Replacing fuel hardline with flex

[Nelsonmd]

So I tried to replace my fuel filter tonight, and it is too far gone with rust to ever come off. For the rear line, the other joints going back towards the tank are also severely rusted, so I don't think I can detach the hard line at all. My thought is to cut the hard line and patch in some flex line.

If I want to cut the hard lines and patch in flex line around the filter, do I need to flare the hard line, or can I just put a hose clamp over it? Also, will it affect the pressure in the line to have flex instead of hard line?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

No idea. But I'm curious. I would think if you ran the same ID flex line as the hard lines are, fuel pressure should be fine. Those filters can be a ***** but you're the first case I've heard of that it wouldn't come off.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

You will need to use fuel injection rated hose and clamps for fuel injection line (different from regular hose clamps). I think it is about 1/4" line (if I remember correctly). You will need to put a flare or bead on the hardline to hold the hose on (keep the hose from sliding off the end of the tubing under pressure), which would be very hard to do. There is quite a bit of pressure (probably 40 PSI) and it will probably blow the line off if there isn't something for the clamps to bear down on (the bead on the tubing).

When I changed the filter on my 98 the lines were rusted. I bought a length of steel fuel line tubing and fittings from the auto parts store, flared the ends, bent it with a tubing bender and made my own. I made the short line from the filter to the hose going to the engine bay, about 12" (the other side was okay). You could probably cut the rear line (with a tubing cutter - remember it's GAS!) and flare that end, moving the filter back an inch or so. You could then make a new line for the front to connect to the existing line at the fitting. That would be best since, as I said, without putting a bead on the hardline, the pressure will probably blow the hose off no matter how tight you get the clamps.

If you want to use hose, you should probably use a compression fitting on the hardline, and then use a barbed fitting to go into the hose. Something like this (just for reference - the line is about 1/4" but is metric, probably 6mm): http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Derale/D13032.html

 

[ledger35]

Same issue here, connection on the forward opening of the fuel filter rusted solid! I ended up ordering the entire line from the engine to the filter (77251-3D140) for thirty bucks and the line from the filter to the tank (77252-35350) for nineteen bucks right from sparks Toyota in myrtle beach sc. online and replaced the entire system DONE!