Removing quick connectors from fuel line

[red2200]

Hello, everyone.

First, I'm not asking a question about removing quick connector-type fittings from the component they're attached to. My question is about removing the connectors from the line they're attached to.

I was trying to replace the fuel filter from a friend's car. It was very old and rusted, and did not want to come off. In the process, I damaged two of the three connector fittings. All of these fittings are connected to rubber fuel lines which are all in very good shape.

So, what I had hoped to do was to pull the quick connect fittings (which are plastic) from the rubber fuel lines, and replace just the quick connect fittings. (There are parts made by a company called Dorman which fit the bill. See the attached picture for an example.)

I can't find anything searching the internet about this. (I keep getting more info about disconnecting the line from the filter with the special tool.)

Has anyone used these connectors on the original rubber fuel lines? If so, were you successful?
Does anyone have any advice about pulling the broken quick-connect fittings from the rubber fuel lines? (I'd like to leave them attached to the car, if possible.)

Please help. I don't want to damage this car any further.
Thanks.

[olopezm]

I think you refer to the NYLON lines instead.

AFAIK removing them can only be done by cutting the line. I remember reading in the forums that there is a repair kit for nylon fuel lines available from autozone too.

Installing new connectors to these lines requires a special tool (don't know how it's called) which, I read, it's expensive. Alternately you can put the line in BOILING WATER for a few seconds and then push it into the connector/component you want. I've done this a couple of times.

Sorry that I can't give any better input.

Oscar.

[red2200]

Thanks for your reply, Oscar.

But, I was talking about removing the plastic quick connectors (at least two of the three are broken) from the rubber fuel lines at the fuel filter. I was also hoping to do this without removing the lines at the tank side and the line which connects forward to the steel line (going into the engine).

They are the original fuel lines and they are in very good shape. The elbow connectors are cheap (about $6 each, IIRC).

I must be some kind of pioneer, because I can't find any info on this!

[red2200]

Oscar,

I think I get what you meant by NYLON lines, now.

I thought that those fuel lines were rubber and that the quick connect was pushed into it.

I guess the line is nylon, and just has a rubber sheath over it. I'm not very bright.

Well, at least I didn't break the line trying to force the connector off.

Thanks, again.

[olopezm]

Hi,

You figured it out huh?

In my (short) personal experience, all of the fuel lines that I've seen are either nylon (coming out of the tank or steel (along the vehicles length), and very few are rubber with a thread reinforcement.

I saw the picture you posted and since I don't know what car you're working on, I thought of the nylon lines. I'm glad it gave you an idea of what to do now.

Oscar.

[red2200]

It's a 2001 Taurus DOHC.

I've plugged the two back lines with rubber caps, and am soaking them in very hot water so I can try removing the connectors.

Hopefully, the connectors will loosen up. If this doesn't work I guess it's back to the drawing board.

[olopezm]

Yeah, I remember my Lincoln has some triple coat lines, there is a grey rubber like one, then a white nylon type and finally a transparent (also nylon) one.

Honestly I wasn't able to easily remove them, I got tired of it and instead just used a dremel to cut the line, then I installed a new piece of line. However in my case it was easier since the line was at the injector rail.

Oscar.

[Frohmankf1]

I thought that those fuel lines were rubber and that the quick connect was pushed into it