Seems like everything on automobiles is getting more complicated. Take even basic things like fuel lines…in the past a fuel line was just a simple piece of steel tubing that went from one end of the car to the other, had basic fittings on the end and that’s all there was to it. Well, it still may be made of steel, but the problem now is that they have complex fittings on the ends of them to couple to fuel filters, and fuel rails for the fuel injection, and things like that.
What that essentially means is that if you have a rusted steel fuel line, you may have to replace the entire thing, and that may come as a big complex assembly that runs from one end of the vehicle to the other. In some cases the replacement even requires jacking the body off of the frame of the car and can be horrific as far as expense is concerned.
Well, Dorman Products has a repair kit for steel fuel lines, and it comes with all of these special connectors, and it has tools and fittings to connect those to replacement steel lines. So it can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Now this isn’t do-it-yourself but if you need fuel line repair, look for a shop that has one of these Dorman kits.
Another thing that has been going on is that on many cars, the fuel line has moved from steel to plastic. You may say plastic isn’t going to rust out, and that’s absolutely true because it does not, but it can be damaged by debris from the highway, it can be damaged from running over bumpers in the parking lot, all sorts of different things, even jacking the car up improperly. So what do you do? Again, it’s back to Dorman products. They have a kit that includes repair pieces: pieces of the plastic tubing, the tools to install these pieces, and all of the specialty ends to couple the fuel line to the fuel filter and the fuel rail. Now this stuff is impossible to find in most cases but it’s all included in these Dorman kits, so that’s something that you want to look for if you need a fuel line repair on your car.
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FAQs
Well, Dorman Products has a repair kit for steel fuel lines, and it comes with all of these special connectors, and it has tools and fittings to connect those to replacement steel lines. So it can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
How much should a fuel line repair cost? ›
On average, you can expect to pay between $300 and $500, including parts and labor, for a basic fuel line repair. However, if the existing fuel lines are in bad condition or require the shop to remove the gas tank, the price can increase significantly, sometimes costing $1,000 or more.
How long does it take to fix a fuel line on a car? ›
Depending on which parts your mechanic needs to repair or replace, a fuel system service could take anywhere from an hour for a fuel line replacement to a few hours if they find a faulty fuel pump, fuel filter or carburetor issue.
Can you drive with a broken fuel line? ›
When you've got a defective fuel line or fuel line tube, you run the risk of burning that leaking fuel up in your vehicle, which can create hazardous smoke. Like with any defective fuel line danger, smoke can build up in the cabin of your vehicle at any time, making it extremely difficult to drive safely.
Can you use rubber hose to repair fuel line? ›
Rubber Hose
It must be rated for fuel or be labeled as meeting one of the following SAE grades: SAE J30R7 is carburetor rated fuel hose and should only be used in limited runs up to 50 psi. SAE J30R9 is fuel Injection rated fuel hose which can handle up to 100 PSI.
How serious is a fuel line leak? ›
Fire and explosion risks
Gasoline is highly flammable, and a gas leak, such as one from a car's gas tank or damaged fuel lines, can result in a fire or explosion if an ignition source is present. When gasoline vapor comes into contact with a spark or flame, it can ignite and cause a catastrophic event.
Why do fuel lines go bad? ›
Fuel can soak into the hose over time and break it down, causing cracks and leaks. Depending on what section of the fuel line needs replacing, new parts can cost anywhere from $10 to $530.
How will you determine if fuel lines need to be replaced? ›
The key symptoms of clogged fuel line include unstable idling, shaking and vibration of engine, weak acceleration, stalling, etc.
How do you know if your gas line is bad? ›
If you smell sulfur or rotten eggs, evacuate your home and contact an expert immediately to resolve the issue. Hissing sounds. If your gas line has a slight crack or hole, the pressure of escaped gas will likely cause a hissing sound. If you identify this leak, turn off your gas line and call a plumber immediately.
Do fuel lines get clogged? ›
Fuel Lines
This is dangerous, as the smoke contains carbon monoxide, and indicates you've got gas flowing back into the tank and leaking into your engine. Clogged fuel lines will also prevent your car from starting. Cleaning or replacing the clogged fuel lines solves the problem.
On average, you can expect to pay between $300 and $500. This cost includes parts, usually priced between $50 and $150, and labor, which can range from $250 to $350 depending on the complexity of the job and the mechanic's hourly rate. Remember, these prices are estimates and can vary.
What causes a fuel line to break? ›
Fuel lines, like anything in an engine, are liable to break over years of wear and tear. Or, a fuel line may take on some spontaneous damage in its lifetime. For example, I've seen a Chevy truck fuel line damaged from a blunt force caused by the high-centering of the vehicle.
How to stop a fuel line leak? ›
The easiest fix would be to see if there is enough line there to simply remove the flared end, slide on a new fitting, and re-flare the end using a flaring tool. Then you will have a fresh new seal.
Can a gas line be patched? ›
No, fixing—or patching—a hole in a gas line may not seal it completely. A patch should be a temporary solution because the damaged area will be weaker than the rest of the pipe, increasing the likelihood of future leaks. Therefore, if a gas line incurs damage, you should call a plumber and have it replaced right away.
Can I tape my fuel line? ›
Backyard mechanics will tell you they've used regular old gas resistant teflon tape (yellow stuff) with success. This is not recommended because it risks breaking free. Liquid or paste type thread sealants are kinder to sensitive components down stream.
Seems like everything on automobiles is getting more complicated. Take even basic things like fuel lines…in the past a fuel line was just a simple piece of steel tubing that went from one end of the car to the other, had basic fittings on the end and that’s all there was to it. Well, it still may be made of steel, but the problem now is that they have complex fittings on the ends of them to couple to fuel filters, and fuel rails for the fuel injection, and things like that.
Well, Dorman Products has a repair kit for steel fuel lines, and it comes with all of these special connectors, and it has tools and fittings to connect those to replacement steel lines. So it can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Now this isn’t do-it-yourself but if you need fuel line repair, look for a shop that has one of these Dorman kits.
Another thing that has been going on is that on many cars, the fuel line has moved from steel to plastic. You may say plastic isn’t going to rust out, and that’s absolutely true because it does not, but it can be damaged by debris from the highway, it can be damaged from running over bumpers in the parking lot, all sorts of different things, even jacking the car up improperly. So what do you do? Again, it’s back to Dorman products. They have a kit that includes repair pieces: pieces of the plastic tubing, the tools to install these pieces, and all of the specialty ends to couple the fuel line to the fuel filter and the fuel rail. Now this stuff is impossible to find in most cases but it’s all included in these Dorman kits, so that’s something that you want to look for if you need a fuel line repair on your car.