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cleaning a solid fuel line
blompod - October 21st, 2003 at 05:10 PM

when I first bought the Ghia the fuel line that runs through the tunnel was so blocked that it took welding wire and high air presure to unblock it. when the air finaly blew through it heaps of shrapnel spat out the end. ancient gummy fuel I suspect. Now the idle jet in the carby keeps blocking. The fuel tank is spotless and the carby is pretty clean so is it comming from the fuel pipe? if so how do you clean it properly? its location would mean you cant change it hey? what about a .22 rifle brush pulled though it and more air?


vw54 - October 21st, 2003 at 05:14 PM

If you can find some stranded wire ... like old cloths line stuff or say 1/16" cable and unbraid it a bit from the end for a few inches and then shove the other end in an electric drill.

Spin it a few times and push or pull through the fuel line.

Make sure its long enough to go front to rear.


Baja Wes - October 21st, 2003 at 05:16 PM

If it was that bad I would've run a new fuel line. Not easy to do (I added two 8mm lines to my tunnel, so I know), but worth it in the end.

My worry would be the line rusting through and causing a fuel leak inside the tunnel. Could be nasty.

To cure the jet blockage problem just run a decent fuel filter before the mechanical pump. It should catch the crap from the fuel line.


vw54 - October 21st, 2003 at 05:24 PM

Your right Wes I was going to something similar but gave the cleaning option.

You could get s few meters of Flexiable fuel line and run that through the tunnel.

Yes a cheap dispossiable fuel filter can do wonders make sure you clamp the ends if you put it on the pressure side of the supply line.


blompod - October 21st, 2003 at 06:22 PM

Thanks guys I'll give it a go, the rusty line, and fuel leak is a worry. maybe a new flexible fuel line is the way to go. Just standard size? will I have to drill another hole back and front to take the new line?


KruizinKombi - October 21st, 2003 at 08:59 PM

My opinion: I don't like the idea of a flexible line running though the tunnel where you can't see it - it will bounce around, causing premature wear, and you won't know about it until the fuel is dripping out under the car. This is why the lines were solid in the first place. :)


1303Steve - October 21st, 2003 at 10:03 PM

Hi

I bought an old bug once that had been sitting around for years, it also kept blocking up the carb with a red tar like substance, the only thing that would move it was metho. I think the red stuff was congelled dye that used to be in super leaded fuel.

1302Steve