Problems with disconnect duckbill fuel line connector.

[mange1234]

Ford call it a quick connect, duckbill connector, used on fuel oil lines. However, it is anything but a quick disconnect connector. It takes an act of congress to disconnect one of these confounded connector when the access in limited. Even with the OEM tool, which does not work, and in my opinion, totally useless.

But, I solved the problem. Instead of fighting the connector,buying tools that do not work, I drilled a hole in top of the connector and pryed the retainer spring out.

This does not compromise the intergity of the fuel line.

New springs can be purchased at Auto Zone for about $4.00 for a pack of three or four.

I recently cut a trap door in back floor to access the fuel oil pump. I cut a 7 inch x 7 inch square hole to expose the top of the fuel tank and fuel pump top. However, the problem was, the disconnect tool did not work. And, there was no room to work to use other methods of disconnecting the fuel lines.

So, then the bright idea of drilling the hole and removing the spring that way.

I will post some pics once I figure out how to do so.

Dont for get, safety is the first order of business when cutting and working over the fuel tank and gasoline.

Mike in Virginia Beach

 

[Dono]

Mike, I'd love to see a pic of what you mean. Those connectors are not easy to get apart. Plastic, or metal tool....they are less than easy.

 

[SlaminFool]

I did this same thing a week ago. Cutting a trap door was a lot easier than fighting with the extremely rusted bolts on the tank strap I got a metal tool from Harbour Freight that is used for fuel lines, and it wasn't that hard. I got the multi colored pack with 4 sizes. BUT When I was replacing the fuel filter, the metal tool didn't work, so I bought the 6 pack of plastic tools. That worked fine. You just gotta push and pull it certain ways

 

[mange1234]

Fuel line disconnect connector

Mike, I'd love to see a pic of what you mean. Those connectors are not easy to get apart. Plastic, or metal tool....they are less than easy.

I just posted the following post on this forum. Once one relizes how simple the internal part of the connector is, it will help to disconnect. The tools do not work. They are designed to push the small spring fingers away from the raised section of the fuel line, and let the line slip out. However, it is very difficult to move these small springs. Specially if one is under the vehicle of has limited access working space, such as the seven inch hole cut out of the floor to get to the fuel pumps and tank. Hope this helps.

Turdle;3032921]I do not believe you can disconnect the thing on top. I might be wrong about this.
The fuel lines are weird. Sometimes you fight them and cannot get it to release, other times the same one seems to fall apart when you return to it.
That is the best advice I can give, other than making sure the little spring clips are cleaned out before you insert the tool. It always seems to me the next tool larger than the one which fits well works better too. Tape over you newly cut edges to protect your knuckles.

It is possible to disconnect the fuel line connectors from the top, because I just did it. And, want to share with others, since previously, I struggled for hours trying to get them disconnected, until I did my home work and realized that it is just a small spring or clip inside the female part of the connector which can be removed by drilling a hole about 1/8 inch, and push the spring out. Dont worry about damaging the spring or clip, since they are available at Auto Zone for about three or four of them for $3-4 bucks.

I posted a picture of the spring and a picture on where to drill the hole to push and pry the spring out.

The spring is just sitting there loosely in the female cavity and will remove with no problems.

Since I am a newbie and dont know how to post pics yet, I have posted some pictures on my facebook for members to see. My face book name is "Samuel Clemens." There are several Samuel Clemens on facebook. But, mine will be the one with a picture of a blue, 1993 Ford Explorer.

If anyone wants pic of some other things I have done with the connector and cutting the "trapdoor' go to my facebook or my email address is [michaelange@verizon.net] I am anxious to help others on this forum since I have been given invaluable help and want to return the favor.

Mike in Virginia Beach

 

[rumblecloud]

I realize this is an extremely old post, but does anyone have any more information about this work around for the duck bill fitting?
I'm about to cut the line and replace it with a quick disconnect fitting. The duck bill I'm dealing with is the one that connects to the in-line fuel filter on a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.

Thanks in advance.
R