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Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:32 am

I've search the forums here and just wanted some additional weight in from experience as I'm about to replace the fuel lines in my 1600 61 bug. Which fuel line is best to replace - rubber or braided cloth? I know that the lines need to be rated for the 10% ethanol and it's about 5ft give or take to do the whole car, but which is better for Texas weather which is dry humidity in the summer coming up and good rain fall.

Also correct me if I'm wrong but the size is a 5mm? I just called auto zone and they gave me 3/16, 1/4 and 5/16 sizing.

Thanks

Mas

Thu Mar 08, 2018 1:23 pm

Not 100% sure on size, but the fuel tubing on my 65 beetle looks about 5mm. I ordered some 'braided German' fuel hose online and it was junk within a year (of daily driving). All fuel line is braided.. the smooth stuff just looks newer because the braid is covered with rubber.

Thu Mar 08, 2018 1:30 pm

Stock cloth has been fine with somewhere over 400,000 miles of driving ACVWs between us.

Did three years in the USAF in Texas and plenty of ethanol fuel over the years here in the PNW way before it became standard issue at the pumps.

Just got to replace flex fuel lines every two to three years depending on how much you drive it.

Thu Mar 08, 2018 1:34 pm

mas00 wrote:

Also correct me if I'm wrong but the size is a 5mm? I just called auto zone and they gave me 3/16, 1/4 and 5/16 sizing.

Mas

You're not wrong. It is 5mm. Auto Zone just has shitty listings.

Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:38 pm

thanks for the replies.

Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:06 pm

I used to only buy the German braided hose. It has the “Chinese finger trap” feature that helps it to grab onto the metal fittings on the carb and fuel pump, etc.. Unfortunately that hose never evolved to cope with modern, ethanol-laced fuels. So I’ve had to look elsewhere. I found these two high quality fuel hoses:
https://www.belmetric.com/multifuel-hoseethanol-ap...0ik8qnftp7
http://www.volksbolts.com/FuelHose/index.htm

The belmetric hose is more pliable but the volksbolt hose has a better fit being 5.6 mm

Hope this helps

Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:45 pm

Get rubber fuel Line rated for fuel injection use.

Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:39 pm

I have used some "German" braided fuel line that has lasted for a very long time. I also used some on a project recently that failed after one season of use. This was Continental branded made in Germany hose as well. It just seems quality is extremely variable these days. My last project used Gates Barricade, and I really hope it is going to last. I would rather use the braided hose for its original appearance, but it seems you just cannot trust it anymore...

Fri Mar 09, 2018 5:12 am

I started to lose my love for stock braided cloth hose many years ago when I examined some used hose that was cracking for the outside-in!

Fri Mar 09, 2018 9:22 am

I never have a problem with braided hose.
I also never put ethanol fuel in my VWs unless it's on a road trip.

Fri Mar 09, 2018 9:39 am

I have plenty of Bellmetric 5mm ID fuel line but it's way too tight. Go with 5.5mm ID diameter and use the proper clamps.

Fri Mar 09, 2018 11:58 am

I will NOT use the cloth covered fire hose..

Much better fuel line has been developed since 1938.... and is easily available at most FLAPS..

.

Sun Mar 11, 2018 9:35 am

SAE rated hose, 30R9 specification is lined to resist todays fuel. liner inside is a teflon like material. the mandated oxygenated fuels will not harm it.

1/4 inch is a bit big, but will work fine with proper hose clamps. used the solid band type, not the serrated type. serrated type will allow the rubber hose to extrude thru the holes, loosening the clamp.

Also see safety wire information on link below this post.

Good Luck, Bug On!

Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:01 am

What happens if the hose is too tight? I know the one I have on mine is hard to take off every time I change the fuel filter. I don't know the size of the hose but it is the cloth braided one

Jody '71 wrote: I have plenty of Bellmetric 5mm ID fuel line but it's way too tight. Go with 5.5mm ID diameter and use the proper clamps.

Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:12 am

vwgirl1961a wrote: What happens if the hose is too tight? I know the one I have on mine is hard to take off every time I change the fuel filter. I don't know the size of the hose but it is the cloth braided one

Jody '71 wrote: I have plenty of Bellmetric 5mm ID fuel line but it's way too tight. Go with 5.5mm ID diameter and use the proper clamps.

if too tight, removal can loosen the fittings the hose is attached to. see link below on engine fires and safety wire, then you will know the end result of loosened fittings.

Bug On!

Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:21 am

Maybe this is why the end the attaches to the carb is wet with fuel? My carb is an aftermarket one and someone said the float in it may be stuck which is causing the problem. I am taking my car to my mechanic hopefully this morning. Thanks

bluebus86 wrote: vwgirl1961a wrote: What happens if the hose is too tight? I know the one I have on mine is hard to take off every time I change the fuel filter. I don't know the size of the hose but it is the cloth braided one

Jody '71 wrote: I have plenty of Bellmetric 5mm ID fuel line but it's way too tight. Go with 5.5mm ID diameter and use the proper clamps.

if too tight, removal can loosen the fittings the hose is attached to. see link below on engine fires and safety wire, then you will know the end result of loosened fittings.

Bug On!

Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:52 am

vwgirl1961a wrote: What happens if the hose is too tight? I know the one I have on mine is hard to take off every time I change the fuel filter. I don't know the size of the hose but it is the cloth braided one.

You want it tight, or it is just going to fall off. The German fuel line is designed to tighten when pulled just like Chinese Finger Cuffs. So just like CFCs one pushes the ends of of the fuel line to get it to loosen and slide off. A flat tip screwdriver works well for this. Otherwise slice the end open and cut off a chunk of fuel line each time or just replace the length.

You do want hose clamps on the line between the fuel pump and carb. VW issued a tech bulletin about this to avoid having the line come loose from the pressure between those two points.

Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:37 am

Eric&Barb wrote: vwgirl1961a wrote: What happens if the hose is too tight? I know the one I have on mine is hard to take off every time I change the fuel filter. I don't know the size of the hose but it is the cloth braided one.

You want it tight, or it is just going to fall off. The German fuel line is designed to tighten when pulled just like Chinese Finger Cuffs. So just like CFCs one pushes the ends of of the fuel line to get it to loosen and slide off. A flat tip screwdriver works well for this. Otherwise slice the end open and cut fuel line each time.

You do want hose clamps on the line between the fuel pump and carb. VW issued a tech bulletin about this to avoid having the line come loose from the pressure between those two points.

THANK YOU! Nice to know someone else knows about this bulletin besides me.

Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:08 am

Helfen wrote:
THANK YOU! Nice to know someone else knows about this bulletin besides me.

You are welcome! Tried to find it this morn, but have so much packed away due to our years on going house rebuild. It is actually a Workshop Bulletin, not Technical.

Tue Nov 13, 2018 5:00 am

When I change the hose I make it longer by a few inches. Then, when I need to change a filter or whatever I can just cut it off. I make a lengthwise cut with a razor knife at the end of the hose near the filter ,then cut that portion of hose off. I use wire cutters , which make a clean cut. When reinstalling I dip the end of the hose in boiling water for about 30 seconds or so before pushing it on. It expands the rubber so you won't have to struggle getting it back on. Still using the braided stuff.