Fuel Line

[ian.mac]

Has anyone got experience of replacing the fuel line that runs underneath the car? I am after the internal diameter so I can get replacement pipe. I understand that the engine and gearbox need to come out in order to get proper access to it. May consider putting in copper pipe work with flexible pipe/connections at either end if this will save having to do it again in the future.

Any thoughts?

Cheers, Ian

[excel tel]

I used 8mm or 5/16 id unleaded rubber fuel pipe,been told & tend to agree that the pipe that lotus used is rock hard and never really need replacing,but had already cut through mine so had to be replaced.
I fitted mine to a completely bare chassis so nice and easy to fit in my case. you might be able to reroute maybe alongside front to rear brake pipe to make it easier.

Cheers, Terry

[amarshall]

Copper corrodes too.

[Pete Boole]

And work-hardens with vibration. You can get plastic-covered aluminium tubing that uses flared fittings to join onto a flexible hose. Have a look at Think Automotive's website.

Pete

[NickC]

Has anyone found a source for some thin wall pipe to replace the outer sheath on this fuel pipe, I think inner dia of 9.5mm. I know it will have to be cut longways to get it over the existing pipe but could almost then be glued back on to itself as long as the glue didn't adhere to the inner PTFE based pipe.

[smithersoli]

Just replaced mine with some brand new injection spec 8mm fuel line. With engine and gearbox out it wasn't difficult just a little fiddly at times. It runs through a few holes on the inside of the side of the chassis above the chassis and diff mount and then through a hole into the boot. I would suggest it's possible with engine in situ, but you might need to drop the exhaust for room in places. Was helpful to attach the line to the end of the old one with a tight fitting coupler to pull it through, or you could tape a piece of string to it and then use that.

Intention is to fit fuel injection in the future, so will probably run a second line in a similar fashion before mine goes back together.