On 11/12/2010 12:15 PM, Jim Ed wrote:
> I used to replace mine every 3 years.
>
> At vw-resource.com he recommends replacing it every 5 years.
>
> http://www.vw-resource.com/fuel_line.html
>
> It's always a good precaution to replace all four sections of
> rubber line about every five years.
>
> John Connolly (Aircooled.Net) advises-
>
> I strongly recommend cloth braided fuel hose. Every 6 months, you
> should inspect it! Bend it over 180 degrees, and if it cracks or is
> stiff, REPLACE IT. Leaking fuel hose is the #1 cause of those
> smoldering VWs you see on the side of the road. Don't be a statistic!
>
>


could not agree more!!

Rubber products such as fuel line, have a limited shelf life too. You
can't tell how old the fuel hose was when you BOUGHT it.

I once bought cloth braided fuel hose for my 78 bus, and two years later
I started getting fuel smells. I did what John said, started bending the
fuel hose and I didn't get very far until it snapped! Nowhere near 90
degrees!

I don't know if the formulation or chemical additives they use in fuel
changed at that time, and I was sold "old batch" fuel hose that was no
longer compatible. But it was a shocker. "Brand new" fuel hose dried up
to a crisp in 2 years. Insane.

Jan