4.3 L Vortec Fuel Feed/Return Lines

[bass440]

Lately my 1995 S-10 Blazer has been running very poorly, with such error codes as 'multiple cylinder misfire', 'over-rich mixture' etc.

So last week inside the Vortec manifold I first replaced the CMFI fuel regulator by itself. That didn't do it, it actually ran much worse. So I then replaced the fuel line/regulator assembly. I believe this is called the 'spider assy'. It ran slightly better, but still not right, so last night I pulled the upper manifold again, and finally found my problem. There are two molded, thin-walled brittle plastic tubes coming from steel bulkhead barb fittings on the manifolds back wall, and these go to the fuel regulator, or the 'body' of the spider. One is fuel feed, the other is fuel return.

Since the GM designer's that so diligently design out wrench clearances and accessibility for repair whenever possible (or so it seems) laid out these tubes such that the feed line and one of the spider feed lines are trying to occupy the same space, they rub on each other and eventually wear a hole in the line. This is what was obvious to me once I finally pulled of this feed line. The hole in the feed line was aimed toward the number one cylinder, and flooding/pooling gas in that area, while starving the rest of the cylinders for gas.

So I tried my friendly parts counter at first, who referred me to Mr. Garbage Wrench. Of course, one of the lines has been discontinued by GM (how many gazillion of these engines are still on the road?), and the other one was something like $140. I bit my tongue, and politely thanked the parts counter guy for wasting his time, and said I think I'll go a different route.

So I was thinking why wouldn't it work to get a couple feet of neoprene high pressure fuel hose, some good clamps, and just make my own lines? There's plenty of room for clamps. There are barbed connections at either end. I'll use the hose that is compatible with this higher pressure fuel system. I can't for the life of me see why this wouldn't work. Unless operating temperatures might be too high inside the manifold.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice on this fix? I appreciate all your help.

Thanks,
Bass440

[blazee]

You'd be better off buying the replacements from GM. It sounds like they were looking up the wrong parts. Both lines are included in one package. The lines are called a "nut kit". The part number is 17112705. They should cost $80-$90 from the dealer, or about $60 if you order them from www.GMPartsDirect.com.

[joeuser742]

Originally Posted by blazee

You'd be better off buying the replacements from GM. It sounds like they were looking up the wrong parts. Both lines are included in one package. The lines are called a "nut kit". The part number is 17112705. They should cost $80-$90 from the dealer, or about $60 if you order them from www.GMPartsDirect.com.

I tried looking for this part by the part number you provided and just by searching for it and cannot find it. Just found it at rockauto.

[blazee]

Where were you searching?

I got a direct match from GMPartsDirect.

I got 13 results from the Blazer forum.

I got 315 results from google.

[bass440]

You're absolutely right. What I needed was the 17112705 'Nut Kit' (the 'nut' reference must be to whomever decided to call it a 'Nut Kit'!). I just picked one up at the local dealer for $83.

Thanks for the help.

[ZL1power69]

i got mine at gmpartszone.com for $55 i think.

[tunetoon]

Advanced auto. BWD part # 28430 $51.98