mycomike

I hope one of you knowledgeable fellows can solve my problem. I am not much of a mechanic, so please bear with me! I have a good drip coming from a quick-connect fitting that is directly below the driver's door. It is where a metal fuel line from the tank connects to a metal mesh (covered) line that goes to the engine. The quick-connect fitting is stuck because the plastic piece inside it is all smashed up inside it. I even broke a metal removal tool trying to get the dang thing off! So my question is, can I just cut the fitting off and connect the other hoses together somehow? Does the hose leading to the engine slide over the metal line so I can just clamp it? I really don't want to buy a whole new line just to get a new fitting. I can't even get it off the truck! It barely starts and runs like crap due to the leak, I hope. If I drive it for a little while, it runs great!?!

Any help greatly appreciated!

patdaly

First off, one of Dodges better ideas.......... NOT!

The fix is simple, there are 2, a 5/16" return and a 3/8" feed.

Just remove the hose end and use either diesel rated ( SAE J30 I think? ) hose straight from the engine to the steel hardline and remove that quick connect crap. it was going to start leaking anyway....... Most of us have run rubber all the way to the fuel tank by now. I still have some of my steel line left, but next time it rusts thru it will be rubber all the way.

Oh yea, WELCOME to DTR!

Lary Ellis (Top)

Be sure you buy good diesel rated fuel line regular rubber just melts and you will do it again. A high quality Marine Grade is the way to go

mycomike

Awesome! Thanks to you both! I was hoping to be able to use the existing hose, but that should be pretty simple to do. We have a boat shop in the area and I bet they have the fuel line. Anyone know how much I need? Should I just leave the old line there or do I need to rip it out of there?

BTW, quick-connect = crap!

oliver foster

I left the old line right where there where.
I ran new lines the whole way.

My lines rotted out on the road 4 hours from home, with a '90 12v dually dump truck on the trailer.
After getting 18 wheeler tow trucked off the highway and sleeping in my truck.
I got a ride to the local parts store bought some batteries, and 20 feet of each line and a few clamps.
Fixed it right in the park and ride lot in the rain.

Good times.
It was better than the $1600 tow home quote I was given.

bjytech

I just replaced my supply fuel line on my truck and I got 15ft of hose and had a little over a foot left over (extended cab, longbed), replaced all lines from the tank to the injection pump though so you wouldn't need quite that much.

mycomike

Oliver - Thanks I thought that was the way to go.
bjytech - Thanks for helping me ballpark it!

Alright one more question - What is the best way to get the screwed up quick connect fitting off? I can't get it to release the metal line! I got so mad at it I just started yanking on it all and thinking I'd rather replace the metal line than fight with the stupid fitting anymore (With diesel running down both forearms of course)!

patdaly

I just went under the truck a few feet back and whacked the steel lines......... A small Rigid brand mini tubing cutter is a godsend though......

mycomike

Awesome thanks patdaly, and everyone else! I gotta hunt down that marine fuel line (thanks for the tip!) and then I'm in business!

patdaly

Larry B's is a great place to get specialty stuff for our trucks. He isn't the absolute cheapest, but has the good stuff that is hard to find.

Fuel line from him is $ 4.17/ft. or he has a short kit to replace from the quick connector or another kit to go all the way.

Larryb - Dodge Fuel System parts - Dodge Cummins Diesel