Is it safe to replace high pressure fuel line with viton fuel hose?
 

I'm in the process of replacing my fuel hoses with viton fuel hoses. I'm stumped if I can should replace high pressure fuel hose that goes from spin on filter to the IP with the viton hose. Let me describe the old fuel hose: it is clear colored, stiff, not flexible. It is not made of rubber, therefore I do not think that biodiesel will degrade it. Should I just leave the pressure hose alone?
If I did replace it with viton (a flexible hose) is that a safe decision??

For example, I am not replacing the cigar hose eventhough it is made of rubber because I can't find cigar hose made of viton. I'll wait until they start making viton cigar hoses.
Thanks ahead of time for your opinions.
Frankie

You don't need hoses made of viton. Brand new OE hoses will hold up to Biodiesel just fine.

Almost all modern fuel injection line is "viton" lined anyway.

Yes, but the question is: Is that hard (plastic?) HIGH pressure fuel line there for an important reason? or can I go ahead and replace it with the viton hose which is not high pressure?? What do you think?
Thanks!!
Frankie

I'm sure it's there for a reason. I wouldn't replace a hard line with a soft line anywhere, anytime.

That's kind of what I was thinking. Justin, do you know which hose I'm talking about?
Frankie

I sure do. There's a few of them and they ain't hoses :D

You wouldn't replace your metal injector lines with viton would you? I consider those plastic lines to be in the same category. I'm not sure what pressure the fuel is at when running through there, but I don't think it's anywhere near as high as the metal lines. I could be wrong, I'm just guessing.

There's not reason to change the hard plastic line unless you are having a problem with it. I have about 20k miles on biodiesel with not problems with the plastic line.

20 K miles of tested miles is better than nothing I guess.
The other thing I was wondering is if I should bother having a thermometer probe installed into that hard fuel line. I plan to run WVO in the summer time for sure but I hesitate about having to splice into the hard line (might crack!) to put the thermo probe there. I'm playing with fire, huh?
I'm thinking of dropping that idea, b/c fear the hard line will crack. I might not need the thermometer but it is more for my peace of mind that the WVO is getting hot enough before getting to the inj.

I want to try to keep it as simple as possible but do not want to coke my injectors either. My indy is installing the spin on fuel filter "coil" heater to a manual on/off switch. I also bought a safety auto shut off sensor at 200 deg F.

High pressure? It's only ~20psi.

Hey Forced-
I loved your other signature better! LOL.
So is the 20psi fact or opinion?
Can a soft vition hose handle that? I'm guessing yes. The veggie oil coming out of the fuel filter will be about 160-180 F max.
Frankie

That's not "high pressure."
 

Frankie,

Your "plastic" line may simply be a form of synthetic rubber that has hardened with age and exposure to fuel. The pressure in the fuel lines other than the IP lines (which are metal, you notice) is not all that great -- 20 psi was mentioned in an earlier post. Viton or OE rubber lines will stand up to the pressure and to biodiesel just fine.

I just went and looked at my car, which is, you will recall, almost identical to yours. The line from the secondary filter to the IP appears to be clear PVC that has darkened with age; it is also rather stiff and probably should be replaced. I have used clear PVC on the return lines and fuel tank sight line of my (biodiesel-powered) tractor with no problems. I suppose a clear line would let you see whether there is air in the fuel lines.

What we need is to hear from someone who knows what kind of line came from the factory. In the meantime, I may replace my old line with a new one.

Jeremy

It's what mine puts out. If it were high pressure, wouldn't there be clamps on the hose ends?

What's wrong with my signature? Do you mean the avatar?

Yes I guess I do mean avatar. VERY funny, I was bobbing my head too!
Hey Jeremy! How ya doin'? Fun weekend, eh?
Frankie

Nah, I still liked the head bobbing bear better. Did you produce that yourself? or did you download it?