Fuel Pipes

[GrahamL]

Whilst having a look at my exhaust (see other thread) I noticed, that despite the gallons of anti-rust wax etc the fuel pipes have decided to turn to dust.
They're not leaking (yet) but they really don't look very good, having read on here, more than once, about fuel leaking from them I thought it would be best to replace before it was too late!
Just as a matter of interest I phoned Nissan for a price, I was expecting to be told they would be £1,000,000 each, but to my amazement one was about £40, but the other one was no longer available. Typical, parts are cheap but not available!
So a visit to the local pipe specilaist with the old ones as patterns is in order to get some new ones made up.
My question is (think I already know the answer) does the exhaust, prop-shaft rear sub-frame and fuel tank have to come out to change these pipes? Access to the pipe to body mountings at the rear looks impossible along the side of the fuel tank!
Have read on here that people have just run long lengths of rubber fuel hose instead to make life easier, but don't really fancy the idea of that to be honest.
While typing this have thought about a halfway house idea, what about a long run of braided fuel hose (like braided brake hose material)? In the correct diameter of course.
Will call pipe specialist on Monday to see what choices of pipe material they have and if they do braided lines too (sure they would)
Thanks for listening!!

[drifter_uk]

use copper pipe will cost you no more than £15 (ebay) to replace both lines front-rear and you dont have to remove anything will be easier to do in the air on a lift or do it like i did lying on floor getting wet lol

[GrahamL]

use copper pipe will cost you no more than £15 (ebay) to replace both lines front-rear and you dont have to remove anything will be easier to do in the air on a lift or do it like i did lying on floor getting wet lol

Thanks for reply, replacing with copper should take care of it, no more rust!! Cheap enough too.
Can you really get old pipes out and new ones in from tank upto engine compartment with out taking any major components out?!

[drifter_uk]

yeah you just have to take drivers rear wheel of so you can jiggle them in will no more than half a day to do if that

[GrahamL]

yeah you just have to take drivers rear wheel of so you can jiggle them in will no more than half a day to do if that

Thanks for that info. That's a great relief if that can be done without taking half the car apart.
Is it 8mm external pipe that is needed? As you say plenty of copper pipe on E-bay and also Kunifer type too.

[drifter_uk]

heres the stuff you need http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-8mm-microb...item1c115dd277

youve also got the carbon canister pipes but would recommend ripping them out and joining the pipes at the tank

Would go for 5 meters £17 and you'll get 2 lines out of that

[GrahamL]

heres the stuff you need http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-8mm-microb...item1c115dd277

youve also got the carbon canister pipes but would recommend ripping them out and joining the pipes at the tank

Would go for 5 meters and you'll get 2 lines out of that

8mm it is then, thanks.
Good idea about pulling out carbon cannister pipes at same time, currently joined under bonnet!

[drifter_uk]

[Robbie]

You can just see the clip at the extreme left of this picture. (Thanks to petrol for the picture - from this thread)



It's a pig to get to with the subframe in place and this is the only job I've let a garage do in 9 years of ownership. You can just about feel the clip, but you can't see it. Not sure how everyone seems to get the pipes back into this clip with the subframe in place.

Also, the clips break as soon as you try to remove the pipes.

[GrahamL]

You can just see the clip at the extreme left of this picture. (Thanks to petrol for the picture - from this thread)



It's a pig to get to with the subframe in place and this is the only job I've let a garage do in 9 years of ownership. You can just about feel the clip, but you can't see it. Not sure how everyone seems to get the pipes back into this clip with the subframe in place.

Also, the clips break as soon as you try to remove the pipes.

This is what I was afraid of!!
When I get some time I'll have a go with frame etc in place and see how I get on.
Pipe ordered, so will have parts anyday at least.