Greetings to all this is my first post to the forum. I have a leak in my braided stainless steel fuel line behind the power steering pump resevoir bracket. The vehicle is a 1998 Explorer, Eddie Bauer edition, 4.0L SOHC

I took the car to the dealer for replacement due to time constraints. When I dropped the car off I was quoted $242.00 for parts and $224.00 for labor. After looking at the car they told me I have a dead battery and the lines are $450.00 + $460.00 (labor) + $150.00 for the battery. I told him to forget it and went to pick up the vehicle. When I got there they had already changed the battery (without my OK) and my total was over $300.00. I told him to put the old battery back in, but surprise surprise they had already disposed of the old one. I ended up paying $90.00 for the battery and a $112.00 diagnostic charge (even though I showed them exactly where the leak was. What a bunch of HOGWASH. I am in the process of filling a complaint with the state to try and get the $112.00 back.

Anyway since this guy is obviously not to be trusted I have decided to try and replace or repair the lines myself. Per the dealer the line cost $450.00 + for a set of 2 lines, even though I do not need the return line. I used to do a lot of work on cars, but it has honestly been years. I need to save some $$ since I just put a new fuel pump in, and equipped the vehicle for towing. This has been a great truck and I want to keep it running well.

Does anyone know:
1) Can I repair the leak by splicing the standard high pressure rubber fuel line?
2) Does anyone make an aftermarket line? If yes who?
3) Does anyone have step by step instructions for the replacement.

Many, Many Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I was quoted $200+ for the two piece pressure-side lines for a 5.0.....

found them at a salvage yard for $60. I don't recommend using rubber hose due to the porential for leaking connections - but that's just one man's opinion.

 

talk to the ford district office.

this is why people distrust dealer service departments so much.

 

i have not looked at the fuel line, but just did the brake lines on a 96. coming out of the ABS valve on the drivers fender, there is a special fitting, then a 6 inch stainless hose, then goes to 5/16 steel line to the wheels. probably cost a fortune. i cut the special fitting off with a few inches of the tube showing, threw away t hose and the rusted 5/16 line, bought new generic line to each wheel and spliced to the origina line at the ABS with a 5/16 compression fitting i got at NAPA. they have special steel high pressure fittings for this use. see whats on each side of the hose and see if something like that will work. all you do is slide the fuel line into the compression fitting and tighten it up, a ferrel squeezes the OD of teh tube and forms a perfect seal. i spent all of $50. to run to all 4 wheels.