Hi,
Recently picked up an 87 TA TPI. Lotsa miles. Did a tuneup and final thing is fuel filter. I know the process of how to relieve pressure and change out the fuel filter but my worry is that the lines and nuts going to the fuel filter are really rusted. I am going to try to remove but my question is if I break the fittings or the line how do I repair? I have never made repairs to fuel injected fuel lines so trying to be proactive. I have soaked everything with pb blaster and going to attemp this weekend. Just wondering if it crumbles what to do next.

thanks alot.

 

I would keep soaking and trying BEFORE you collaps the lines and twist them all to hell. Lock vice grips on the filter nut (part of the filter) and then use a real line wrench on your fuel line nut. Keep working them back and forth and spray a lot until they come apart. If you get it to back off at all, stop and spray it again and then tighten it back up. Keep going loose and then tight until it works out.

If the worst happens, you'll have to take your new filter, match up a new stub piece of flared fuel line and nut to it, and then cut your car's steel line and splice them together with some HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION HOSE from the auto parts store. Don't use regular fuel line.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the above. Think I got it. If i need to cut the pipe what is the proper way to cut fuel lines? Can I use a dremel?

Just dont want to blow myself up.

Thanks

 

The proper way is to pull the fuel pump fuse and run the engine until it runs out of gas. That also helps relieve the pressure in the lines.

A dremel would cut as well as anything, I guess... I would really try not to have to cut the line if I were you...

 

ok..thanks for all your help...I dont want to cut anything I am just thinking the worst may happen and when (if) it does, what my next step would be.

Thanks again...

 

At the plumbing section, there is a small tubing cutter. one that goes around and around with a sharp thin wheel. It is for close quarters. size is about inch by inch, cuts up to 3/8" tubing or so.

Leaves the end rolled in a bit, but that can be opened back up.

Plumbers use them all the time maybe could borrow one?

no sparks no boom.

Open ended wrenches tend to spread and round the hex nut into a perfect circle. They sell speciel Tubing wrenches that don't do that.

Tapping lightly on the soaked hex nut will help the BP. It is the vibration not the hit that helps, so go easy.

The back and forth helps loosen the rust and work the BP into the joint. Dot 3 brake fluid will work also.

 

If you do break the line, Dorman makes a kit to fix it. Advance, Rock Auto, and others carry it.