5 replies to this topic

[lewBlew]

Evening folks

I had just finished fixing my wind-up window and needless to say the car couldn't leave it five minutes without something else going wrong. I smelt fuel, looked underneath the car and noticed fuel dripping where these two hoses dangling beneath the boot join - see photos.

Can anyone suggest any quick and long-term fixes please?! This a common thing?

[attachment=129618:20120719_200229.jpg][attachment=129619:20120719_200248.jpg]

[lewBlew]

OK..... well I've managed to largely stop the drip with a cable tie but I will need to get this looked at asap, obviously!

Has anyone had a drip here before? Can I cut the ends of the existing pipes and renew the clips or will I need to renew one/both of the rubber fuel pipes as well?

Edited by lewBlew, 19 July 2012 - 10:39 PM.

[liam1288]

not sure mate, looks like the rubber is completely saturated if thats even possible, i would say you could try nip the clips up but youd have to wait for the bubber hoses to dry off before you'd notice and if that doesnt work then they obviously wont dry off... can you get under and check of the hoses have perrished causing the leak?

[lewBlew]

Right..I've had a look and the petrol was seeping from underneath the clip on the hose which goes up to the tank. I couldn't tighten the clips up anymore than they were annoyingly! So guessing the rubber has perished underneath or maybe they were too tight.

Anyway, when it comes to replacing them I'm confused.. why is there a joint here? It's basically one length of rubber hose which comes from the tank, to another length of hose which curls round the subframe to the rear floorpan and connects to the copper line. Should it be just one stretch or is it separate for a reason?

Plus if I am forced to buy replacement hose from Halfrauds for conveniences-sake do I need 6mm, is that the same as 1/4"?

Edited by lewBlew, 19 July 2012 - 10:41 PM.

[tiger99]

As there is a bit of stretch, 6mm and 1/4" hose are interchangeable. Make sure it is proper fuel hose, with the appropriate printed markings, or you may have problems, including MOT.

Your main fuel line ideally should not be copper. It is not as unsafe as copper brake pipe, which fails when you least expect it due to fatigue arising from pressure cycles, as the fuel system pressure is negligible, but it still does tend to become brittle due to low level cyclical stresses due to vibration. And. it reacts with certain fuels. If I recall correctly, those containing alcohol are the main problem, and may result in carburettor contamination. But worry about that the next time you do a major strip-down, it will be ok for a while.

If you check the Somerford Mini web site, you should find pictures of the various fuel lines in the parts catalogue, which will help to show how the lines should be run and joined.

[lewBlew]

Thanks for the info. Sorry, I said copper, I should have said whatever metal fuel line was originally under my car (may be copper may not be)!

Anyway, I'm going to replace both rubber sections of hose going from the tank to just past the subframe with one section to eliminate any weak points. I'm assuming this is how it was in the first place.

Should I get rubber hose and a couple of new clips or is there a stronger option e.g. I've seen braided online.