C4 Fuel line problem

[Ken C.]

I just uncovered a leaking fuel line on my 1987 Convertible. It appears that the source is up towards the top of the fuel tank. Would never have noticed without having started a major detailing. How difficult is it to change this line? Do I need to drop the rear axle as well to drop the tank or is there an easy fix to this problem.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ken

[Jim T.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

Ken I have removed the rubber gas lines (supply&return) on my 85 when I replaced the electric fuel pump.
The rubber lines are attached to the steel lines, a forming process without any clamps for the lack of the proper term of the procedure.
To give some visual of the lines your could remove a back-up light on the right side, them remove the inner tail light, and through the tail light hole remove the other tail light if you need to.
The fuel line is high pressure rubber hose. If the leak area is just a leak hole that could be cut out and a hard line insterted using clamps.
You may want to just replace the complete line. The complete line could very well go from the fuel filter to the tank.
The rear facia can be removed for fuel line replacement if necessary.
Do you have a service manual?
As difficult as the fuel lines were to remove from the metal nipples going into the gas tank, someone could of damaged the fuel line and causing the leak. Remove the gas lid and check it out. The clamps were easy to loosen, the rubber line just does not slip on and off the nipples.

[Ken C.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

Ken I have removed the rubber gas lines (supply&return) on my 85 when I replaced the electric fuel pump.
The rubber lines are attached to the steel lines, a forming process without any clamps for the lack of the proper term of the procedure.
To give some visual of the lines your could remove a back-up light on the right side, them remove the inner tail light, and through the tail light hole remove the other tail light if you need to.
The fuel line is high pressure rubber hose. If the leak area is just a leak hole that could be cut out and a hard line insterted using clamps.
You may want to just replace the complete line. The complete line could very well go from the fuel filter to the tank.
The rear facia can be removed for fuel line replacement if necessary.
Do you have a service manual?
As difficult as the fuel lines were to remove from the metal nipples going into the gas tank, someone could of damaged the fuel line and causing the leak. Remove the gas lid and check it out. The clamps were easy to loosen, the rubber line just does not slip on and off the nipples.

Thanks for the info Jim,

I don't have a service manual but will a Haynes Repair Manual help. If so I'll pick one up.

Ken

[Jim T.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

Ken I can't say for the Haynes manual for your 87. I have an 85 Corvette service manual and use it.
Just learned looking at my 85's GM's service manual how to check for low freon.
I have the R12 and the guages to install the R12, but my 85 Corvette's air conditioning system is not like my 70.
On my 70 I just install R12 until I get the visual signal from the sight glass on the dryer that I have added enough.
On my 85 which is just like your 87 I have learned from reading the manual how to use the feel method to verify low freon.
The manual specifies to add 1/4 pound and let it circulate, feel again, and then add .88 pounds of R12 if it needs more. A sight glass would be be simple to use.
It is not like 15 years ago just going to a shop for R12.
I first started buying service manuals from www.helminc.com for my 64 in 1968. My latest one for my 96 LT4 13 years ago comes in two volumes and weighs about 8 pounds, lots of information.
I would recommend a service manual from Helm if you are going to keep your car for awhile and do your own work.

[Terry M.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

The 2008 Corvette Service Manual is three volumes. I don't know what it weighs. I have shelves full of FSMs. The cars come and go, but the manuals stay. I have never owned a car I didn't have the Factory Service Manual for, including my 1937 Cadillac. I would not waste my money on anything other than the factory authorized manual. They are designed for the professional mechanic, so sometimes they are a little too deep for us amateurs, but that is far better than lacking information.
We should be grateful we can still get the manuals on paper. The day will come in the not too distant future when all there will be will be on a computer. Right now the computer disks (which I understand contain more than one manual) are $400. My 2008 Corvette FSM on paper was around $140 or so.

[Ken C.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

I would like thank the forum members who provided there input for my problem.

Jim & Dave I basically followed your suggestion by removing the fuel door and bezel as well as the rear tail light. I would appear the leak problem is the steel line as it is badly corroded. How difficult is it to remove the old line and replace it with a new stainless line? Do I have to drop the tank to accomplish the switch out or can it be accomplished via the fuel door area and tailllight area?

As a note I have ordered a service manual to help with future projects on the this car.

[Jim T.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

Ken you are off to a good start by ordering the GM service manual.
Off the cuff,since it has been several years now since I completely removed the rear bumper/facia which exposed the gas tank and fuel lines, I would check out what the line looks like going from the right edge of the tank to the fuel filter.
The fuel line may be able to be replaced through the outboard tail light, just a guess.
The rear bumper is not that hard to remove, with all the taillights out you can reach all the retaining nuts.
One thing about the taillights, if the rear bumper/facia is not removed and you drop a retainer nut for a taillight, you will be extremely lucky to find it with the honeycomb stuff behind the bumper.

[Ken C.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

Jim and Dave thanks for your advise. I have obtained copies of appropriate pages of the manual from our local Corvette specialist. Looks like I am in for a long weekend of repairs and hopefully no surprizes.
Oh by the way the garage rates indicate it is a 6 hour job just to drop the tank.

Ken

[Jim T.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

Ken I have not read my 85's manual on changing the fuel line, I don't believe the tank has to be removed to change the fuel line.
Have you checked with GM parts to see if the fuel line is available?

[Ken C.]

Re: C4 Fuel line problem

Jim, I hope you are right about changing the fuel line. I'll know tonight as will start with the tail lights and fuel bezel and see what it looks like.

Checked with my local Corvette Repair and Parts people and it just so happens they have fuel line in stock, however if it is more than just the supply line I could be hooped.

Ken