Correct fuel line material from tank, or "so that's where the gas smell is coming from" Options

[rjames]

I just took the gas tank to install a sway bar and of course was going to replace the fuel lines that exit the tank and hopefully solve the problem I've had with gas fumes entering the inside of the car. All of the fuel lines that exit the gas tank are plain rubber 50psi max lines and NOT the ones that have braided fabric on the outside. While they look fine, I'm replacing them anyway.

However, less than 2 years ago I replaced the line that runs between the fuel filter and the fuel pump. It's a made in germany fuel line that has the braided material on the outside. It also REAKS of gas as if it's seaping through the hose. The fuel line is less than 2 years old. What's the difference between the braided covered lines and non/braided lines? They both look to have the same thickness of rubber, is one just more heat resistant? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[rjames]

i've read his post three times and don't see anything about replacing the lines in the tunnel. I read he's talking about the lines under the tank.

Correct. I'm talking about the lines that exit the tank, not the ones that enter the center tunnel.

Any chance that the leaks are coming from the joints? The consensus seem to be NOT to use braid because it can wick gas - the recall for the engine compartment line replaced the braided stuff with rubber.

The smelly fuel line in question is a metric size, and as far as I know it's the correct size. The smell is coming from the entire piece of hose, not just at the connection points. I got the lines from the bug parts store in town a little over a year ago. At that time I also replaced the fuel lines in the engine compartment with high pressure german made fuel injection lines, but they are also of the braided type and look to be made by the same manufacturer (They just say 'made in germany').

The consensus seem to be NOT to use braid because it can wick gas - the recall for the engine compartment line replaced the braided stuff with rubber.

What recall? Should I replace the ones in the engine compartment too? Ugh, that would be a pain. Even the enjectors come with braided lines installed on them.

I would use a line that has an internal liner that is impervous (sp) to our new fuel blends. Parker hose has a teflon type of liner and has a braided core with a high temp exterior.

Might have to check for those... Although the existing non-braided rubber lines that were connected to the tank when I pulled it looked fine and were not emitting any odors...

[swl]

What recall? Should I replace the ones in the engine compartment too? Ugh, that would be a pain. Even the enjectors come with braided lines installed on them.

The recall was way back when. It was in response to engine compartment fires. Perhaps one of the historians can give exact details but my understanding is that the replaced the cloth braided stuff with rubber hoses that have an extra sheath on the outside and put in hose clamps. I've never seen an original so I can't tell you exactly what the 'pre recall' looks like. Well - if truth be known I probably have seen the original because the recall was done on my car while I owned it. No way I can remember what it looked like though.

Jim is right though - it was only the HP lines that were replaced. Braid in the trunk.