Fuel hoses - A Cautionary Tale !
Discussion
I have mentioned this before, but it merits a re-visit from time to time.
Has anyone ever been a bit concerned that the cross pipe from thew bottom of one petrol tank to the other is connected to the bottom of each tank with a totally pathetic un-screened, un-armoured, rubber hose. This hangs down on each side ready to be hit by debris from the front of the car, whacked by speed ramps and attacked by salt and chemicals off the road surface. When the tanks are full, there is also the pressure of several gallons of (possibly warm) petrol pressing outwards against each hose wall.
My car was being serviced when the mechanic put his fist through one of the hoses (not that far away from a very hot turbocharger) and got away with merely being soaked in hot petrol. It could have been spectacularly worse for everyone. (gallons of hot petrol in a relatively small space falling over 2 metres to splatter everywhere as thousands of small droplets. One spark and it doesn't bear thinking about !
Perhaps these hoses should be replaced regularly as a bit of (possibly life saving) preventative maintainance.
Another possible solution would be armoured hoses. This would, of course, also mean that inspection of the hose material itself, would be almost impossible.
Has anyone ever been a bit concerned that the cross pipe from thew bottom of one petrol tank to the other is connected to the bottom of each tank with a totally pathetic un-screened, un-armoured, rubber hose. This hangs down on each side ready to be hit by debris from the front of the car, whacked by speed ramps and attacked by salt and chemicals off the road surface. When the tanks are full, there is also the pressure of several gallons of (possibly warm) petrol pressing outwards against each hose wall.
My car was being serviced when the mechanic put his fist through one of the hoses (not that far away from a very hot turbocharger) and got away with merely being soaked in hot petrol. It could have been spectacularly worse for everyone. (gallons of hot petrol in a relatively small space falling over 2 metres to splatter everywhere as thousands of small droplets. One spark and it doesn't bear thinking about !
Perhaps these hoses should be replaced regularly as a bit of (possibly life saving) preventative maintainance.
Another possible solution would be armoured hoses. This would, of course, also mean that inspection of the hose material itself, would be almost impossible.
Agree... I replaced mine when I replaced the water pump about a year ago. It seemed a bit "hard" and not very pliable as I thought it should be. When compared, the new one was a good tell tail for the wear on the old. I just penciled in a reminder on my shop notes that this hose should be inspected with a time belt change - and replaced as needed.
Good to hear your story did not end with a bang!
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Good to hear your story did not end with a bang!
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
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