Sigma fuel rail pipe connection

[Garth]

Am planning to take my engine out this weekend! Think I can deal with most pipe connections but not sure how to remove the flexible hose from the fuel rail? Looks like a sliding clip which needs to be extracted but do not want to damage it? Tips appreciated thanks.

 

Also wondering if anyone has the removable engine 'hook' that came on the engine (which I stowed away in such a safe place that I cannot find it!) which I would like to borrow.

 

Thanks

[Domus]

There is a special tool to release the clip, I broke mine trying to release it with a small screwdriver.  I refitted the hose and used a small cable tie threaded through the fitting to lock it in place.  The engine has been out three times and the cable tie solution works fine every time.

 

Where are you?  I have a rear lifting eye somewhere safe.

[DJ.]

The connector has a plastic button that when at rest is flush with the surface of the connector. With the hose removed it is easy to push in with a thumb nail. Unfortunately the end of the fuel rail is designed to limit access to this in situ. I made my own tool from a strip of 1.5mm steel sheet about 3 inches long and about 1/2" wide. I curved it so it fitted up beside the fuel hose, and then bent a small lip on the end at 90 degrees towards the hose connector. Once I'd figured out which side the button was on, it was then easy to slide it up and pull out the lower end pushing in the button, until the hose slipped off easily.

[Jig]

I believe that it is a standard Ford part, for the Sigma engine, so the proper tool would be available from a Ford dealer.

[Garth]

Thanks for the responses guys - I got the engine out with the help of Alan R and Graeme W this weekend - After I posted I realized that I forgot to say that it is not standard Sigma - has throttle bodies and on closer inspection the end of the flexible fuel pipe had been replaced and there was a push fit connector about a foot from the fixed rail - did not matter in the end as we had to take the throttle bodies off to get to the wires connected to the top of the alternator anyway so fuel line still connected! 

Thanks for the offer of the lifting eye Peter - made do with a bit of threaded rod in the end as I left it too late to get in touch with you. Am going to see if Caterham have any knocking around (I assume they must throw them away?) for when we put it back - otherwise may be in touch as our solution was a bit risky!

Now left with the dilemma of how much effort I put into cleaning up the engine bay - could take weeks if I did it properly!