DJ. Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Every winter, I enjoy doing a thorough service and check over on my Seven ready for the next year. I have changed the timing belt, spark plugs etc as recommended in a schedule I think I got from Caterham.The two items I'm not sure about are the fuel hose and brake hoses.The fuel hose (sigma engine) is the hard black plastic plastic (nylon?) type. I check it annually and no sign of leaks yet, but can only see the ends as it has a plastic sheath covering it. Does anyone know if it should be replaced at a certain age? The brakes hoses on my older cars used to be rubber and it was obvious when they needed doing. With stainless covering, inspection is impossible. Once agin, how often do people change these hoses?ThanksDuncan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 I’ve recently done the fuel hoses at 20 years. A company in Nuneaton can remake the hoses using the existing metal ends for £10ish per hose rather than £50+ from Caterham. The new hoses were noticeably more flexible.I did read somewhere that the stainless braided nylon brake pipes do have a ‘life’. I guess they dont show fatigue like rubber ones. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted October 27, 2019 Area Representative Share Posted October 27, 2019 The official Caterham recommendation as per their service schedule is for fuel lines to be replaced every six years & brake hoses every four years.This replacement period could depend on mileage, usage, environment & where the vehicle is parked. But with everything like this a thorough inspection at each annual service should determine the condition of the fuel hoses. So replacement could be on condition. As for flexi brake hoses one cannot determine the condition of the inner so one either changes as recommended regardless of mileage, usage, environment or sail with the wind & change when the connections are corroded to hell & the braid is getting thin. Or when they unexpectedly leak!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 very timely thread, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Worth making sure you use the correct spec fuel hose too - also beware of cheap imitations on the internet.You need high pressure R9 hose or R10 if its fully submersed,Gates, Goodyear, Codan or Conti all offer this.Easy to cut the crimps off you old hoses and reuse the barbs and banjo's and refit with Oetiker clamps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ. Posted October 27, 2019 Author Share Posted October 27, 2019 I received my kit in 2010, so next year the hoses will be 10 years old. I had heard the 4 years recommended for the brake hoses, but they always look perfect. I think I will change them this winter as I don't fancy one failing on track or the road.The fuel hose, I can at least inspect at either end, so I think I might leave it a few more years if all looks well.Has anyone one had experience of either type of hose failing and if so at what age? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 I'd be checking the fuel hoses..... if there marked R6 then they are not suitable for E5 fuel..... bear in mind the part in contact with the fuel is be bit you cant see.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ. Posted October 27, 2019 Author Share Posted October 27, 2019 This is the fuel pipe I have:https://caterhamparts.co.uk/hoses/1176-fuel-pipe-pump-to-fuel-rail.htmlIt seems to have survived ok so far, it id very hard and not really flexible to start with and is still the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 That looks like a hard plastic pipe with sheathing, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ. Posted October 27, 2019 Author Share Posted October 27, 2019 Yes that's it, I think it is something like nylon, it hardly has to flex at all the way it is installed. Any idea how long it lasts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted October 27, 2019 Member Share Posted October 27, 2019 I'd be checking the fuel hoses..... if there marked R6 then they are not suitable for E5 fuel..... bear in mind the part in contact with the fuel is be bit you cant see....It might now be wise to fit hoses etc that can take 10% ethanol... what's the type specification for that, please?ThanksJonathanPS: There's a recent discussion about vehicle fuel hose specifications and for how long they've been required to tolerate ethanol. IIRC it included the ASTM data but not that type of specification....Edited: Found it, 2017.J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Arundel Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Has anyone ever had a flexible hose fail on a Caterham (other than damaged one)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Fuel flexible hose yes .... hardened and cracking. Brake hoses... no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7 OOH Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 What is the diameter of the fuel hoses and specification for E10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 The tricky one on the K series is the hose from the metal pipe in the tunnel to the fuel rail. There is a special connector to the rail, has anyone ever had a success in replacing this section of pipe with one for modern fuels. There is also fuel pump and sender gaskets which are not immune to corrision from bio-ethanol in my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Yes. Easy fix. Same as the one from the tank to the filter. Remove the complete hose. Carefully cut through the wedding band crimp. Pull the hose off the end fitting. Fit new latest spec rubber fuel hose available by the metre anywhere (not that nasty black cotton covered stuff) and fasten with petrol hose screw clamps. Not jubilee style clamps, they don't clamp evenly on small size hose. Simple and cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Fuel hoses are 5/16" .... or 7.6mm ... or 8mm bore. All work ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7 OOH Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Thanks Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Better still use Oeitker clamps when replacing the swaged ends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7 OOH Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Looking to replace my fuel lines and given all the info in this post I do not for see any issues other than:I take it the Oetiker clamps require a special crimping tool? and what is the size of the clamps required for the fuel hose?Also looking at the hose from the pump to the filter, is that some sort of twist and turn connection and will new seals etc be required or ca you purchase a new connector? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 A long pair of pincers work a treat on the O clips, yes they are sized according to the OD of your hose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Just reuse the original hose end fittings. Typical 8mm bore hose is around 13mm OD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7 OOH Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Thanks Ian is the pump connector a simple twist and turn and what about the need to fit news seals?When using the Oetiker clamp are we looking at single or double ear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 On my k-series pump it was an eye on the end of the hose that fitted to a hollow banjo bolt with a copper washer each side of the eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7 OOH Posted October 31, 2019 Share Posted October 31, 2019 Ian You are absolutely correct, banjo fitting, I must have been looking at the LP return side which has a funny in line white plastic valve.You don't know the size of the copper washers do you.Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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