Braided flexible fuel line

[Simon_and_Tanja]

Fuel line between secondary filter and injection pump sprang a leak approx midway between the banjos - it might be the low pressure side but it was like a flipping power shower down there. Engine is a Volvo Penta MD5A and a new line is no longer available. Can I get a braided flexible hose made up to replace it? Are these up to the job? The current (leaking) item is not the rigid line original but was obviously substituted sometime in the past. It is flexible for approx 60% of the length (filter side) before joining a short solid length for the last couple of inches following a fairly tight bend to the injection pump. I'll get this off to use as a template (once I've recovered my spanner from the bilge :-( ) but the questions remain:
Is a flexible or part flexible line up to the job?
Where do I get one made up (North Essex)

 

[RichardS]

My fuel lines are flexible rubber all the way from the fuel tank through to the secondary filter.

Richard

 

[Daverw]

Take it to your local hydraulic hose supplier, they will be able to make a replacement while you wait. No need to loo’ at marine suppliers

 

[William_H]

You might consider aircraft style stainless steel braid covered hose. for added fire resistance. ol'will

 

[Plum]

Fuel line between primary filter and injection pump sprang a leak approx midway between the banjos - it might be the low pressure side but it was like a flipping power shower down there. Engine is a Volvo Penta MD5A and a new line is no longer available. Can I get a braided flexible hose made up to replace it? Are these up to the job? The current (leaking) item is not the rigid line original but was obviously substituted sometime in the past. It is flexible for approx 60% of the length (filter side) before joining a short solid length for the last couple of inches following a fairly tight bend to the injection pump. I'll get this off to use as a template (once I've recovered my spanner from the bilge :-( ) but the questions remain:
Is a flexible or part flexible line up to the job?
Where do I get one made up (North Essex)

If the hose is not rubbing against anything, and it shouldn't be, braided is not necessary. Hose of the correct iso standard such as https://www.asap-supplies.com/seaflow-fuel-hose-305908 is recommended. Also, easier to inspect with no braiding.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[oldgit]

30 year old motorboat.
Mysterious diesel sheen on bilge water finally turned out to be a tiny little weep from original copper pipe from tank to fuel pump.
Poking with screwdriver did reveal leak.
No problems starting or running engine.
Pipe about 3 metres long, had corroded/ fractured ? under securing clamp.
Cut out entire length of copper pipe leaving 2 x tails of perfect pipe still connected to tank and pump at easy to get at locations.
Replaced with good quality rubber fuel pipe double clipped at each end with correct hose clamps.Stainless of course.
Reasons for this route.
No idea of union threads on both tank and pump, fuel tank connection would have been real pig to get to.
Threading new copper pipe would have required far more patience/agility than I have.
Time and expence to get entire new fuel pipe fabricated, be it flexible or copper.

Ps.Fuel pipe from local chandlery £9.00 per metre.
Local motor factor (SCS) £3.50 + VAT.Per metre.

 

[Simon_and_Tanja]

Thank you everybody for all the helpful advice. I apologise but I got my terminology wrong this pipe is between secondary filter and injection pump - not primary filter. Although this is in the low pressure circuit, low is evidently a relative term - still quite enough to jet several feet. Pressure is from the cam-driven "lift" pump, this isn't a gravity line. Hose technology has undoubtedly advanced a lot but I'm not sure I would trust jubilee clips.
I will get down the industrial estate in Braintree with my bit and see what the hydraulic engineers can offer.

 

[tross]

You could try these guys
https://www.goodridge.co.uk/

 

[Simonpk]

If you are in North Essex I use Anglia Hose & Hydraulics for my fuel line and braided brake hoses.

http://www.angliahose.co.uk

 

[penberth3]

If the hose is not rubbing against anything, and it shouldn't be, braided is not necessary... ...Also, easier to inspect with no braiding.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Spot on. Braiding means you can't see the condition of the rubber hose.

 

[Simon_and_Tanja]

Thanks for the pointer to Anglia Hose - that's handily on the way to the boat
I've also got the message with regard braiding so will go with whatever the experts recommend. I was only drawn towards braided hose as that is what was there already (its not steel braiding) but as everybody points out there is no abrasion risk and it doesn't rub against anything. Just need some flexible hose that can take a bit of pressure and will not be eaten by modern diesel.