Advice on Fuel Quick Disconnects

[Tom_Becker]

I am on the verge of pulling the fuel tank on my LT for the first time. With others' tales of woe with breaking the disconnects or having them leak I am a bit paranoid.

Any words of advice regarding the fuel disconnects? I did make point of getting a set of replacement o-rings. I just hope I don't screw things up.

Tom

[Chipper]

Tom, just make sure when you insert the male into the female you depress the locking tab button while push them together. This keeps the o-ring from binding up when you re-connect the connectors.


I am on the verge of pulling the fuel tank on my LT for the first time. With others' tales of woe with breaking the disconnects or having them leak I am a bit paranoid.

Any words of advice regarding the fuel disconnects? I did make point of getting a set of replacement o-rings. I just hope I don't screw things up.

Tom

[zippy_gg]

Tom, you should be fine as long as you make sure to pull both sides of the QD apart straight out and without bending or forcing anything.

Of course this would be a great time to replace the plastic ones with new ones made of brass. If you do so you will need to get new fuel hose clamps. I used the screw type and was careful not to over-tighten.

I am on the verge of pulling the fuel tank on my LT for the first time. With others' tales of woe with breaking the disconnects or having them leak I am a bit paranoid.

Any words of advice regarding the fuel disconnects? I did make point of getting a set of replacement o-rings. I just hope I don't screw things up.

Tom

[Chipper]

Also I would purchase a set of brass connectors and throw the plastic ones away if your LT has not been upgraded with them yet.

[bowlesj]

I am on the verge of pulling the fuel tank on my LT for the first time. With others' tales of woe with breaking the disconnects or having them leak I am a bit paranoid.

Any words of advice regarding the fuel disconnects? I did make point of getting a set of replacement o-rings. I just hope I don't screw things up.

Tom

What works for me is to depress the stainless lock button and give the fittings a slight twist and then separate. A little fuel or vaseline to lube the o'ring on installation helps protect the seal. Depressing the lock lever as others have noted helps relieve the stress on the o'ring. Mine are still original at 36K.

[jzeiler]

Actually if you fully press the release it will lock in the open position. There is a little latch pin that locks it open. Ditto on the pull straight out after the twist. Best lube is a dab of oil. Any kind of grease can get into the injectors and clog them. I still have the plastic and carry a spare set but I am thinking real hard about going to the metal ones everytime I see cherokee123's avitar. A burned LT is a sad thing to see.

[bowlesj]

A Best lube is a dab of oil. Any kind of grease can get into the injectors and clog them.

That's why vaseline is perfect in this application. It dissolves in kerosene, gasoline, Jet A, Jet B, etc. And is usually readily available. Many A/C MM's reference petroleum jelly for lubing fuel line o'rings and access panels.

Of course, oil is great.

Just more info.

[Tom_Becker]

I appreciate everyone's input. It is very helpful to hear that it is possible to work with the plastic disconnects. Frankly, I think that it is probably sage advice to replace with the brass fittings.

Tom

[Tom_Becker]

Gilles,

What happened that you overtightened the clamps? Did you crush the nipple on the quick disconnect or cut the hose so that it leaked?

Tom

[MikeERideWNC]

Knowing that one of mine broke from just normal usage... :(

I now keep a couple in my tool box for that just in case moment.
At 14.77 for the male side it is affordable to have a spare.
I don't foresee a female connector breaking as easily as the male.

All mine did was get a needle hole in it... 30 miles from home.
It sprayed fuel everywhere.
I think the fuel preasure and the spring preasure makes the plastic crack over time.
It sure snapped off with little effort when I was removing it.

[grifscoots]

That's why vaseline is perfect in this application. It dissolves in kerosene, gasoline, Jet A, Jet B, etc. And is usually readily available. Many A/C MM's reference petroleum jelly for lubing fuel line o'rings and access panels.

Of course, oil is great.

Just more info.I use food grade petrol jell. Like they use for margarita and ice cream machines. Regular vaseline will degrade rubber.

[bowlesj]

I use food grade petrol jell. Like they use for margarita and ice cream machines. Regular vaseline will degrade rubber.

Don't tell me you've had some Trojans blow out on ya:rotf:

Otherwise, Grif, you must be a swimming pool owner or similar. The petrol stuff doesn't dissolve in water, but fuels, thats a bit different. Yes, vaseline is known to degrade rubber in "put it together and forget about it" applications.


It is just a quick connect fitting - I wouldn't big deal it. Use Marvel Mystery Oil, Gasoline, Spit, Motor oil (synthetic or dino), gear oil, Shell Rotella, Urine, whatever you have. The PPM as it is passed through the fuel system is negligible.

Breakage and fires and so on - just ham fisted mechanics doing what they do best. Truthfully, I also believe the plastic BMW is using in the OEM connector is not gasoline friendly either, that's why some develop pin holes. Appears to be polypropolene rather than Acetal don't know for sure. My replacements are Acetal.

Personally, I use vaseline often because I have a tube in my pocket. Don't ask why:D

[zippy_gg]

Personally, I use vaseline often because I have a tube in my pocket. Don't ask why:DPlease tell us it is because of chapped lips...!:eek:

[zippy_gg]

Gilles,

What happened that you overtightened the clamps? Did you crush the nipple on the quick disconnect or cut the hose so that it leaked?

TomTom, I did make sure I did NOT overtighten the clamps as this could break the plastic portion of the QD inside the hose or cut the hose itself.

[grifscoots]

Don't tell me you've had some Trojans blow out on ya:rotf:

Otherwise, Grif, you must be a swimming pool owner or similar. The petrol stuff doesn't dissolve in water, but fuels, thats a bit different. Yes, vaseline is known to degrade rubber in "put it together and forget about it" applications.


It is just a quick connect fitting - I wouldn't big deal it. Use Marvel Mystery Oil, Gasoline, Spit, Motor oil (synthetic or dino), gear oil, Shell Rotella, Urine, whatever you have. The PPM as it is passed through the fuel system is negligible.

Breakage and fires and so on - just ham fisted mechanics doing what they do best. Truthfully, I also believe the plastic BMW is using in the OEM connector is not gasoline friendly either, that's why some develop pin holes. Appears to be polypropolene rather than Acetal don't know for sure. My replacements are Acetal.

Personally, I use vaseline often because I have a tube in my pocket. Don't ask why:DThe reason I push the stuff is because I bought a beeg tube of it years ago and I will die before it's all used up. Plus, touting it makes me feel like less of a fool than I really am. Now, dielectric grease......

BTW, I'm strung out on the Burt's Bee's lip stuff and almost panic if I can't find it my pocket(s), dayem cargo shorts.

[bowlesj]

Please tell us it is because of chapped lips...!:eek:

If that's what you want to hear - I'm good with it:p

[tvolk]

Jiffy Tite

All metal quick disconnects (many BMW people using them )

www.racerpartswholesale.com

Click on the motorcycle division .

Racer Parts Wholesale is a new sponsor/vendor on this forum