UPDATE** MOT failed - now PASSED

[ghost]

I was most surprised to get a fail yesterday. The car sailed through on chassis, sills (perfect), brakes. etc, but I have a leaky fuel line. Looks like a broken pipe underneath one of the pipe holders. I need a quick fix, so can anyone suggest a chap near me who could repair? I'm in Crowthorne, (nr. Wokingham), Berkshire.

I took photos and you can see the weeping pipe (especially in the last pic)...

 

[ghost]

Guys... lots of views of my post and no suggestions on where to get it fixed. Doesn't anyone have a favourite technician who resides near me? I've called Northway (used them in the past), but fully booked for the next 2 weeks. Has anyone used GT-One? Anyone else?

 

[andrew_churcher]

I used Gt One for my S2. Very good advice i found....think very practically and a very reasonable labour rate. Both Craig and Peter very easy to talk to / knowledgeable etc.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Guys... lots of views of my post and no suggestions on where to get it fixed. Doesn't anyone have a favourite technician who resides near me? I've called Northway (used them in the past), but fully booked for the next 2 weeks. Has anyone used GT-One? Anyone else?

Other than the mentioned places, I use RPM in Tring, or Promax are not an impossible distance from you. Couldn't any half-decent mechanic sort it though? [8|]

 

[AntB]

Use Gt One all the time.. FANTASTIC.. Peter or Craig know these cars backwards... Suggest to take it there defo.. my 944 has gone there since my ownership and I have never once felt out of pocket etc.. Very fair and a A1 job I think.. A

 

[AntB]

Your welcome to tell them that Anthony with the Blue 944 2.7 Lux recommended you if you do decide to use them. They will know who I am if you speak to Peter on the phone.. May help - not saying it will, but they may like the fact that you are a recommendation. Just a thought.. A

 

[Alexw]

Its just a fuel line - I got mine replaced by a local garage (the ones over the rear axle though). Cost less than £100 IIRC. Its nothing special, go to a few places and get quotes. Where is that pic taken by the way?

 

[ghost]

All, Thanks for the tips. Phoning around today. Everyone is either busy or away for the Bank Holiday week. Alexw - the photo was taken from under the car.

 

[Alexw]

ORIGINAL: ghost All, Thanks for the tips. Phoning around today. Everyone is either busy or away for the Bank Holiday week. Alexw - the photo was taken from under the car.

Obviously. I meant which end as I don't really recognise it, looks like the front but I'm not sure

 

[FistsOfHam]

It's at the rear end going over the rear axle. Seems to be where they all rust as it's a bit of a water trap. Can you tell what I've been working on with my care lately?

 

[ghost]

Spot on madrob6. It's at the rear, which is why it's going to cost me a lot of cash to fix. I'm being told that the rear axle will need to be dropped in order to replace the fuel lines. Ouch!

 

[pauljmcnulty]

It's at the rear, which is why it's going to cost me a lot of cash to fix. I'm being told that the rear axle will need to be dropped in order to replace the fuel lines. Ouch!

Original lines, yes. Most indies should be able to work around this though, and any garage can replace with a flexible line. Some people don't like it, but they really are only cars. Mine was just over £100 including hose, labour and VAT.

 

[FistsOfHam]

I'm the process of replacing mine with a flexi braided set from RPM. Kit was £300 +VAT (this includes all the clips you'll need to mount them) and the rear axle doesn't need to be dropped to fit them. I had my axle dropped for something else and managed to fit them in a morning (although having issues with connectors due to my car being a bit of an oddball). Here's a pic of the new lines fitted without the rear axle in the way. Other side to your car but this is where the originals rusted.

And heading across the floor

And over the gearbox

It's a nice and tidy fix and should last several more years.

 

[JamesBall]

I had steel braided fuel lines recently fitted to my Turbo. I wish I had saved my cash and gone for cheaper rubber lines though to be honest. As above, any decent garage should be able to change them.

 

[sawood12]

Not sure what i'm looking at in the pictures at the top - they look like brake lines to me. Problem with braided lines is that they are prone to chaffing - especially where they come into contact with something else - which with fuel lines is along most of their length. They are fine as long as you check them regularly. Modern reinforced rubber hoses are much more durable and maintenance free, but you have the problem of terminating the hoses which requires special equipment, but there are places that will make them to order.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Problem with braided lines is that they are prone to chaffing - especially where they come into contact with something else - which with fuel lines is along most of their length. They are fine as long as you check them regularly.

But, the original lines are prone to corrosion and need to be inspected regularly. [8|] My car gets it's servicing and MOT, and things get checked. So does my van, and the dog's Legacy. We don't lie awake all night worrying about fuel lines. I'm not sure why there's this paranoia about using perfectly good repair methods on a 944, as if it's a unique car that needs a different approach? My S2 has had an advisory on the service that the fuel lines will need doing soon, on both of it's last two annual services. When it needs doing I'll probably go for the RPM braided, as I trust them with the car, but I'd be as happy for the local garage to repair it the same way they do every other car. I won't be spending a grand on dropping the rear axle and fitting OEM parts.

 

[mike220]

Agree with you 100% Paul. Mine need doing now I'm back, are there any decent kits/repair sections available for sensible money or should I go and visit my local Pirtek gents and have a chat ? Happy to repair locally to the damaged section, with whatever flexible pipe solutions that are available - £300 for a full kit isn't needed for the issue I have. Cheers, Mike

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty But, the original lines are prone to corrosion and need to be inspected regularly. [8|]

Yep, you're right, but the originals last 20yrs+. All academic anyway as SS externally braided lines will outlast most peoples ownership anyway. But my point is that externally braided lines are prone to chaffing so anywhere there will be contact with the side of the line and the hose e.g. along the underside of the car, then rubber hoses are much more durable. These have internal braiding from flexible chord to provide the hoop strength and a thick rubber outer layer which is very durable in areas where it will contact other surfaces.

 

[ghost]

I found a local mechanic (recommended to me by Northway Porsche) who can do the job. I was thinking of going the whole hog and having the new 4-part porsche lines and new brackets fitted (£300 parts + Labour of 2-3 hours) Could cost me around £500, but at least I know the job has been correctly and will last another 20 years or more. BTW, I'm told that a lot of 944's are now experiencing fuel-line failures, due to end of life.

 

[ghost]

UPDATE: Just got my car back from my local 'recommended' repairers. I decided to bite the bullet and go for a complete replacement with genuine Porsche parts. Both fuels lines (4 parts), clips, rubbers, the lot. They had to drop the rear axle and the fuel tank (due to a corroded pipe union beside the tank). Also had to drill and re-tap axle mounting bolt. It turned out to be a long job. Total cost for parts/labour and VAT was £548. I'm happy with that. At least I know its been done properly with Porsche guaranteed parts, so should be good for at least another 20 years. They also adjusted the handbrake and got an MOT done, so my pride and joy is back on the road in time for the weekend trip to Beaulieu. Plus, I have now found a local garage I can trust for future work. Next up will be a refresh of the suspension and possibly a new clutch (it's working, but getting a little heavy when hot after a long, spirited run).