How to Remove Fuel Lines

There are many reasons you may want to replace the fuel lines in your vehicle, including a worn rubber fuel line and shellac deposits in a metal line. Or perhaps you are not happy with the original routing of the fuel lines and want to change them. Whatever the reason, you can remove fuel lines easily, but there are a number of steps you have to take to ensure that the procedure is done safely. The process is almost identical whether your fuel lines are rubber or metal.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glass jar
• Flathead screwdriver
• Hose plugs
• Small pipe wrench (if needed)
• Mason's line (if desired)

1. Disconnect the negative cable from your battery.

2. Open the access to your fuel pump and fuel tank. Depending on your year and model vehicle, these will be located in different locations. Check your manual for the location and easiest way to gain access to them.

3. Start at the end of the fuel line attached to the feeder line from the fuel tank. The feed line is the metal line that feeds out of the fuel tank and connects to the first part of your fuel lines. Place a glass jar under the connection between the fuel lines and the feeder line. Disconnect the two. Do this by either using a flathead screwdriver to loosen the screw nut on the hose clamp, or using a small pipe wrench to loosen the circular lock nut on the connection between the two. Gas will spill out from both the fuel line and the feeder, so make sure it drains into your glass jar. Pull, twist or prop up the end of the feeder line so there is no risk of additional gas draining out of the fuel tank.

4. Trace the fuel lines to where it connects into the fuel pump. Undo the clamp or fitting holding the line in the pump. Make sure that you have the glass jar positioned under where the line joins the pump. There will still be gas in the line you just disconnected from the fuel tank, but there will also be about half a cup of gas in the fuel pump itself. Be prepared for it to come out.

5. Remove the fuel line from the opposite side of the pump (this is the line that will lead to the engine). Again, be prepared for gas to spill out.

6. Trace your fuel line from the fuel pump to the fuel injection system or carburetor. Disconnect the fuel line from the carburetor or the injection system; don't disconnect the actual fuel injection lines, just the main fuel line that feeds into it. Remove the fuel lines.

Tips & Warnings

• If your fuel lines go under the carpeting or through the body of the car, tie a piece of mason's string to one end so when you pull the line out you pull the mason's string along the same path. This will make it easier to feed a new line through, as you only have to tie the string to it and pull it back through the original path.
• Fuel lines hold not only residual gasoline, but the gasoline fumes as well, so use caution when removing them. Do not smoke, use kerosene heaters or have any other open flame nearby when removing you fuel lines. This will help prevent a potential fire or explosion.

References

• Fuel Line Maintenance

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