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Fuel Lines

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neilsenrm(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:06 am Post subject: Fuel Lines

A couple of years ago I replaced most of my fuel lines with black automotive fuel lines but retained some clear lines where I feel it is necessary. One is used a fuel level sight tube, a short section going into my carbs to view fuel flow during carb priming, and one between the aux tank and the main tanks. The clear lines normally get replaced about every two years when they start to yellow. I also had a few short pieces of blue fuel line seems like they were labeled Air Wolf or something like that. Any way on preflight I noticed a fuel line hanging disconnected behind the seats. On further inspection I found the blue line had broken clean off one of the nylon tee fittings right at the end of the fitting. The fuel line still LOOKS fine and is still the original color and flexible.

  When I was fixing the break another section of this of this blue fuel line attached to the other side of the tee broke off in my hands!!!!

  

 This fuel line is maybe four years old and is in the back of the fuselage in a location that doesn't get any sun light on it so it wouldn't be caused by UV rays. I'm a bit surprised at my self that I hadn't replaced all the blue fuel line before this but???? Any way I will be removing ALL that blue crap before I fly again. 

   

 Please inspect or replace any of the blue Air Wolf fuel line that you may have in your airplanes.

  

 Rick Neilsen

 1st Redrive VW Powered MKIIIC 

  [quote][b]

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John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:29 am Post subject: Fuel Lines

I quit using plastic fuel line many years  ago.

  

 Plastic line works great on lawn mowers, but not  worth a damn on airplanes.

  

 The standard answer for plastic fuel line use is to  see the fuel inside the line????

  

 I use high grade black neoprene fuel line.   Last many years and does not fall off the fittings.

  

 john h

 mkIII

 [quote]    

    

   Please inspect or replace any of the blue Air Wolf fuel line that you    may have in your airplanes.

    

   Rick Neilsen

    

[b]

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_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

Dana

Joined: 13 Dec 2007
Posts: 1047
Location: Connecticut, USA

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:59 am Post subject: Fuel Lines

At 10:06 AM 6/15/2010, Richard Neilsen wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  ...I also had a few short pieces of blue fuel line seems like they were labeled Air Wolf or something like that. Any way on preflight I noticed a fuel line hanging disconnected behind the seats. On further inspection I found the blue line had broken clean off... 

 Please inspect or replace any of the blue Air Wolf fuel line that you may have in your airplanes... 	


 I know John and some others don't like the clear fuel line, but I do.



 However, the blue line that Aircraft Spruce sells (which they list as "Bing alcohol resistant fuel line") is clearly not the same as the blue line that Airwolf sells.  I have purchased both, and they're visibly different.  The ACS stuff is darker colored, firmer, and seems to hold up better.  Either way, i replace all plastic fuel lines once a year when I do my annual maintenance and inspection.



 I also have some of the yellow Tygon as a sight gauge, but only because the blue line isn't available in the required size (5/16" ID).



 -Dana

 

 --

  I don't trust a government I can't shoot back at.    [quote][b]

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by0ung(at)brigham.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:55 am Post subject: Fuel Lines

 	  Quote: 	
		  ...I also had a few short pieces of    blue fuel line seems like they were labeled Air Wolf or something like that.    Any way on preflight I noticed a fuel line hanging disconnected behind the    seats. On further inspection I found the blue line had broken clean off...    

Please inspect or replace any of the blue Air Wolf fuel line that you may    have in your airplanes... 	
 

 	  Quote: 	
		  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  
	


 i used the fuel line that came with the  kit,,,,  bought some more plastic line from the local bike/snowmobile  shop.     the bike shop stuff went hard and  brittle.    and the original stuff stayed  soft,,,,,,,    BUT   i could not keep it from  leaking.    i was using the black plastic clamps that attach with  a pair of pliers,    when i used the faucet pump   (4psi)   they leaked past the tube and fitting where the clamps had  the overlap joint.  guess i never checked for leaks with just the  mechanical pump  of the 912.  it should have been near the same  pressure as the faucet pump.    i started looking for leaks when  the carbs started staining.

  

 replaced with black fuel line from napa    had no problems since.    if i were worried i would put in a low  pressure switch and wire it to the panel.

  

  

 boyd young

  

   [quote][b]

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Dana

Joined: 13 Dec 2007
Posts: 1047
Location: Connecticut, USA

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject: Fuel Lines

At 01:55 PM 6/15/2010, b young wrote:

 ..i could not keep it from leaking.    i was using the black plastic clamps that attach with a pair of pliers...



 I would blame those clamps before the tubing... those things never seemed remotely safe to me.



 I use safety wire instead of hose clamps.



 -Dana

 --

  Of all the forces in the world, only the Federal Government has enough power left to destroy America.    [quote][b]

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Dennis.Kirby(at)kirtland.
Guest

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 6:38 am Post subject: Fuel Lines

Richard Neilsen wrote: 

<< A couple of years ago I replaced most of my fuel lines with black

automotive

fuel lines but retained some clear lines where I feel it is necessary.

.. removing ALL that blue

Air Wolf fuel line that you may have in your airplanes. >>



Rick - thanks for the tip on inferior fuel lines.



Like you, I also replaced all my fuel lines with black automotive

neoprene fuel lines, except for a few short runs (for visual reference),

exactly as you described.  Am using clear tygothane in those areas.

Fortunately, on my plane, all the clear line used in my fuel circuit

(probably 12-14 inches, total) are above the tanks and clearly visible.

Easy to grab & jiggle each one on the preflight. 



Will keep an extra eye on those sections of my fuel line after hearing

your story.



Dennis Kirby

Mark-3, 912ul

Sandia Park, NM

do not archive

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smlplanet(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:06 am Post subject: Fuel Lines

I don't know what experience you have had with the automotive black fuel lines. I have and several others found that if your using a gas and oil mixture that in time you will find small pieces of rubber in your fuel filter. We have gone to the marine fuel lines as they are designed to be used with and gas and oil mixture. Other than a couple clear lines to see a visual flow the rest are all the marine grade fuel lines. The black automotive fuel lines you can not see when they are deterioration on the inside until it is to later.  

[quote] Subject: Re: Fuel Lines

 Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:36:17 -0600

 From: Dennis.Kirby(at)kirtland.af.mil

 To: kolb-list(at)matronics.com

 --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Kirby, Dennis Civ USAF AFMC AFNWC/EN" <Dennis.Kirby(at)kirtland.af.mil>

 Richard Neilsen wrote: 

 << A couple of years ago I replaced most of my fuel lines with black

 automotive

 fuel lines but retained some clear lines where I feel it is necessary.

 .. removing ALL that blue

 Air Wolf fuel line that you may have in your airplanes. >>

 Rick - thanks for the tip on inferior fuel lines.

 Like you, I also replaced all my fuel lines with black automotive

 neoprene fuel lines, except for a few short runs (for visual reference),

 exactly as you described.  Am using clear tygothane in those areas.

 Fortunately, on my plane, all the clear line used in my fuel circuit

 (probably 12-14 inches, total) are above the tanks and clearly visible.

 Easy to grab & jiggle each one on the preflight. 

 Will keep an extra eye on those sections of my fuel line after hearing

 your story.

 Dennis Kirby

 Mark-3, 912ul

 Sandia Park, NM

 do not archive

 =================

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zharvey(at)bentoncountyca
Guest

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:38 am Post subject: Fuel Lines

I've had the same experience with the black fuel lines  deteriorating when used with a fuel/oil mixture.   I won't use them  but use the clear urethane fuel line and do a complete replacement every year at  condition inspection.  Over 500  2 stroke hours without any  issues.  If I were running the oil injection, then I would use the black  fuel lines.

 These comments are not intended to indicate that this is  the the only way to do things, but only to pass on what has worked for  me.

 Gene  in Beautiful Tennessee

 N71RB Fire Star KXP

 [quote]   ---

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