I just installed a Racor RK-32313 fuel filter on my 04 GMC 6.6 Diesel. After installing fuel filter I called Racor about a wiring question. They said I had old instructions and the filter should be mounted 4 inches toward the engine. Well I said the filter is already installed. Anyway I didn't like the way the fuel hoses came into & out of the filter. Truck ran OK. Well I change the fuel hoses yesterday and this lead's to my question. Above the fuel cooler there is a 1/2" steel line (supply fuel line)that go's into a braided flex hose at the factory crimp fitting that connects both the 1/2" steel line to the braided hose line. At this fitting I can turn the 1/2" steel line an the braided hose line stays still. I don't know if this line suppose to turn or not turn. Has any one else had this problem. Truck runs good and I haven't found any leaks after shutting off the truck; I keep looking an nothing yet. Would appreciate any answer on this.

Thanks

It sounds like you're at 1 of the quick connect fittings which do allow the line to turn.

Hound
If this is a quick connect fitting will this come apart where the braided hose and the 1/2" steel line are. I think I remember this kind of fitting a long time ago. I believe it just turns but won't come apart. I just can't believe they are us'ing something like this when the fuel line is in a small vacuum when the fuel pump is on.

Hound
I just can't believe they are us'ing something like this when the fuel line is in a small vacuum when the fuel pump is on.


It's not a small vacuum under load and you are not alone in questioning the sanity. Some have gone as far as eliminating them or adding a lift pump to make it a positive (barely) pressure system.

When I installed my Racor R660 Filter, I eliminated the braided flex hose entirely, for exactly the reason you mention. There are quick disconnect fittings on each end of this hose (fuel tank and steel fuel line behind fuel cooler). The quick disconnect fittings seemed very cheap and your betting on one small rubber o-ring to seal everything. I ran a 7/16 inch rubber fuel line from fuel tank nipple to Racor filter and a 7/16 inch rubber fuel line from Racor filter to steel fuel line behind fuel cooler. I used the 7/16 inch fuel line on the advice of "abear" to reduce the possibility of air leaks.

OC_DMAX
Did you have to drop the tank down any to get to the fuel tank nipple or could you put it on without dropping the tank. I don't know or have heard of him (abear) before. But I know there is rubber hose on other parts of the fuel line and I don't think they are 7/16". I wouldn't think a 1/2" line would make a difference. I would like to know his reasoning on this. They have fuel lines that are better an will hold a slight vacuum. Thanks for your input on this. Also you are restricting the fuel flow a little with 7/16" I would like to know more about this.

I was going to ask you also. Did you have to drop the tank to get the tool in to release the fuel line fitting and install a hose with hose clamp? When JK gets his lift pump kit ready I believe this is how he will recomend it being installed so as to reduce possible vacuum leaks verses just cutting the line down at the frame.


Thanks,


Steve

GMC-DMAX and YZF1R,


I did not drop the tank. It was a very tight fit to get my hand to the top of the tank. I had to bend the aluminum tank shield down slightly at the top of the tank and jack the back of the truck up slightly to allow room for my body to get between the fuel tank and drive line. The most difficult task was getting the quick disconnect to disengage. It took several minutes of fiddling. Once the old line was out of the way, the new rubber fuel line with hose clamp was on in no time. I had to use a mirror to see what I was doing. Others have lowered the tank slightly.


The Nicktane Filter system uses the same approach (ie. removes the braided fuel hose). Check out that part of the forum, you will find a lot of discussion/posts with respect to getting access to the top of the tank, how diffficult it is and lots of complaining about getting the quick disconnects to disengage. This should help you out a lot.


http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=27 (Nicktane Forum)


I used the 7/16 inch fuel line to make sure there was an absolute seal between the rubber line and the steel tube / plastic nipple. Your right, 1/2 inch line will probably work fine, I just went with what was recommended at the time (summer 2003). I don't believe the 7/16 inch line is restricting the fuel system. I have the Kent-Moore Vacuum gauge that hooks up to the fuel test port. I measured the fuel system vacuum before and after the filter install and detected no difference (measures down to 0.25 inHg).





GMC_DMAX - your post caught my attention because I went through the same thought process in July, 2003. I was going to cut the steel fuel line to install the Pre-OEM filter. I was handling the fuel line near the frame rail, getting ready to cut it and noticed the Quick-disconnect connector behind the fuel cooler was moving around a lot. It seemed really flaky to me, so I stopped and did not cut the steel line. I took the line apart to inspect the connector and it looked a little cheap to me. So I altered my install, removed the braided hose, etc. (Others including "Kennedy, Chuntag95, abear and Jpblock" had been down this path in early 2003 and reported the same thoughts on the connector in their famous hunt for air leaks as posted on The Diesel Page.) It is worthy to note that I do not believe anyone actually found an air leak at the quick disconnects, they were just suspicious because of the connector quality factor.


YZF1R - I have had many YZ dirt bikes over the years, YZ250, YZ465, YZ490, YZ250, YZ425 (in that order) but alas, I now have a Honda XR600R. Got tired of maintaining the two cycles. (I assume your forum handle is for the Yamaha road race bike!)





Later,


AlanEdited by: OC_DMAX

OC_DMAX
Thanks for the info. If I encounter a problem at least now, I know how to correct it. Thanks for your post.

Thanks Again

OC_DMAX: Thanks for the reply. I was dreading having to lower the tank to install the JK lift pump kit, but if I did I did. If I just cut the lines I would be forever wondering if I'm sucking air.


Yes, the forum handle is for the Yamaha. I owned quite a few DT fu fu bikes over the years also. Enjoyed running enduros and hare scrambles.


Steve