Epoxying fuel line?

[orbanp]

Hello Everyone,

I would like repair a steel fuel line that rusted out. The steel pipe is molded into a plastic piece as part of a fuel pick-up assembly.
The ID of the steel line is 1/4", so a 1/4" OD copper pipe would fit into it. Would epoxy be a suitable "glue" to attach and seal the copper pipe to the steel pipe.
I think I can get away with the reduced fuel line ID, but that remains to be seen.
So what kind of epoxy would be suitable for the repair? Would five-minute epoxy be usable?
Any other material for sealing/gluing?
There is very little mechanical stress on the pipe, just the weight of the attached rubber fuel line.

This assembly is on a car and that piece is NLA.
My apologies if this is OT, but the expertise to get an answer seems to be here.
The reason I am asking this question here, that I have heard about fiberglass marine fuel tanks.

Thanks, Peter

 

[Don Hansen]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Copper and steel don't get along well together. The copper will rot. You could try to find some steel line that will fit. Maybe a piece of brake line.

DLH

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Do like the manufacturer did when the part was built. Use a LARGER tube over the small one and run it up to the plastic housing you mentioned. Use J-B Weld rather than epoxy for the bond at the joint.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Never use copper as a fuel line

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

There is a fitting that may work called a compression splice, I've used plenty of them on hydraulic lines. It is about 1/2" long. If you have the room, you could cut out the rusted section and splice in a piece of good line.

 

[rbh]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

If one section is rusted out, I would not trust the rest to hold up to long.
Fuel lines should be one piece steel line until they transpose to flex rubber fuel lines.
I have done the couplers were you do the double seat crimp??? for the fittings, new is better and when/if insurance gets involved over a fire it will save your butt.

 

[orbanp]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Thank you very much for the replies and the ideas!

I am enclosing some pictures.

The pick-up is on '91 VW Golf. The steel lines coming out of the plastic housing are rusted right away, there was nothing to save there, the rusted elbow had pin holes in it. There is nowhere to attach a compression fitting. I just sawed them off.
Here you can see what is left. I just put the sawed off elbows on the pick up to see how bad they were.

This is the other side.

One of the tubes is the return line, there is a short rubber hose attached to that with a hose clamp to go to the bottom of the tank, onto the other tube is attached the transfer pump with an o-ring and spring loaded compression on it. It sort of snaps together, you can see the slots for the catches on the pump housing.

So as far as I can see my only choice is to "stick" a piece of pipe into the hole and "glue" it in. The JB Weld sounds good.
I would not have any problem using a copper pipe, but I think I could use galvanized steel pipe as well.
Why would I worry about a copper pipe for fuel?

Any other comments, ideas?

Thanks again for the help!

Peter

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Looks like you could heat the tubes and twist/pull them out when hot enough.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

why not buy a new sending unit assembly? I would post a parts request on VW Vortex or check Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market and pick up a used one dirt cheap?

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Why not drill out, then seal new line in with epoxy, or bondo.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

^^^That too^^^

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Why not drill out, then seal new line in with epoxy, or bondo.

I recently done this with my Son's Mazda P/U

Carefull cut off flush with the plate, drilled out the remaining, picked out brake line slightly larger and drilled plate so's to press in the new line, bent to shape. JB'd just to be sure all was sealed, pressed and clamped hoses and fired it up. Done.

should be good for another 225K

 

[orbanp]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Thanks for all the replies and help!

I did put in new lines, from a steel brake line, used JB Weld to glue in the tubes.
I was leery about ordering a used part such as this, sight unseen, those are probably rusty too!
I did not drill out the old tubes, I was worried that the plastic casing would shatter. The other reason is that the pipes inside are shaped (bent) a bit, as well as there is a compression O-ring seal on the pressure line. Replacement line might not have sealed well there.
Only disadvantage I have now is a smaller ID.
Here is a picture of the repaired part:

If this does not work well, then I will probably drill it out the old tube sections, glue in new ones, just as suggested, and re-engineer the internal fuel pump connection.

Thanks, Peter

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Good luck.
If there is insufficient fuel delivery, this one does look a lot better than yours.

VW Fuel Sending Unit - PartsPlaceInc.com

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Looks like they cost $184 at Rockauto brand new. For that price I'd get a new one and not have to worry about dropping the tank again if this fix fails.

 

[rbh]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Looks good.

 

[schematic]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Looks like they cost $184 at Rockauto brand new. For that price I'd get a new one and not have to worry about dropping the tank again if this fix fails.

AGREED!

Gents, JB weld will let go. Gas will eventually rott it out. Seal all ""oil and Gas" will stand up for sealing.

 

[orbanp]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

AGREED!

Gents, JB weld will let go. Gas will eventually rott it out. Seal all ""oil and Gas" will stand up for sealing.

Interesting comment! Is it based on anecdotal evidence or on personal experience?
JB Weld states that it will stand up to gasoline and other petroleum products: FAQs ? JB Weld

Peter

 

[LongLine]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Copper & steel lines should NEVER be coupled together. This goes for Fuels, steam, water, air...everything. It's called galvanic corrosion. One of them will eventually develop pin-holes. This goes for all dissimilar metals. They must be electrically isolated from one another and takes a pro to do it correctly. Even then, issues occur. It has nothing to do with chemicals but rather electricity. It only takes mini-volts to get it going. Most fuel lines will attach to the frame or engine somewhere and that's where electricity can enter the picture.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Epoxying fuel line?

Copper should NEVER be used as a fuel line. Anywhere, Anyplace, Any time, NEVER. EVER. Period

I know, it has been done. And I find it in some boats once in a while. I refuse to touch those boats until the copper is replaced with steel or CG approved fuel hose.

Sometimes you just have to be an A__hole. But it can save a boat, and lives.