Just wondering if anyone knew the sizes of the metal fuel rails under the car? One of mine is proving miracles do still exsist by not leaking when there appears to be no metal left, and it needs changing
Havn't got any verniers and would rather have some new pipe to hand before removing the old one.
That sounds about right Jay.
Kitch if you look at Robins threads in his cars thread in the projects section he mentions replacing the fuel lines recently with copper central heating pipe.
Cheers
Luke
Please call me Luke
1989 BX 16valve White 70k almost up to scratch
I can't remember the reasons for it, but I have heard in the past that copper is not recommended for fuel lines, which is supposedly one reason that in cars later than about 1928 they were never used.
I remember years ago we had to make up a swirl pot for a car that was to be used for high performance work and I whacked one up out of copper but was told in no uncertain terms by scrutineers it was not acceptable in copper.
I seem to remember something about conductivity or something. Also, if passed through copper and considering all the alloy parts the petrol would touch, could this also create electyrolysis/static?
I'd suggest checking it out via someone with a better memory than me before you go much further.
theres an an eletrolysis effect from the flow through the pipe, and the petrol slowly breaks down the copper, and copper through the injectors is NOT a good idea!
Seems daft to try to DIY the job when the fuel lines are only £10 each from citroen!
I am almost positive there is a safety issue involved along the lines of it being capable of causing an explosion which is why we were not allowed to compete with a car with copper in the fuel system. As a fridge/air-con mechanic by trade, I've used a lot of it and there is a knack to routing it in such a way so that it lessens the work hardening aspect which invariably leads to splitting.
Maybe that was the reason; if it splits and the car is red hot, she go bang!!:shock:
It seems to be a subject that pops up from time to time and some reckon it's right whilst the technical Teds consider it to be a risk. With the cost of new factory lines, you have to wonder if the risk justifies the cost difference.
iirc the pair of pipes are only around £12 from the dealers matey! i did mine a couple of years ago with genuine pipes, if you can i would go with genuine! (no offence meant bob + rob!)
Timmo
After all i am the Cornish one!
Its Because its French!
Bx16v club - Sharing the love for the unloved!
Right, well I've just picked up a roll of copper pipe from B&Q of all places. Tried at least 243 different motor factors and none could help, and a few said this copper pipe was ok.
Add this to the fact that the Frogeye Spares Co. who are the people we buy our Sprite parts from sell pre-bent fuel pipes in.....copper.
The only thing I'm going to do is earth the pipes to make sure i don't get this static charge. I'll keep an eye out for a better metal, like Kunifer to make some new ones out of, but for the year at least I think it'll just be plain old copper.