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K-jet Injector Line and Related Questions (B21F)

jsun245

New member
Joined
Feb 11, 2018
Location
Massachusetts, USA
So I was setting about to replace the large o-rings on my injectors today, just as PM - and also as a start on eliminating a rough idle that's starting to develop - and I noticed before I started that the fuel line running into the #3 cylinder injector has the outer rubber cracked in several spots...to the extent that you can see the hard (plastic?) line inside. It also looks like the injector holders on all 4 cylinders are slightly cracked where they bolt into the head. They're probably original on this 45 year old car....just about everything is original on this car.

So I cautiously decided NOT to mess with anything 'less I bust something and wind up in deeper doo and a non-running car without parts on hand. Hence my questions:

1) I know I can buy new injector holders from IPD, etc. So that's good. But should I go ahead and replace all 4 figuring that old plastic just needs replacing? Or am I better off leaving well enough alone and only replacing those that actually break? They're only $8 each, so yeah, I guess I answered my own question there.

2) (this is the main question) Do I need to replace the fuel line running to the #3 injector? Or does cracked rubber not really indicate anything other than old cracked rubber? The lines all look good down at the fuel distributor end and other than #3, I don't currently see any cracks. But as I start to actually pull out the injectors (yeah, I have the little SP lever tool, and anyway, I expect that they'll pop right out as very little on this car seems seized or frozen....great, now I've probably jinxed myself. Ugh.) will the lines fall apart into dust (like something out of Raiders from the Lost Ark)?

3) Are there any economical ways to replace these lines, any superior (and/or less expensive) solutions than buying the part from Volvo? I ask this in particular because if I end up needing/wanting to replace all 4 lines, that could add up to significant (in TB $) bucks.

I haven't seen much discussion here about the fuel lines themselves. So I figured I'd ask.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
The outer covers have nothing to do with fuel transport. If you are not seeing signs of leaking I would not mess with them. I had to replace a couple due to a small fire and they are not cheap even at a JY.

Seems that I remember that one of the regulars on this forum sold the hard tubing by the foot if you want to go the trouble of fixing what's not broke.

I would replace the injector seals. They get hard as glass and can be a source of vacuum leaks.
 
1, yes you answered your question. That old plastic is crap.
2, the lines inside are what carries the fuel. If you are worried about the line being protected. Get some large heat shrink tubing and slide it over when you have the injector off and shrink it down to protect the line.
3.The only 'superior' lines are ones like VW and Audi used which are braided stainless high pressure fuel lines. You could change to that if you have any issues. But if it's not broken. The stock stuff can outlast the car.
 
If you go down the route of replacing the fuel line; you can buy new kjet fuel line from a company called Unobtainium supplies. I have bought from them before and had a good experience. They specialise in Ferrari, but kjet is still kjet. As for the fittings, you can buy new although they are very expensive. If your handy enough, cut or melt the old line off your current fittings and reuse them. Be very careful to not nick the fittings what so ever.
 
That means do not cut the hose off with a knife. The shrink seal is not adequate to overcome any imperfections.

^^ Yes. Sure way to ruin a termination is to nick the barb with a knife.

fline8486.jpg


fline8487.jpg
 
Thanks everyone! I certainly hope to avoid needing new lines as it sounds like a total pita - and/or expensive - to deal with broken ones. My concern really was that as I go to pull the injectors to replace the seals I would end up breaking the lines inside if they are brittle and fragile. But it sounds like that's not likely. Right?

My intention is to NOT disconnect the line from the injector but rather to gently pull them and just replace the o-rings....and then to insert them back in new holders (which are now on the way).
 
If you go down the route of replacing the fuel line; you can buy new kjet fuel line from a company called Unobtainium supplies. I have bought from them before and had a good experience. They specialise in Ferrari, but kjet is still kjet. As for the fittings, you can buy new although they are very expensive. If your handy enough, cut or melt the old line off your current fittings and reuse them. Be very careful to not nick the fittings what so ever.

Good grief... I just went to the Unobtanium link (here and in another older TB thread) and lo and behold they're located in my own town about 6 miles from where I live. Which is kind of amazing given that my town is a tiny place in the middle of nowhere (where I have the only kjet Volvo as far as I know).

So, I guess if I do break something, I'm close enough to a source for getting new tubing to make new lines.

Not that I want to break anything.
 
I covered the protective covering with shrink wrap as a solution to the appearance issue. Looks as new.
 
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