fuel line question...

[derekp]

38 deg F here last night (warm by some standards) and my car is sucking air so badly in the fuel inlet when cold that I can not rev the engine up at all (throttle has not effect!) til I get it warmed up.

Nice surprise in driver-turned-project eh?

I thought I had resolved all my air problems when I found a sticking fuel line check valve and removed it.

Anyway, I picked up some nylon clear line and I'm going to try replacing the feed line from the water separator (I'm removing the water separator too) to the filter up front.
My question is this - what kind of "soft" line can I use to transition to the filter and to the connections I need to make back near the tank?

Does neoprene fuel line stand up to diesel?
Do I have to go get some kind of hydraulic line to make the soft connections?

thanks!

[zukgod1]

Pretty much any fuel line will work back there.
If you planning on running Bio at all make sure you get some BIO safe line, aside from that nothing special.

[derekp]

uh, ok so whats "bio safe"
All the auto parts houses typically sell is neoprene

[zukgod1]

Neoprene is fine.

[blkboostedtruck]

they say viton is the stuff to use with bio fuel!
i been using vynal from a hardware store and just replace it when it gets dark and hard! i just use it because it's cheap but i don't recommend it!
Duane

[monomer]

goodyear "fuel injector line" is bio-friendly

it's corrugated with a blue lining. most autoparts stores stock it. usually about $5/ft.

[blkboostedtruck]

somebody once told me that a motorcycle shop would carry clear fuel line!
i'm sure it would be bio safe? wouldn't you think?
Duane

[theman53]

They sell the same type of stuff that the chain saw shops sell....It is pretty good. That is about all I will use if I have a choice. I think it is Viton, it doesn't like to be taken off after 5 to 6 months and put back on injector return lines. For anything you could hose clamp it would be fine. Stays nice and flexible.

[arb]

(I'm removing the water separator too)

I'd keep the water separator / filter. If you get any water in your IP, you'll wish you hadn't. Fix the air leaks and the separator / filter will work as designed.  You will get water in your fuel at some point, if not from you filling the tank, then condensation in a tank that isn't full.

[arb]

Good example of why to keep your water separator

http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=17308

[derekp]

Well, mine has physical damage to it - the drainvalve knob is cracked which makes it difficult to open/close.
Any ideas on where a suitable replacement can be obtained? (local VW is pretty much out of the question - they just are pretty bad at parts lookups)

[zukgod1]

Just take it off. Todays fuels RARELY get water contaminated.
I removed mine over a year ago. I had the OE filter that had a water drain built in so I check it at about 6 months and there was zero water in there, this was over a season change as well so the temps were drastically different as to condensation concerns.

I've sense added a filter from a Dodge Cummins, 2000 ish year but not because it has a water drain but because the filters are available everywhere.

[arb]

Well, mine has physical damage to it - the drainvalve knob is cracked which makes it difficult to open/close.

That's likely your source of your air leak. Yes, you need to replace it. Bypassing it to test will prove this, and if it is for a short time your risk of wiping your IP is small.

BUT Wait !!  Your drain valve is at the bottom of the filter / water separator ? Mine is. When you replace the fuel filter you get a new knob. How old is your fuel filter ?

Fram P8043 for $11.83, or a Purolator F60152  for $19.95 - both include the filter, water separator, and new drain knob. Much easier than removing your filter assembly. I got mine from Murrya''s Discount Auto - http://shop.oreillyauto.com/Default.aspx

[derekp]

yeah. I thought this would yield some responses...
The 92 jetta (as I presume all MkIIs have) has a water separator back near the right rear tire.
That is the water separator I'm talking about removing.
My fuel filter is the stock "heated" fuel filter that has 4 lines in/out of it.
Yes, it has a drain on it. Yes, I replace it regularly (In trying to diagnose this air problem. I replaced a 6 month old filter - cut it open and saw how little dirt was in it as well as no water in it)

So no - I'm not tossing away my filter/separator, I'm removing the separator thats "out back" near the fuel tank.
I'd gladly replace it with a new one if I could find a non-VW source for one.
Else, its history.
thanks!

[arb]

Ah !! Thanks for making it clear. Yeah, I'd wack it too. The one up front should be enough protection.