Date:         Fri, 24 Jun 2005 11:42:04 -0700
Reply-To:     "phlogiston@ispwest.com" <phlogiston@ISPWEST.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "phlogiston@ispwest.com" <phlogiston@ISPWEST.COM>
Subject:      replacing fuel hoses and injector seals
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

i noticed last time that i had my air filter box out that one of the fuel hoses underneath it was looking a little warn.  since i'm not much of a fan of engine fires, i am obviously anxious to address this.  i ordered 4 meters of BMW 8mm fuel hose from volks cafe along with the non-serrated hose clamps.  i also ordered all the fuel injector seals because it seemed like a good thing to do at the same time.

i just went to check the archives to see if there were any hints or things i should know before beginning this job but unfortunately the search page is not working (again).  hence i am putting forth this request for tips or caveats.... it seems like a pretty straightforward job, but it's new territory for me.  i've thought of the following questions, but please feel free to respond with any kind of advice!

-what is the reccomended procedure for depressurizing the fuel hoses?  just put on safety goggles and pull the first hose?

-i'd like to see what the spray pattern of my injectors looks like... how do i go about holding the injectors in the rail once i pull them from the engine?  what is the safest way to get the injectors to fire without running the engine? pull the main wire from the ignition coil to the distributor and crank the engine with the starter?

-will i need to bleed air from the system when i'm done? or will the air work its way through the regulators and out the return hose?

thanks for any advice!

Ben.