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Nov 12, 2015 3:18 pm
Lagondanet Offline
Member
Registered since: Dec 14, 2007
Location: -


Subject: Rapide: rubber pipe between fuel tanks
For Rapide owners out there...

Has anyone 'upgraded' this pipe. I have been asked the question by someone who is concerned about the degrading of the old rubber pipe by additives in modern fuel.
 

Nov 12, 2015 4:15 pm
David Offline
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Registered since: Feb 05, 2011
Location: -


Subject: Re: Rapide: rubber pipe between fuel tanks
Hi Roger, interesting question! 90% or more of the interconnecting pipe is actually steel with the ends linked to the tanks by quite thick rubber/plastic hose held in place by jubilee clips. It would be my preliminary view that other components of the fuel system would be more vulnerable to modern fuel, such as old fuel pipe, carb diaphragms and fuel pump seals etc. That said, original tank hoses are now 50+ years old and could be suffering a variety of different problems.
 

Nov 12, 2015 6:28 pm
Mark Offline
Member
Registered since: Feb 05, 2009
Location: Worcestershire


Subject: Re: Rapide: rubber pipe between fuel tanks
I am not familiar with the Rapide fuel pipe you mention, however, about 11 years ago I did replace the fuel tank rubber pipes on my LG45.
The twin filler pipes enter the sides of the tank and there is a steel elbow that directs the pipe up to the filler neck on the rear wings. The problem is the elbow connects the side of the tank and the filler neck with two sections of rubber hose and Jubilee clips.

I had a problem when I filled the tank for a long journey and the rubber hose into the side of the tank had perished. I deposited quite a few gallons of fuel on the roads of The Cotswolds!

I wanted to replace the rubber hose with a fuel resistant type and did some research. If I recall, the hose I discovered was a marine exhaust hose. Fully fuel resistant and had a spiral wire within the rubber hose that made it semi rigid, so quite useable in short straight sections . You have to cut through the stainless spiral wire when cutting to length, but it did the job well and is still performing its task after all this time.
Hope this helps
Mark
 

Nov 12, 2015 6:30 pm
Lagondanet Offline
Member
Registered since: Dec 14, 2007
Location: -


Subject: Re: Rapide: rubber pipe between fuel tanks
Thank you David. Yes. I tend to agree.
 

Nov 12, 2015 10:05 pm
David Offline
Member
Registered since: Feb 05, 2011
Location: -


Subject: Re: Rapide: rubber pipe between fuel tanks
Mark, interesting idea to use marine exhaust hose if available to the correct size as being fuel proof. I wonder if this is proof against petrol with 10% ethanol as well as marine diesel which I'd expect to be its norm. I have unfortunate experience with thinking fitness for one application means fitness for another, one of my cars deposited 3 gallons of oil on the M25 after I'd used the wrong type of flexible hose...
 

Nov 13, 2015 9:42 am
bill Offline
Member
Registered since: Jun 08, 2011
Location: -


Subject: Re: Rapide: rubber pipe between fuel tanks
If the original question was about LG45 Rapide (and not DB Rapide) I found that there was a hose that was ok. I bought it from Demon Tweeks I think having checked with them first of all that it was fuel resistant. No problems 10 years later.
On the LG45 Rapide it is extremely difficult to fit the pipe over the neck on each side of the tank and then get it over the underside of the caps. I believe it is not so difficult on the standard LG45 as there is more room.
Therefore a hose which has stainless wire inside I think would make the job impossible on the LG45 Rapide as the hose would not be flexible enough.
This post has been edited 1 times. Last edit on Nov 13, 2015 9:43 am by bill.  

Nov 13, 2015 3:33 pm
David Offline
Member
Registered since: Feb 05, 2011
Location: -


Subject: Re: Rapide: rubber pipe between fuel tanks
Bill, I think Roger's question relates to DB Rapide which has a tank in each wing with cross connecting pipe. Like you, I suspect any pipe with helical wire insert will be difficult to connect over the lip on the tanker
 

Nov 13, 2015 4:29 pm
bill Offline
Member
Registered since: Jun 08, 2011
Location: -


Subject: Re: Rapide: rubber pipe between fuel tanks
Thanks David. Originally I had thought it was a question referring to the DB Rapide but then Mark's reply made me think I must be wrong !
Anyway maybe Demon Tweeks have something which would be suitable.
 

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