Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel Lines!?#!

[MStearns]

Is anyone else constantly changing the fuel lines at the back of the block?? What is the deal I replaced both supply at return at about 88K after they had rubbed a hole in each other. Then I replaced the return line again at 134K. Then the supply at 138K. And now again, I had to replace the return line at 157K. It's not like I'm using cheap hoses. But they seem to deteriorate remarkably fast, particularly the return line. Why can't I get more than 20-40K miles out of these hoses??



Does anyone have a better quality hose out there? I used Goodyear, Gates, etc. . but they all fall apart far faster than I think they should.

 

[HLEschenko]

Use "Coast Guard approved fuel hose" only. Marine stores carry it. More expensive but worth it.

 

[SDrake]

Yes use coast guard approved, but the way the hoses are transitioned from the fittings on the engine to the tubing on the firewall exposes the hoses to a lot of flex. look up from underneath while the engine is running and depending on your idle speed those hoses may just be flexing wildly back and forth. They start leaking exactly at the end of the tube inside the hose. I got tired of changing those suckers so on my second marine hose installation, I installed a sleeve of larger hose over the standard hose.

This sleeve tunes the harmonic frequency to a lower rate so that the motor vibration doesn't get the hose excited any more. I observed that at all engine speeds the hose just sits there with no wiggle other than the flex needed to accomodate engine position changes in the motor mounts. This set up has been going for about 150K miles. I got 30 or 40 K with the oem hose and about 80-90K with the marine, then I modified with the sleeve over the marine hose, - still running 150K later, -- knock on wood.

 

[Missouri Mule]

You can get marine hoses rated for diesel from Foster Truck unless you have boat stores near you.

Click on Dodge or go straight to Marine fuel hose.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I guess I've been lucky, replaced the return hose on my '96 at 355K and have driven 75K since then with no problems.

I don't know how old the return line is on my '98, bought it with 137K and now it's just under 199K. Suppose I should replace it one of these days.