Fuel line help.

[Brent Schneider]

Hello all I'm in the process of fixing some fuel lines. It's the line that runs from the filter up to the spring disconnects in the engine bay. It's on a 1995 ranger with a 4.0. I have tried everything thing I can think of with no luck. I finally cut the steel line to flare it but its strong stuff and broke my flare tool trying. So can I just use a compression fitting there. Dorman sell tons of different types.

 

[Rick]

Welcome to the forum

I moved your thread to the Stock 1995 - 2001 subforum.

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

Get a better flaring tool! Use a double flare and union to make the connections. If you need practice making double flares to get it right, then practice.
A good double flaring tool cost more money than a cheap one that fails, or makes it hard to do the job right, clean, and good.

 

[david4451]

I used compression fitting on my Sport Trac (single line) with no problems for last 3 years. Flaring is fine but I doubt it's warranted on relatively low pressure fuel lines, compared to brake lines.

 

[imp]

I used compression fitting on my Sport Trac (single line) with no problems for last 3 years. Flaring is fine but I doubt it's warranted on relatively low pressure fuel lines, compared to brake lines.

@david4451
Compression fittings are usable up into the multi-thousand psi range, but not recommended for flammables like gasoline. A hydraulic fluid leak is messy; a gasoline leak is potential disaster.

Compression fittings can fail. They can slip apart, and sometimes crack the tubing. Hopefully, your use will remain intact forever. imp

 

[david4451]

A fuel leak could well be a disaster, however flaring stainless steel lines can produce cracks in ss. Dorman sell their fittings for fuel lines and the 5/16 inch I used has not leaked. I don't wish to advocate any particular fix for fuel line, just saying what worked for me.

 

[koda2000]

I think you'd be okay with a compression fitting on the fuel line because you're only dealing with around 70 PSI. Never, never ever use compression fittings on brake lines. Brake line pressures can exceed 1200 PSI and a compression fitting will fail at that kind of pressure. My only concern is that compression fittings are typically used on copper tubing, which is soft where stainless steel is quite hard. IDK if the brass feral would get a good bite on SS when tightened. On copper once the feral is compressed it's not coming off. I recommend you test it before going the compression fitting route to be safe.

 

[masospaghetti]

For what it's worth, I had to repair the fuel line right before the fuel filter on my 98 Explorer. I used a compression fitting due to the relatively low pressures in the fuel system. The fitting has been in service for about 7 years now.

I think compression is OK for this application. Is a flared fitting better? Of course, but it's also more difficult to do properly.

 

[CDW6212R]

I suggest buying replacement fuel lines, that's the safest bet. I replaced my main line from the tack to the filter, it was about $40 shipped from Karl many years ago. I'd do the same again if I needed another fuel line. I don't like compression fittings, those are wildly unreliable. Sometimes they work, sometimes they fail. I wouldn't try that for fuel lines. Good luck,

 

[imp]

I think you'd be okay with a compression fitting on the fuel line because you're only dealing with around 70 PSI. Never, never ever use compression fittings on brake lines. Brake line pressures can exceed 1200 PSI and a compression fitting will fail at that kind of pressure. My only concern is that compression fittings are typically used on copper tubing, which is soft where stainless steel is quite hard. IDK if the brass feral would get a good bite on SS when tightened. On copper once the feral is compressed it's not coming off. I recommend you test it before going the compression fitting route to be safe.

@koda2000
Compression fittings are made and used commercially for use in hydraulic systems of 3000 psi and better. In fact, the great majority of high pressure hydraulic fittings I've seen were specialized compression type; however, they are made of steel, and are used on seamless drawn steel tubing.

"Parker's Ferulok 24° Flareless fittings create a visible heavy bite allowing easy inspection and a rear compression grip which firmly holds the nut and tubing, dampening the effects of vibration."

We used these on our rotary oil seal molding machine, which ran at 3000 psi hydraulic pressure, cycling valves on and off (therefore, cylinders) every 4 seconds. Real rough application. All tubing was seamless cold-drawn steel, 3/4" OD.


The hydraulic power unit at right, control valves atop the hydraulic press, were pilot-operated built by Denison Hydraulics. Programming was by pneumatic programmable drum controller.

Another view of the press: