7 replies to this topic

[minimininut]

Hi guys,


I bought Arthur (1988 Austin Mini 998cc) a few years ago when he came with an already fitted 'Stage One Kit' including a HIF38 carb and a different exhaust manifold (sorry, can't remember details of which manifold off the top of my head)

Short version: I'm interested in solutions for safely routing the fuel for a 998 with a 'stage one kit' fitted.

Long version: Arthur has developed a fuel leak because of perished hose and the garage I have taken him to (who are relatively new to me) are saying that the entire set up of hoses and pump is dangerous because the fuel pipes are apparently too close to the exhaust manifold and therefore pose a fire risk. They are also telling me that I have the wrong fuel pump for this set up because it is mechanical and that I need an electric pump (looking at posts on here this seems unlikely and I don't quite know whether they are saying that it needs it to go with a stage one kit, or just to be able to move the pump and make more space for safe fuel pipe/hose arrangements).

They're doing that mechanic thing of sucking in their breath and telling me it'll cost me a fortune and take forever to reroute it all and fit an electric pump. I'd really appreciate your opinions on what the garage have said and also your set ups and how to arrange the fuel pipes safely?

Please and thank you

For info - the fuel pipes that have perished were SU braided fuel pipes fitted less than two years ago when the even more dangerous set up that was on there when we bought him was replaced!! Odd, and disappointing.

Edited by minimininut, 28 May 2012 - 09:17 PM.

[gus88]

I was concerned about how close the fuel pipe was to the manifold on my car so I replaced it with some new hose looped up and across the bulkhead and secured to it by clips, with just enough slack to deal with engine movement.

Passed the MOT and hasn't caught fire yet.

[icklemini]

the garage is talking nuts...

[jaydee]

Short version: I'm interested in solutions for safely routing the fuel for a 998 with a 'stage one kit' fitted.

Best option is to use the standard steel pipe or use a copper fuel line. connect with a rubber hose (suitable for unleaded fuel and give a look at the production date, you dont want to buy old stock rubbish!) to the fuel pump and then to the carb.

Long version: Arthur has developed a fuel leak because of perished hose and the garage I have taken him to (who are relatively new to me) are saying that the entire set up of hoses and pump is dangerous because the fuel pipes are apparently too close to the exhaust manifold and therefore pose a fire risk.

You need at least 1" clearance between exhaust manifold and fuel line. An entire braided hose line from the pump to the carb sounds BAD.

They are also telling me that I have the wrong fuel pump for this set up because it is mechanical and that I need an electric pump (looking at posts on here this seems unlikely and I don't quite know whether they are saying that it needs it to go with a stage one kit, or just to be able to move the pump and make more space for safe fuel pipe/hose arrangements).

Thats TOTAL RUBBISH.
You standard mech pump is perfect, no need to replace a pump just to route the fuel lines.

[bmcecosse]

Stay well away from that 'garage' - they are trying to rip you off. Mechanical pump is best by far for your set-up.

[minimininut]

Thank you very much guys for helpful responses.

The guy who works at the garage used to race minis - they were really unwilling to deal with the problem at all and then this is the solution they suggested. But as soon as I searched 'electric fuel pumps' and the posts I found said that you are unlikely to need one alarm bells started ringing. I genuinely think that it is less about them trying to rip me off and more about not really approving of, or understanding, stage one modifications on a road going car that is my daily driver.

I will ask them to do a temporary fix so he is drivable and then find a different solution using super duper brand new rubber hose and a double check that all is a safe distance from the exhaust manifold one way or another.

Cheers again

[minimininut]

Right, I've managed to get him to replace the dodgy fuel hose so that I can drive Arthur and he's not leaking.

His argument is that the small rubber hose (the tiny one that's about an inch long) that connects from the mechanical fuel pump to the metal fuel line (that then feeds up behind the engine sort of against the bulkhead) is dangerous because of the multibranch manifold which will get very hot and is very close to that small piece of hose if it comes loose.

So his issue with safety is surely the same for all minis with stage one kit - if anyone has considered this dangerous and/or found a way round it I'd be interested to hear. . .

Edited by minimininut, 29 May 2012 - 03:34 PM.

[Spitz]

If (!) you really wanted to change it, you could redirect the fuel outlet from the mechanical pump up the left side of the carb so it doesn't cross the exhaust manifold.
If your mechanical pump is the type that you cannot redirect the outlet, then they are available ( there may also be one available already pointing that way ).

But the factory thought it was fine the way yours is....the short length of hose is , in relative terms, quite far from the manifold down pipes. Now, if you were using a rubber fuel line to get up to the carb....that would be a different story