[T2] Fuel line lifespan?

[John Anderson]

Ned, I wouldn't give it a second thought just from air exposure.  Is it a trivially degraded sure, but shit little podunk hydraulic places probably have their less common sizes sit on rolls for 10-20 years before use channeling 5000psi fluid that will cut you like a knife.  I don't even routinely replace my IN SERVICE fuel lines but once about every 10 years.  Blah, blah, blah bus fires and all.  I've owned more buses/Vanagons than most, easily averaged 2/year for 15 years.  Have I seen em burn down with original 70's vintage (which are sometimes even now still in service) sure I have, but I drive my '94 Suburban, '97 C1500, and '01 Yukon, my "new" cars all with original high pressure FI hoses on them that can't easily be replaced.  Yeah the '94 gives me pause but it is "low high pressure" at least.  And I carry 2 extinguishers in all my rigs.  So up to 10 years on good German smooth FI, or cloth covered even when on the car doesn't scare me a
 bit.  In the drawer for 5 years, hell, there are little import parts stores that would still be selling that new today.
 
YMMV on this one, a lot as usual.
 
I'd be far more concerned about the condition of the bulkhead grommet on the ring main, and of course be sure you swap out all hoses, especially including the injector stubs as long mentioned.  Though as always I encourage people to ditch the arcane Bosch style and go with a modern tip style injector from Autozone/Advance if they are near you as the injectors likely need replaced if sitting dry for more than a couple years.  I'd also be damn concerned about my brake lines if not done in the last 10 years.
 
John
 

________________________________
 From: Ned Savoie <ned at harbourlight.com>
To: "type2 at type2.com" <type2 at type2.com> 
Sent: Thursday, August 1, 2013 12:47 PM
Subject: [T2] Fuel line lifespan?
  

Hey all,

I ordered fuel line from Bus Depot in 2008, and just now getting close to
putting the motor back in. Am I being foolish to use fuel line with an
additional 5 years on it? Should I just order new hose? It's been sitting
in a drawer unmolested by chemicals or sun...

Thanks in advance,

Ned