Help! broken fuel line
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau QC
Help! broken fuel line
First of all, as you'll soon realize I have close to zero auto repair experience.
I noticed my 79 vette starting to smell like gasoline when driving recently and it seemed to be coming from the front so I removed the air filter and found that there was a gas leak where the gas line connects with the carburator (at the fuel filter). I figured I would try to remove the fuel filter and change it if necessary and change the little gasket to get rid of the leak.
However, when I started trying to turn the bolt, I accidentally twisted the fuel line and ripped a hole in it. DOH!! That was dumb.
What should I do now? Is it possible to cut the fuel line and just replace the end part or do I need to get the whole thing changed?
Any low cost and easy ideas?
I noticed my 79 vette starting to smell like gasoline when driving recently and it seemed to be coming from the front so I removed the air filter and found that there was a gas leak where the gas line connects with the carburator (at the fuel filter). I figured I would try to remove the fuel filter and change it if necessary and change the little gasket to get rid of the leak.
However, when I started trying to turn the bolt, I accidentally twisted the fuel line and ripped a hole in it. DOH!! That was dumb.
What should I do now? Is it possible to cut the fuel line and just replace the end part or do I need to get the whole thing changed?
Any low cost and easy ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
You will need to replace the broken fuel line. You might consider taking it to a mechanic to have it replaced.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...5&dept_id=1268
You might also order this.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...6&dept_id=1272
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...5&dept_id=1268
You might also order this.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...6&dept_id=1272
Last edited by Red 69; Sep 3, 2007 at 01:55 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
If it broke that easily, it is possible that is where the leak was. It's better to have to replace a fuel line than have to replace the car because it catches on fire. Consider yourself lucky. 
Replace the entire line from the fuel pump to the carb with a solid steel line. Then, with the air cleaner off, start up the car and look for (and sniff for) leaks. When I got my car, the carb itself was leaking and needed to be rebuilt.
Replace the entire line from the fuel pump to the carb with a solid steel line. Then, with the air cleaner off, start up the car and look for (and sniff for) leaks. When I got my car, the carb itself was leaking and needed to be rebuilt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Use two wrenches to remove the fuel line. One on the carb fitting to hold it still, and one on the fuel line. A flare wrench is best for the fuel line fitting. Line up the new fuel line before you tighten/install so that the end flare is perfectly square with the carb fitting without any tension on the line. Seat the flare inside before you tighten the nut. Do NOT tighten it to line it up. That's where leaks begin. A little grease around the flare prevents galling.
Good luck
Eddie
Good luck
Eddie
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Buy/borrow yourself a cheap 45° flare tool set and a 3/8" tube bender.
Also a 3 foot long piece of 3/8" brake tubing with the flare nuts already on both ends. (Maybe buy 2
)
Lay the old one out and copy the bends to the new one. You only have to flare 1 end.
When installing, pull the nut back a bit and put a bit of heavy grease on the tube where the nut will go. Prevents this twisting/seizing years down the road.
As mentioned, always use 2 wrenches
Also a 3 foot long piece of 3/8" brake tubing with the flare nuts already on both ends. (Maybe buy 2
) Lay the old one out and copy the bends to the new one. You only have to flare 1 end.
When installing, pull the nut back a bit and put a bit of heavy grease on the tube where the nut will go. Prevents this twisting/seizing years down the road.
As mentioned, always use 2 wrenches
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau QC
Follow-up:
When I changed the fuel filter I noticed that some of the threading inside the fuel filter housing was breaking off, explaining the initial leak problem. Because of this, when I tried to put everything back together the leak was even worse. Since that threading is inside the carb itself, I figured I needed to change to whole thing.
I got a used q-jet in good shape (better than the one I had) for 100$ and performed the swap yesterday, got the car started, no fuel leaks.
I learned a lot because of this. Bending lines, changing a carburetor, etc. I'm proud I managed to do it all myself.
Thanks for your help guys!
When I changed the fuel filter I noticed that some of the threading inside the fuel filter housing was breaking off, explaining the initial leak problem. Because of this, when I tried to put everything back together the leak was even worse. Since that threading is inside the carb itself, I figured I needed to change to whole thing.
I got a used q-jet in good shape (better than the one I had) for 100$ and performed the swap yesterday, got the car started, no fuel leaks.
I learned a lot because of this. Bending lines, changing a carburetor, etc. I'm proud I managed to do it all myself.
Thanks for your help guys!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 0
From: Green Bay Wi
