Date:         Sat, 4 Aug 2012 02:55:20 -0500
Reply-To:     Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Subject:      Two fuel line replacement questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

Fortunately for me, my fuel lineburst in the driveway moving the van
from the driveway to the gap inbetween the shop and
garage.  Investigated the problem and saw no obisous tear in the
lines.  Definitely cracking on the outside on several of them though.

Since I don't remember who I bought the last replacement kit from,
I'd like to buy some hose that will last a bit longer this time
around for my 90 GL with2.1L motor.  I didn't add any "shielding"
like the factory did, so that may have been part of the problem, but
my questions are as follows:

1.  There is a lot of hype over the 30R9 class of fuel hose that
Goodyear and Gates offer, but it comes in SAE sizes.  Go westy offers
an "upgrade" to higher quality hose, but it is a substantial increase
in price.  I had the autoparts local guy use his caliper to measure
the inside diameter of some US made 5/16" hose and it came out as
7.3mm.  So question number one is whether the diff between the 5/16"
and the 7mm German hose is an issue considering I'm using the rolled
edge hose clamps to tighten things up with??

2.  Vanagain's  website sells the 7mm high pressure fuel hose for
$5/ft. but doesn't specify whether it's 30R9 spec. or not.  I've yet
to research as to whether the Gates/Goodyear/Dayco hoses are for high
pressure applications yet, so I'm asking the list if the 30R9 spec is
a desirable thing?  Bus DEpot doesn't specify the 30R9 spec either,
but their fuel line is higher priced per foot than Vanagain's.  Just
trying to compare apples to apples here..

I realize that most any reinforced high pressure hose will be an
improvement over what I have now, but would like to make an informed
purchase this time around.  BTW, the leak was under the 1-2 manifold
and after cutting out the section of bad hose, it was not obvious
where the leak was.  I plugged one end of the hose with an 8mm bolt
and applied air pressure from the other end.  I got a "draft"
alright, but still couldn't see the crack in the hose.  Shot more air
in there and this time the tiniest of white threads from the
reinforcement surfaced where the air is coming out.

Yes folks, I'm a believer on the replace your fuel lines bandwagon,
but one site recommended that they be replaced every 3 years.,  Even
at $5 a foot, that's an expensive maintenance item.  I'd like some
hose that will last longer than that, kinda like the factory hose did
and the 30R9 is spozed to hold up to the new fuel combinations better
than the old stuff.

Thanks