fuel line flush
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fuel line flush
Hi Guys!
I usually post on the 534SD forum, but this is a generic problem and I was hoping to get some quick ideas.
I've got a 35' rear engine bus (gas powered '63 534SD) which had a 50+ year old rusty-as-hell gas tank located in the front. After repeated fuel related road failures I pulled the tank and am in the process of replacing it with a 120 gal. aluminum saddle tank off an old Freightliner.
I'm wondering what the best way to flush about 30 foot of fuel line would be. I imagine that after so many years of pumping rusty gas there would be a lot of sediment/rust laying in the lines?! The filters were constantly clogging up. The lines are routed thru the frame rail down the middle of the bus and would be a nightmare project to remove/replace.
Thanks!
Mike
I usually post on the 534SD forum, but this is a generic problem and I was hoping to get some quick ideas.
I've got a 35' rear engine bus (gas powered '63 534SD) which had a 50+ year old rusty-as-hell gas tank located in the front. After repeated fuel related road failures I pulled the tank and am in the process of replacing it with a 120 gal. aluminum saddle tank off an old Freightliner.
I'm wondering what the best way to flush about 30 foot of fuel line would be. I imagine that after so many years of pumping rusty gas there would be a lot of sediment/rust laying in the lines?! The filters were constantly clogging up. The lines are routed thru the frame rail down the middle of the bus and would be a nightmare project to remove/replace.
Thanks!
Mike
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 37
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mike, just happened to come across your post. and although i'm no expert on the fuel line subject, i'll go with my gut instinct and say i think any effort to save those original lines is a very difficult task. once the coating on the line interior breaks down, ( most likely zinc) the line will continue to decay even when full of clean fuel. there is always some amount of moisture in the fuel system. i.e. rust and constant fuel filter failures. i used to service boiler lines and many other tube systems, and it never fails, once the coating surface of the line is breached, the line would need to be replaced. if new is not an option. consider high pressure air pulses down the line. it will take a pretty good sized compressor, but should remove any loose scale or debris that would otherwise move around during pumping action. again i'm no expert on fuel lines, but i thought i would voice my thoughts.
greg
greg
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Yikes,
Yknow, I didnt realise that those things had a zinc coating that could go bad! Although I got the new tank for a great price, cost isnt really an issue. The damn thing just has to move under its own power! She weighs in around 25k. A big truck wrecker runs $500 hook + miles! The only problem with replacing the fuel line lies with the construction of the coach. Its kind of a 'spine frame' design. Most of the structural strength is in the big metal frame spine that runs thru the center of the bus. Access to this area is really limited to a couple of access panels at intervals along the frame, and is filled with other plumbing that was installed in '57 when she was built. I guess I need to take a closer look at everything. A fuel line re-route may be the answer! I think I'll take the safe course and work on some new line -probably be money ahead in the long run!
Much thanks for the insight guys!
Mike
Yknow, I didnt realise that those things had a zinc coating that could go bad! Although I got the new tank for a great price, cost isnt really an issue. The damn thing just has to move under its own power! She weighs in around 25k. A big truck wrecker runs $500 hook + miles! The only problem with replacing the fuel line lies with the construction of the coach. Its kind of a 'spine frame' design. Most of the structural strength is in the big metal frame spine that runs thru the center of the bus. Access to this area is really limited to a couple of access panels at intervals along the frame, and is filled with other plumbing that was installed in '57 when she was built. I guess I need to take a closer look at everything. A fuel line re-route may be the answer! I think I'll take the safe course and work on some new line -probably be money ahead in the long run!
Much thanks for the insight guys!
Mike
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