Hello
My Astra 1.4 (H reg)has had its fuel piping cut with a stanley knife and all the fuel from my petrol tank has disappeared. The piping runs under the car on the driver side next to the brake cable.
It is obviously a robbery of petrol from my car and I was completely flabbergasterred when I spotted petrol pouring out from underneath the car.
I managed to get the car home with a friend towing me.
As a temporary repair I cut a small length of lamp cable that was slightly larger in diametre to the piping that connects the petrol tank to the engine, I then removed the 3 electrical cables inside the lamp cable... and found that it was possible then to put both ends of the cut fuel piping into the lamp cables outer sheath to make a very tight fit. I then sealed the ends with insulation tape.
The Astra's fuel piping was cut 7 days ago. I am still driving my car today since my temporary repair without any problem.
The lamp cable sheathing does not seem to be corroding to the petrol.I have however noticed that the insulation tape (on either end) has started to get sticky when touched.
There is no seemingly obvious leaking of petrol from the fuel pipe since the temporary repair.
My question is....
Would this fail the MOT?
It's due in 3 weeks.
MACK
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Would this fail the MOT?
If it's leaking or it's an obvious bodge, then more than likely it will fail. It all depends on how eagle eyed the inspector is.
If the tape you've used has gone sticky, then it's obvious your repair is leaking.
Personally I would get a piece of copper pipe (which fits snuggly inside the rubber pipe) and a couple of jubilee clips to secure the rubber pipe to the copper pipe. Pennies from any hardware shop. Also a lot cheaper than losing a tank of fuel when your current bodge finally lets go.
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Personally I would get a piece of copper pipe (which fits snuggly inside the rubber pipe) and a couple of jubilee clips to secure the rubber pipe to the copper pipe. Also a lot cheaper than losing a tank of fuel when your current bodge finally lets go.
BEWARE. Of course this time the tank / pipe will NOT be empty.
The best you can do is have a full spare can and meanwhile try to run the tank as low as possible beforestarting the mark 2 fix.
See the recent thread on the hazards of recovering petrol.
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BEWARE. Of course this time the tank / pipe will NOT be empty.
Oops, sorry - forgot to mention that. A way around this is to wrap the pipe in a rag (to avoid damaging it with the next bit I'm about to tell you) , then compress the pipe with molegrips.
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Another idea would be to replace the piece of plastic with an in-line fuel filter(Halfords or local accessory shop);these come with hose clips and other fittings.
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Insulating tape will give way.it will melt it isn`t designed for petrol use.the filter idea as mentioned would be the best way to go but dont rely on the cable sheath as it also is not meant for petrol.it is also much easier to cut if the event happens again.ps you may need to use petrol resistant rubber pipes between joints on the filter.you would be well advised to change it.ie dangerous
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Thanks everyone for your replies. Plenty to think about there.
I am also considering just replacing the entire length of fuel pipe.
Is it easy to get hold of (ie: from Halfords)? or do I need to see a specialist? Also is this a job I could do myself?
Mack
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I am also considering just replacing the entire length of fuel pipe. Is it easy to get hold of (ie: from Halfords)? or do I need to see a specialist? Also is this a job I could do myself?
I got replacement rubber type fuel line from my local motor factor. It was available in different diameters and sold by the metre. It was specifically for fuel and had the spec and other details printed along its length. Give them a call.
I would expect a reasonable sized Halfords to sell it at the spares counter.
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Thanks Henry. did you fit it yourself? And if so is it a fairly straight forward job?
Mack
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The job I did was totally within the engine bay.
I had a leaky pipe so I replaced all pipes as a precaution.
It was a very simple job but I had very easy access.
My post really was to to let you know what to get and that it was sold by the metre. You must get the proper pipe for the job.
Hence it has its details written all along its length.
IIRC my vehicle (Sierra) has a metal pipe(s) for most of the length of the run. The rubber pipe was used at each end where some flexibility was required. So it was a simple push on the rubber and clamp.
You may find you only need a short length from the tank to the pipe.
IIRC a recent post said that the wire type clips are better than Jubilee clips because they apply even pressure where as Jubilee clips can go D shaped in small sizes.
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When I replaced the fuel pipes on my old Astra (admittedly older than yours - Y Reg) the pipes that ran the length of the car from rear to front were metal, I only had to replace a short pipe from the tank to the metal one at the back, and another short one from the bulkhead to the carb at the front. The longest pipes I had to replace were the ones going to the breather/cut off valve in the rear wheel arch to the top of the tank.
If it's non injection (which I guess it is) then you won't need the high pressure pipes, which are more expensive.
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