I'm finally to the point to where I'm getting tired of smelling fuel all the time. I have inspected every place that could have a leak and there are none. I have heard that stainless steel braided hoses tend to give off a fuel smell when used in fuel system applications because the lines breath a little. Is there any truth to that? If there is, would switching to all stainless steel braided Teflon hoses remedy this?

I'm just looking for opinions and facts from people who have experience with braided hoses. Thanks.

 

Yes the standard braided lines will breath some. The teflon hose, which is much more expensive, will solve your problem. I really dont mind the smell, but I have 20 ft ceilings too. In a standard garage it would be more noticeable. I did a L in teflon hose about a tear ago and it solved the problem.

 

How exactly can a braided stainless fuel line breathe? It is standard rubber fuel line with a braiding over the top. If it can "breathe" it is leaking. They only way I see it happening is if non-fuel rated hose was used or possible some cheap imported crap that just plain leaks.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll probably switch to the Teflon hoses.

 

If I was gonna go with Teflon hoses, what would be the recommended manufacturer? All I can find on Summit is Aeroquip hoses. Are there any others out there?

 

Same thing I was scratching my head about

If it is able to "breathe" just sitting in the garage, then what happens when you are running fuel through the line at 40+psi??

 

braided isnt supposed to breathe. In fact, I like to pressure test all new lines (after I put the ends on) with a cap on one end and a pressure gauge on the other. I usually will put about 50 psi into them and let 'em sit overnight. In the morning, I'll check them. Most of the time (not always) they hold pressure. If they "breathed" than pressure would be gone.

I have, however, seen some ss lines that had the inner hose leak and when that happens, its a righteous **** to find the leak. The braids act like little straws and disperse the fluid along the entire hose especially if it's fuel or alcohol and the fuels will evaporate off before they drip. Oil usually drips off because it's heavier and won't evaporate as easily.

The 2 main things about using Push-lok hose is that you don't have to fool with the fittings nearly as much (they just push in, although they require a lot of pressure to get 'em in)...push lok hose is a little lighter and when they leak, they're easier to pinpoint the leaks because there's no braid to disperse the fluids

If braided "breathed" then how does nitrous oxide at 900+ psi stay inside? Scratching my head too....

 

Std. SS braided hoses will "breathe" or weep, its their nature- pressure applied to the line prevents leaking or "breathing"; where as a teflon lined braided SS will not- such as that used in a NOS application or a brake system.

Aeroquip, Russel, Earl's are all good. In my opinion the fittings from aeroquip are strongest and easiest to work with, the russel fittings are fragile and break really easy.

 

I have to throw a BS flag on this theory. It is not possible for the hose to "breathe" and still contain the fluid without leaking or losing pressure. Now it is possible to have leaks at the fittings do to poorly assembled lines. For fumes to breathe through the inside case and not leak fluid it not possible. Chances are that you have a problem at the fitting and not with the line itself. I have used braided line for brake fluid, coolant, fuel, oil, air, alcohol, and never seen this breathing situation. Basic physics says not possible.

 

Yeah, there should not be any "breathing" in any automotive application of stainless hoses. Automotive applications all have an interior tube based off of some polymer (teflon, PTFE or such) that the braid merely surrounds for protection and swell control.