Hey everyone,

I've been reading lately about several C4's burning due to engine fires. The following is my experience, and would very well have cost me my C4 had the engine not been cold. Please read and take the necessary precautions:

I formerly owned a '85 auto. I left my shop one day and got about a mile down the road and caught a strong wiff of raw fuel. Knowing how fiberglass loves to burn, I pulled into the first parking lot I came to. What I found floored me. The fuel line comes up the frame rail and passes by the front of the engine and makes a turn to come up the engine to the fuel rail. Where the fuel line curves up the front of the engine GM made a section of line (about 5" as I recall) rubber with crimp ends at each end to attach it to the metal fuel line. The crimp must have gone bad, or the rubber had fatigued, either way THE FUEL LINE WAS SPRAYING GAS LIKE A GARDEN HOSE DIRECTLY ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD!!!!!!! Luckly the engine was still relativley cold, or I'm sure the car would have burned to the ground!

I traced the fuel line from the fuel rail back to it's next junction (a small adapter next to the fuel filter) and replaced both the delivery and return lines with braded stainless lines.

Do not take any chances! please be aware of this problem and take the appropriate actions to ensure this does not happen to you!!!!!

VtVette


[Modified by VtVette, 6:38 PM 2/26/2004]


[Modified by VtVette, 7:33 PM 2/26/2004]

 

thanks for the great info :cheers:

 

Here's a pic of the lines for you
Mine's an '89 L98, front of engine shot.


[Modified by shotchkiss, 9:03 PM 2/26/2004]

 

shotchkiss that's the lines. When mine leaked it was like a finger over a garden hose gas spraying all over the place, including the header!

 

Is that the LT1?. And how hard are the lines to get to?. What kind of stainless steel lines did you use?.

 

Mine was a '85 L98. I am nit sure uf the LT1 uses the same design.

I used braided stainless (aeroquip) line. you need to get the proper fittings and have the lines made. I have the tools and my shop had the lines in stock but any race shop/performance shop can make them up. Usually while you wait.

I believe I used -6 (dash 6) on mine. It's a common size aeroquip hose.

VtVette

 

shotchkiss---Thanks For The Picture

 

Thanks for the Info I will check it out :)

 

Is that on the back or the front of the engine? Can anyone confirm if the LT1 uses this same design?

 

that is an issue with L98 cars... LT1 cars have another problem... the electrics behind the battery get nasty and short out.

 

The wiper motor is another hot spot for fires. The L98 has a similar crimp in the fuel lines near the motor mount.

 

Thanks for the one up!!!
:eek:

 

I will definitely have mine checked out. TFTT :cheers:

 

Hey Scorp, what's the story on the wiper motor? How does it cause fires?

VtVette

 

:(

I've checked mine and cleaned em off, the rubber appears to be in good condition. But I will consider upgrading the fittings. :yesnod:

 

i'll be checking them before everything goes back together.

 

It's a wonder some one is not selling these modified fuel lines.
:confused: :confused:

 

They're just something I came up with because I refused to replace them with the same GM lines that almost burned my car to the ground!

DAMN :banghead: if I still had my '85 I would do up a batch and sell them through my shop http://www.eckertmotorsport.com we now offer a host of other services, and the site is getting a complete makeover very shortly.

I'm looking into getting another C4, hopefully soon. If I do I'll make up a kit and offer it for sale here on the forum.

Wish I still had the '85 - I could do it right now :mad




[Modified by VtVette, 10:06 PM 2/26/2004]

 

I recently had the front of the motor apart to replace the water pump.I replaced every hose..........................except these fuel lines.What makes it worse these lines arent crimped,only hose clamps,and these hoses are a pain to get to once everything is back together.

 

Thanks... i'll be checking this out this weekend... :thumbs: