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1986 240 DL wagon - I had a leaking fuel line at the filter/fuel pump. that hard plastic fuel line had cracked on i'ts 33rd year of use. So I replaced the entire fuel line from the pump to the engine. It's a rubber line made for use with an electric pump as opposed to a mechanical pump which puts out less pressure. The thing is, is that the pump wavers in pumping speed - and I'm thinking it's because the rubber/cloth line - is stretching under the pressure. I remember having tied the line well with electrical ties every like ten inches and it was fairly straight against the frame, but now there are loops hanging down here and there so I think it stretched. Will this ruin the fuel pump?
The original line is a hard plastic that looks like it gets heat treated to shrink onto the outlet/inlet nipples - there was no clamp at all at either end and the line is so shrunken at the nipples that you can see the three oversize rings that prevent it slipping off. Anyone familiar with sort of thing?
Are you sure that the fuel line you used was rated for the pressure these pumps put out. I believe it is above 45 psi. From your description, it is not.
1986 240 DL wagon - I had a leaking fuel line at the filter/fuel pump. that hard plastic fuel line had cracked on i'ts 33rd year of use. So I replaced the entire fuel line from the pump to the engine. It's a rubber line made for use with an electric pump as opposed to a mechanical pump which puts out less pressure. The thing is, is that the pump wavers in pumping speed - and I'm thinking it's because the rubber/cloth line - is stretching under the pressure. I remember having tied the line well with electrical ties every like ten inches and it was fairly straight against the frame, but now there are loops hanging down here and there so I think it stretched. Will this ruin the fuel pump?
The original line is a hard plastic that looks like it gets heat treated to shrink onto the outlet/inlet nipples - there was no clamp at all at either end and the line is so shrunken at the nipples that you can see the three oversize rings that prevent it slipping off. Anyone familiar with sort of thing?
You can buy the replacement lines. They are cheap.
I'd say if your improvised fuel line is not leaking then it's OK. Is the car running OK, no fuel pressure problems?
I think there is a problem in that the engine, at idle, will speed up and slow down in a regular wave - this may be over working the fuel pump - tho at speed you there is no wave - but I think the line I used - looks like a regular fuel line is SUPPOSEDLY is FOR an electric pump - but the line appears to have stretched - that doesn't seem good. Damn thing cost $60 for ten feet!
if you have to replace any of the fuel lines with 'generic' hose, make sure its fuel injection rated hose. and don't ever use the helical style stainless hose clamps on fuel injection lines, use either of these... the second ones need a special crimp tool, either need to be the exact right size of the hose.
The original high pressure fuel line is heat shrunk. An ordinary heat gun from harbor freight will work.
Just because the line you purchased is for an electric pump, it may not be rated for the pressures run between the main pump and the fuel rail. Have you checked your in-tank pump? If it isn't working the main pump works harder and will make more noise and fail earlier.
Hi Jagtoes - your link pictures just the line that connects the filter and the pump. Then there is the 9 foot or so line that goes from the filter to the in take on the engine. The glossy line pictured in your link IS the line I'm looking for - but need nine feet. You can see in the photo of your link that the line is shrunken onto the metal nipples - this must have been done with heat from some electronic device that would not ignite the fuel. I want to find out where to get the line ( a search at your link site doesn't produce the actual line) and what device they use that would work better than say a hair dryer. What I put on is standard looking fuel line but made, the man told me, for electric pumps level pressure. There are no leaks with this line as I used 'ear rings' that compress with special pliers. But I think this type of line is too flexible for the level of pressure from the VOlvo pump as my idle goes up and down as the pump reads the changes in pressure. Probably not good for the pump. Thanks!
Good advice Pierce. I used the second of your examples. I KNEW a helical type clamp would not be strong enough. I did use 'generic' line rated for fuel injection but it's not good enough as my engine wavers as the fuel line expands and contracts with the pressure.
I have no reason to think the in tank pump isn't working but good idea to test it. I don't think this line is rated for this pump and am looking for the original heat shrunk line. Any clues where to find?
As far as the fuel line is concerned, just google "nylon high pressure fuel line" and you will find all kinds of sources for it. You will have the measure the dimensions of your old line as I don't recall the actual size. Check the pressure specs of the line you purchase and make sure it is higher than 50PSI.
As another option all you need is high pressure braided fuel line that any auto supply house will sell. None of that type will expand or contract under normal usage. The reason for the plastic type OEM line was because it could be fabricated with fittings and installed during the assembly process. It was also thinner and easier to route. I don't believe your idle issue is related to the fuel line . If you put a fuel pressure gauge on that line at the FI rail it should be reading a constant pressure around 44psi.
These things run OK with a broken in tank pump as long as the gas tank is at least 50% full, even it makes the main pump work harder. at below 1/3rd tank, the engine will stumble some at higher RPMs and throttle settings because it will be starved for fuel.
You may be right. However, the high pressure braided line I have has stretched and curled telling me it's not like it was when I put it in. I don't think the nylon line that was originally on there stretches. The engine didn't waver before I replaced the line but did right after so that's why I think the new line is the culprit.
You may be right. However, the high pressure braided line I have has stretched and curled telling me it's not like it was when I put it in. I don't think the nylon line that was originally on there stretches. The engine didn't waver before I replaced the line but did right after so that's why I think the new line is the culprit.
Just gonna say that the line isn't the problem. Check the fuel pressure at the rail and I bet it is constant. You've got another problem.
Fuel line
