Does the other end have this metal piece? -> https://2img.net/h/i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w441/zeetype/DSC05261.jpg (not my pic)

Kind of confused.

I'm not sure if the the dorman kit is supposed to then junction to a fuel hose, or if they are truly full replacements for the entire line.

I believe that you Reuse the OEM metal ends.you have to cut away the old plastic lines and place them over the metal fittings and heat shrink to fit.you also have to heat bend to make the curves so they bend comfortably into the fuel rail fittings.
I've never done them but i know others who have and it came out good.It looks like the previous owner tried and he messed the lines up and instead of doing it over he just left em like that.

robotennis61 wrote:

I believe that you Reuse the OEM metal ends.you have to cut away the old plastic lines and place them over the metal fittings and heat shrink to fit.you also have to heat bend to make the curves so they bend comfortably into the fuel rail fittings.
I've never done them but i know others who have and it came out good.It looks like the previous owner tried and he messed the lines up and instead of doing it over he just left em like that.

Yes... the previous owner suffered from major retardation as I'm realizing as I go. Botched wiring inside, incorrectly installed transmission, ghetto rigged starter, portion of the exhaust missing, now this.

They really didn't care about it very much, it only has 128K on it, so I'm taking the time to put it back on it's legs so to speak.

I replaced fuel lines maybe like five years ago on my 300ZX that I had at the time, used some 180PSI rated fuel hose to replace the existing hose.

Can you just run this sort of fuel hose from the hard lines to the rail and be done with it? 45 PSI is well under that pressure limitation as long as proper metal clamps are used.

I dont know.aside from suspension work I aint done much to the Riv.PM Codith (turtleman) he has a really cool braided hose set up that go's from the firewall to the fuel rail,AN fittings and all! maybe he has all the part numbers you need to order to convert to braided.

See this thread: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t3086-write-up-ss-braided-fuel-lines#35605

45 PSI is at idle. WOT fuel pressure can be above 75 PSI. A stout oil/fuel hose should work. I'd use something rated at 200 PSI or more.

Thanks guys, I'll have to look more into this. Def want to have it safe.

AA wrote:

See this thread: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t3086-write-up-ss-braided-fuel-lines#35605

45 PSI is at idle. WOT fuel pressure can be above 75 PSI. A stout oil/fuel hose should work. I'd use something rated at 200 PSI or more.

Oh, good to know about the PSI. Yeah, I'd pick up the highest rated I can get.

Here's are some nice little reference pics of which lines are which from ze manual:

The thing you have to remember guys, we are dealing with 95's here. Trust me, there are problems with the nylon lines that you series 2 owners don't seem to have. I have used the Dorman lines to repair as much of the line as possible. The factory bends would be almost impossible to duplicate. Mine are connected with nylon to nylon compression fittings and while ugly, are totally safe and functional. When fuel is spraying on a hot engine, I do the fastest repair available.

this is true.the 95 fuel lines are different.

Go buy some injector hose and clamps......... Fix her leaking holes..........

flyineagle96 wrote:

Go buy some injector hose and clamps......... Fix her leaking holes..........

I'll probably do that this weekend. Will take pictures and do a write up.

I got all the tune up parts waiting to be put on too. lol

Just wanted to follow up on this. I just took the car out to drive it yesterday.

When I was filling the coolant back up to the top, I noticed while the car was idling I saw the fuel lines looked wet. Smelled it, sure enough, it's leaking gas out of that botched repair job area.

Had to use a GM tool from Autozone to get the damn connectors off. Took a lot longer than it should have.

I haven't replaced the lines yet, but getting those suckers off was quite a task.

Some pics of the fuel line removal work so far.

no offence buddy but that is a terrible idea! dont mess around with fuel. it can and does do weird shit when you least expect it! go to NAPA and buy some plastic fuel line that can be formed by using a common heat gun.much safer.

JB weld on a high pressure fuel line is bad bad bad