Fuel Line

[Jvisconti]

I have a 1969 Fiat 124. Fuel line coming out of gas tank , the rubber is dry rot and just broke apart. Replaced new hose from copper line and cut the original hose as close as I could to fuel tank and connected with metal fuel line. All fuel drained out of line, does the fuel line now need to be primed (cannot get gas to carb) or can I suspect damage of rubber line inside gas tank itself too.

[klweimer]

I sort of doubt there is a rubber line inside the gas tank, but there is a fuel pick-up with a screen that may be plugged with gunk. You might pour a small amount of gas into the carb and see if you can get the engine to start. That will normally run the fuel pump long enough to pull gas up from the tank. (assuming mechanical fuel pump) Generally, all the hoses on these vehicles should be replaced at this point if original, as they are all crapped out after 30-40 years. Don't forget the hose from the filler down to the tank. A good project is to pull the tank and have it cleaned or replaced. It will save a lot of heartache.
Kirk

[Jvisconti]

Thank you much . That will have to be next weekend project. Will let you know out come. Thanks again for your advice.

[DieselSpider]

Just a note on using copper tubing in an automobile. Its not the best choice since it can get brittle and leak or possibly shear off from road and engine vibration. Automotive grade metal tubing or rubber fuel line would be the best choice. When you add copper you also chance setting up electrolytic or galvanic reactions in the system.

[Jvisconti]

What I used, new rubber hose to replace old brittle hose, (that I thought was a copper tubing fuel line) I did use a brass (ribbed) connector to connect new hose to old hose with clamp ( which I cut as close to Fuel tank as possible, as was afraid to yank out of tank, don't know how far or whats behind it, this hose is close to top of fuel tank.) Was hoping to find a schematic of inside of tank. Will try putting gas in carb and see how far this gets, if anytihing will try and use a a baster to put gas in line. Thanks for your help

[DieselSpider]

This is the fuel tank for a 69 and all the rubber hoses are connected to metal nipples that are welded to the tank or part of the fuel gauge sender module. The fuel pickup hose should not be something squeezed through a hole in the tank and if it is you would do well to put it back to whats shown below even if it mean purchasing a new pickup unit or replacing the tank.


http://www.autoricambi.us/product/FU8-4 ... --1966-69/


http://www.autoricambi.us/product/FU3-4 ... e-Over-20/

[Jvisconti]

Wow! This is most helpful, makes alot of sense, but there is no npiple coming out of tank except for the remaining hose, unless the nipple is inside of tank, as when I push the connecting metal tube it will only go so far. Thank you at least I know what to look and feel for. I so much want to get this car running for the fall, its so enjoyable to run around with top down, spring and fall best time for a rag top. Thank you once again this will help!! The pic's are so helpful

[Jvisconti]

And thanks for the website to purchase. Most helpful, I just might replace tank

[RRoller123]

You will likely find their customer service to be the best in the business.

[DieselSpider]

None of the hoses to my knowledge should be just pushed through but should instead be clamped to a fitting on the tank. They may do that on a 25cc powered weed trimmer for ones yard but not on the fuel tank for a car. Possibly a previous owner made a dangerous modification after breaking off the metal fuel pickup tube.

The float assembly for your fuel gauge shown in the first picture which mounts in the big round hole in the top of the tank has the fuel line nipple on it that your fuel pump should be drawing from. The rest of the fittings that are part of the fuel tank are for the fuel filler, vapor recovery, vent and return flow hoses that should fit over them and be secured with hose clamps.

[Jvisconti]

Looking close at the photo, the there are two nipples that come out of tank on top. The hose I'm referring to is the one that comes out on the side, maybe an inch or two from top?, which I noticed in picture, now is that a return hose that goes back to tank. That is the one that drained out. It seems like a metal tube comes from top of tank. One other thing is when I had some work done on this 124 about 3 years ago or more. my mechanic put in a electric fuel pump, (he is no longer here) is there something else I have to do to prep fuel line? Thank you for your reply once again

[Jvisconti]

Going back to line two and three of reply, that hose is the one that got brittle, crack and fell apart that I replaced