4/14/12
Boxer Fuel Lines and Washing Cars
A Boxer was at the shop fixing a fuel leak. This is about the most
modern car we work on and is practically a new car to me until
I remember it was built in the early 80s, THIRTY YEARS AGO!
A bad leak that dripped on the floor below this Boxer brought the car
into the shop. It didn't take long to find one of the fuel tank output
hoses was leaking. Looking closer, we could see all the hoses were
original on this car, and if one rubber hose was leaking, we decided to
go ahead and replace all the hoses which included the connector pipe
between the fuel tanks.
The faulty hose was completely disintegrated, and it looked like some
of the fuel was actually eating through the rubber from the inside out!
Built 30 years ago, Ferrari may have used hoses that were compatible
with fuels in the 80s, but as fuel formulas change some the modern
distillates may react differently to the hoses made back then.
Replacing them with what's available today may give you a better chance
at avoiding this kind of damage.
The hoses on main pipe connecting the two fuel tanks in the Boxer were
also showing signs of age.
Since this hose is at the lowest point of the fuel system, this crack
could have turned into a leak that would have sent all the fuel onto
the floor, not a pleasant discovery when you go to flick on the lights
in your garage! If you own a Boxer, at the very least, take a look at
these hoses to make sure you don't see cracks or weeping. The connector
pipe is right in front of the engine and has a drain plug in the center
of it. There are two fuel pump pick up hoses that are tucked up in the
rockers just ahead of each fuel tank. The connect to the fuel
pumps/fuel filter assemblies.
Our local auto parts store does not stock these large diameter fuel
hose, but our Ferrari parts supplier has ready cut pieces to replace
the three soft hoses for the bridge pipe. Oftentimes, paying the
"Ferrari Tax" is worth the convenience over wasting our time looking
for parts!
Francois has been driving the survivor GTE around town to break in the
engine a little bit. Since the car is headed to California to its owner
soon, we want to make sure it's as good as it can be before it leaves.
We're putting some mileage on this car so we can do a final valve
adjustment, head torque, and oil change so the owner will be good to
go. I also wanted to get a chance to give this car a good detailing.
Even after several washings, the paint was a little dull due to the
fact that this car sat in storage for over 40 years. Microscopic
particles of dirt and paint oxidation needed to be removed to really
make this car shine.
I removed some of the badges to get to the dirt that has accumulated
over the years, and pretty soon the paint started coming back to life!
Set the Date!
Saturday May 5th 2012
The
Radcliffe/Tomyang.net Spring Car Show
The 5th Annual show brought to
you by car guys, for car guys
12340 Owings Mills Boulevard
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
Phone: 410-517-1681
Register Early for Show Cars,
spectators are free!
Reminder: If you have a Ferrari
related project, car, or idea
you'd like to explore, I'd love to talk to you. I can also help if
you're thinking of buying or selling. This website represents what I
love to do, and now it's how I make a living, so if you'd like to do
something together, let me know. It all begins with an e-mail!
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