Carb or Fuel Line Deterioration?

Has anyone seen braided fuel line deteriorate over years? I use it from the tank to my carb, it's been there about 5 years. My carb wouldn't let the car run, finally sent it backto Bigs and they said it was clogged up with some gunk. I also had my fuel filter clog up as well. Now I'm putting the car back on the streetand today same thing. Dump fuel in the carb to get it running but once that's gone the shooters hardly move any fuel. Pulled the bowls and found what Bigs must have been talking about Not sure if maybe there was some residual left between the filter and the carb when I put the carb from Bigs back on becuase the brass filter in the Edelbrock filter is clean on both sides. Pulled the dual feed line apart as well, it's clean. I guess I'll pull the carb apart and clean it and just keep an eye on it. Just wondering if anyone else has seen fuel line rubber break down over a few years?

 

Absolutely it can be a problem, especially with braided lines that are made from low buck elastomers like neoprene or EPDM blends which have poor chemical resistance, especially today's fuel with the ethanol content. Do you know what type of material you're running?

Devon

 

Not sure, It's been 5 years since I put the car back together, but if I had to guess I'd say it was Earls line. That's typically what I bought from Jegs. I thought maybe it was the floats, since they're about the same color, but taking a close look it doesn't look like that's the source. Just got back from the store with a new fuel filter, carb cleaner and bowl/metering block gaskets. I'll tear it apart, clean it up and put it back together and see if the issue returns!

 

I do not use the rubber lined stuff. Teflon only.

 

I'm curious about this. Neoprene will stand up to gasoline, but I don't know about ethanol. Guess I'll have to ask some chemists at work.

 

I looked into it, your guys will agree that I'm mistaken. Neoprene actually does fine with Ethanol and Methanol.

Devon