Vapor Return Line Question
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 540
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From: North Florida
Vapor Return Line Question
Howdy,
I was under the Excursion today to track down a small "knocking" noise underneath. I was pushing around on lines along the driver's side frame rail and found what I think is the knock noise. However, when I pulled on the vapor return lines, the three, short, black hoses that come together at a "T" started crumbling on the outside of them. It is like they are deteriorating on the outside and the black dust (which is hard to wash off by the way) is falling off of them.
Is this a problem? Is this normal wear? Should I be concerned about it?
Other than the rubber hoses deteriorating, the metal lines are all rust free and look fine.
Thank you for any help on this!
James
I was under the Excursion today to track down a small "knocking" noise underneath. I was pushing around on lines along the driver's side frame rail and found what I think is the knock noise. However, when I pulled on the vapor return lines, the three, short, black hoses that come together at a "T" started crumbling on the outside of them. It is like they are deteriorating on the outside and the black dust (which is hard to wash off by the way) is falling off of them.
Is this a problem? Is this normal wear? Should I be concerned about it?
Other than the rubber hoses deteriorating, the metal lines are all rust free and look fine.
Thank you for any help on this!
James
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
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From: North Florida
Thank you both for your replies!
It is probably one of those things that a Plastics Engineer from Gates Rubber Co. would tell me "it is designed to do that, you are good for another 10 years". I think I will go ahead and change them out just for piece of mind.
SDV10,
Could you tell me if those three little hoses are a dealer item, or did you get them somewhere else? I read about having to use hose rated for "fuel vapor" in another thread.
Thank you again!
James
It is probably one of those things that a Plastics Engineer from Gates Rubber Co. would tell me "it is designed to do that, you are good for another 10 years". I think I will go ahead and change them out just for piece of mind.
SDV10,
Could you tell me if those three little hoses are a dealer item, or did you get them somewhere else? I read about having to use hose rated for "fuel vapor" in another thread.
Thank you again!
James
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,758
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From: Colorado
Are the lines near the fuel filter?
I noticed the hoses in the engine compartment related to fuel vapors also doing the same thing. Outside is shedding and you get nice black fingers when you touch it.
Cheap and easy replacement.
I noticed the hoses in the engine compartment related to fuel vapors also doing the same thing. Outside is shedding and you get nice black fingers when you touch it.
Cheap and easy replacement.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 296
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From: Roseville, CA
I used fuel line for all. I was told by parts house that here in California it wouldn't pass smog if it wasn't 'factory form fit hose.' I have passed twice since I replaced them. Fuel vapor? Fuel? I am no scientist or chemist. They both seem the same to me. LOL
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Elder User
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From: North Florida
Thanks guys!
az_r2d1 : It is the hoses down by the fuel filter... I haven't looked at the ones up top yet... I'm sure they are in need of attention also.
SDV10 : Thank you. One quick thought. After reading until my eyes bled about fuel and fuel vapor hoses, it seems as though the fuel vapor lines have a special chemical makeup different than regular fuel line. Was reading on the SuperDuty forums about how regular fuel line will collapse due to vapor. Not sure myself. I take everything with a grain of salt. Just thought I would pass that along so you can keep an eye on yours once in awhile.
James
az_r2d1 : It is the hoses down by the fuel filter... I haven't looked at the ones up top yet... I'm sure they are in need of attention also.
SDV10 : Thank you. One quick thought. After reading until my eyes bled about fuel and fuel vapor hoses, it seems as though the fuel vapor lines have a special chemical makeup different than regular fuel line. Was reading on the SuperDuty forums about how regular fuel line will collapse due to vapor. Not sure myself. I take everything with a grain of salt. Just thought I would pass that along so you can keep an eye on yours once in awhile.
James
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Senior User
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From: Roseville, CA
Yes I do watch them. I just put in my new motor and saw no problems so far. However I am a little leery because the elbow on the throttle body was toast when i pulled the old motor and that was only two years old. The last IAC valve I put in didn't work either. There is something to be said for genuine Ford motor parts. If these lines rot out I'm going with Ford parts to put them back. My saving grace is that I do all the work so no extra labor costs.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
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From: North Florida
Agreed about labor!
I buy genuine Ford parts when I can, but I do 90% of my own labor on everything. It is nice to call the dealership and get a quote for say... upper and lower ball joints on both sides.... then go buy the parts and do it myself and look at how I saved $700.00 in the process.
I buy genuine Ford parts when I can, but I do 90% of my own labor on everything. It is nice to call the dealership and get a quote for say... upper and lower ball joints on both sides.... then go buy the parts and do it myself and look at how I saved $700.00 in the process.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
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From: Colorado
Agreed about labor!
I buy genuine Ford parts when I can, but I do 90% of my own labor on everything. It is nice to call the dealership and get a quote for say... upper and lower ball joints on both sides.... then go buy the parts and do it myself and look at how I saved $700.00 in the process.
I buy genuine Ford parts when I can, but I do 90% of my own labor on everything. It is nice to call the dealership and get a quote for say... upper and lower ball joints on both sides.... then go buy the parts and do it myself and look at how I saved $700.00 in the process.
Extreme example was a timing belt/waterpump job on an older corolla.
Got quotes for close to 1K... I spent less than 100 on parts and did it myself...
Runs like new again.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,758
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From: Colorado
Thanks guys!
az_r2d1 : It is the hoses down by the fuel filter... I haven't looked at the ones up top yet... I'm sure they are in need of attention also.
SDV10 : Thank you. One quick thought. After reading until my eyes bled about fuel and fuel vapor hoses, it seems as though the fuel vapor lines have a special chemical makeup different than regular fuel line. Was reading on the SuperDuty forums about how regular fuel line will collapse due to vapor. Not sure myself. I take everything with a grain of salt. Just thought I would pass that along so you can keep an eye on yours once in awhile.
James
az_r2d1 : It is the hoses down by the fuel filter... I haven't looked at the ones up top yet... I'm sure they are in need of attention also.
SDV10 : Thank you. One quick thought. After reading until my eyes bled about fuel and fuel vapor hoses, it seems as though the fuel vapor lines have a special chemical makeup different than regular fuel line. Was reading on the SuperDuty forums about how regular fuel line will collapse due to vapor. Not sure myself. I take everything with a grain of salt. Just thought I would pass that along so you can keep an eye on yours once in awhile.
James
don't know.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
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From: North Florida
James
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 540
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From: North Florida
Ha! 
Unsure at this point on this one. If I can find the right diameter of "vapor" line somewhere, I'll just cut it to length and use it. Having a hard time finding hose that is rated for "vapor".... rediculous really...
I will probably end up at the dealer counter before it's over with. However, the parts guy at my dealership will find every wrong part under the sun for you unless you take him the pre-printed diagram and highlight the part you need.
James
Unsure at this point on this one. If I can find the right diameter of "vapor" line somewhere, I'll just cut it to length and use it. Having a hard time finding hose that is rated for "vapor".... rediculous really...
I will probably end up at the dealer counter before it's over with. However, the parts guy at my dealership will find every wrong part under the sun for you unless you take him the pre-printed diagram and highlight the part you need.
James
