Potential Trouble

gandalf

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It's good, every now and again, to go out and just stare at your engine. You can see all sorts of things, come up with new inspiration.

Today I noticed a dark line on the outside of one of my v-belts. That caught my attention, my curiosity. It didn't take long to find the cause. The low pressure line between the power steering pump and the hydroboost unit was rubbing on a pulley wheel and belt. It hasn't quite worn through to the fluid, but it doesn't have far to go. I guess I'm in the market for a now hose line.

It's a 3/8 line. Do I need to find the specific line, purpose made and shaped, or can I use a generic 3/8 line as long as I don't kink it?

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chillman88

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The low pressure return line?

As long as it's rated for transmission fluid it should be fine. Could always just splice the line with a barbed coupler too.
 

Selahdoor

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Brass barbed coupler.

Line says "return", so it isn't a pressure line.

But then, I can't see both ends of the line, so who knows. If the end of the line is metal, and is bolted on both ends... Pressure. If it is clamped... No pressure.

Got a pic of the ends?
 

gandalf

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Transmission fluid? Is that what I have in the hydroboost brake system? Then again, there is an equal chance for Power Steering Fluid. Does the hydroboost unit keep the steering fluid separate from the brake fluid?

I may be in luck on the hose. I found ~12 feet of hose in the truck, in the back seat of course. It is "Gates 4219XL Fuel Line PCV/EEC 3/8 50 PSI" Will that work on the power steering system?

On Edit: It's clamped on both ends. It is a low pressure line. There are two other lines which have metal ends, threaded.
 

Selahdoor

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Ok, low pressure side. Cut the line right there. Insert double ended barbed hose fitting. Clamp onto the fitting. Done. Now do something to hold the line away from the pulley. :D

By the way, good catch!
 

gandalf

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If the hose I have is suitable I'd prefer to just replace the whole length rather than splice it. For one thing, I'd have to go out to buy a fitting, and I already have this hose.

Gates says it is "standard fuel and oil line, suitable for low pressure hydraulic oil, engine oil, tank vent, crank case vent, or coolant bottle. "
 

Selahdoor

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I'd use the hose without a qualm.
 

gandalf

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The answer to my question is that the fuel line will work for a while, but not too long. It's not recommended. In a pinch, on the road, fine, it will get you home, but plan on replacing it before too long.

My local parts store has the line I need for power steering and transmission fluid. They'll be happy to sell me some at only $3.10 per foot.
 

chillman88

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The answer to my question is that the fuel line will work for a while, but not too long. It's not recommended. In a pinch, on the road, fine, it will get you home, but plan on replacing it before too long.

My local parts store has the line I need for power steering and transmission fluid. They'll be happy to sell me some at only $3.10 per foot.

Yeah I don't know the specifics but ATF/power steering fluid eats fuel line. Sounds backwards to me but I'm certainly no chemist!

It's pricy stuff, and I'm cheap, hence why I recommended a $2 barb coupling :p

It's only like 2-3ft long though, so that's not horrible.
 

Scotty4

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Yeah I don't know the specifics but ATF/power steering fluid eats fuel line. Sounds backwards to me but I'm certainly no chemist!

It's pricy stuff, and I'm cheap, hence why I recommended a $2 barb coupling :p

It's only like 2-3ft long though, so that's not horrible.
Careful dropping rubber tools in ATF too. Lost a dead blow or two.
 
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