Fuel lines and fittings — general information and disconnection
Warning: Gasoline is extremely flammable. See Fuel system warnings in Section Fuel and exhaust systems.
1. Relieve the fuel pressure before servicing fuel lines or fittings (see Fuel pressure relief procedure), then disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal (see Engine electrical systems) before proceeding.
2. The fuel supply line connects the fuel pump in the fuel tank to the fuel rail on the engine. The Evaporative Emission (EVAP) system lines connect the fuel tank to the EVAP canister and connect the canister to the intake manifold.
3. Whenever you’re working under the vehicle, be sure to inspect all fuel and evaporative emission lines for leaks, kinks, dents and other damage. Always replace a damaged fuel or EVAP line immediately.
4. If you find signs of dirt in the lines during disassembly, disconnect all lines and blow them out with compressed air. Inspect the fuel strainer on the fuel pump pick-up unit for damage and deterioration.
Steel tubing
5. It is critical that the fuel lines be replaced with lines of equivalent type and specification.
6. Some steel fuel lines have threaded fittings. When loosening these fittings, hold the stationary fitting with a wrench while turning the tube nut.
Plastic tubing
7. When replacing fuel system plastic tubing, use only original equipment replacement plastic tubing.
Caution: When removing or installing plastic fuel line tubing, be careful not to bend or twist it too much, which can damage it. Also, plastic fuel tubing is NOT heat resistant, so keep it away from excessive heat.
Flexible hoses
8. When replacing fuel system flexible hoses, use only original equipment replacements.
9. Don’t route fuel hoses (or metal lines) within four inches of the exhaust system or within ten inches of the catalytic converter. Make sure that no rubber hoses are installed directly against the vehicle, particularly in places where there is any vibration. If allowed to touch some vibrating part of the vehicle, a hose can easily become chafed and it might start leaking. A good rule of thumb is to maintain a minimum of 1/4-inch clearance around a hose (or metal line) to prevent contact with the vehicle underbody.
Two-tab type fitting; depress both tabs with your fingers, then pull the fuel line and the fitting apart
On this type of fitting, depress the two buttons on opposite sides of the fitting, then pull it off the fuel line
Threaded fuel line fitting; hold the stationary portion of the line or component (A) while loosening the tube nut (B) with a flare-nut wrench
Plastic collar-type fitting; rotate the outer part of the fitting
Metal collar quick-connect fitting; pull the end of the retainer off the fuel line and disengage the other end from the female side of the fitting .
… insert a fuel line separator tool into the female side of the fitting, push it into the fitting and pull the fuel line off the pipe
Some fittings are secured by lock tabs. Release the lock tab (A) and rotate it to the fully-opened position, squeeze the two smaller lock tabs (B)
… then push the retainer out and pull the fuel line off the pipe
Spring-lock coupling; remove the safety cover, install a coupling release tool and close the tool around the coupling …
… push the tool into the fitting, then pull the two lines apart
Hairpin clip type fitting: push the legs of the retainer clip together, then push the clip down all the way until it stops and pull the fuel line off the pipe
