Fuel supply line leak

[Nuvo]

I've got a B3 coupe that has a pin hole leak on the elbow fuel supply line union. I wanted to remove the short stainless steel braided hose at the bottom of the fuel tank and remove the connection at the fuel accumulator to try and separate the two lines on the bench.

The union at the base of the tank isn't budging with a moderate amount of force using a 6pt fuel line socket. I didn't want to go too hard on this as I don't know what the size of the hex at the base of the threaded port is to counter hold it. Space and visibility is very limited up there.
My guess is that it it will be a 14mm hex but I have yet to confirm this. I'm hoping that open ended crows foot socket will let me counter hold this. If you look at the picture below can see that supply and return ports exit a shallow recessed oval plate which I am concerned may obstruct the crows foot from being properly seated on the hex.

If anyone has done this before please tell me what tools you used for this.

I hope that I can can salvage the braided hose pipe as they are no longer available and I don't want the hassle of having to get one made up.

You can see the elbowed union in the bottom right hand corner is heavily corroded. With the two pipes off the car, could I cut off the elbow and use a induction heater tool on it (on second thoughts that might not be such a good idea as there is a plastic/rubber ferrule on the braided pipe)* and soak it it penetrating fluid to free this off using a 6pt socket? Does any one have related experience on how to tackle this ? I bought two snap-on flare nut wrenches as the jaws on the smaller Halfords Pro was seen to be spreading under load.

*Maybe I could cut two grooves on opposite flats of the female union nut to help release the tension?

As a last resort, I think I will have to remove the fuel tank for improved access, I really hope it doesn't come to that.
Can the the fuel tank be siphoned using a hose or is there an anti-siphon mesh in place to prohibit this?

[RedV6]

That fitting on the braided hose at the tank end looks pretty nasty also. Probably best to remove the tank to reduce the chance of damaging the tank. Removing the tank is an easy job. You can drain the fuel by disconnecting any part of the supply pipe on its way to the filter/accumulator. Or you can remove the fuel pump/gauge sender and syphon it from there. I've not tried via the filler it might work but might be tricky to get it all out.

[K Simmonds]

I think I'd cut the leaking line and remove the tank to tackle that to avoid damaging it as mentioned above as well vastly improving access, you'll find it less hassle in the long run if you want to try and save the braided hose. Heat really is your friend on any stuck fittings and obviously that doesn't mix well with a live fuel system, induction heaters are very good and you don't need to get it roasting, use a pair of large mole grips on whats left of the crusty 14mm nut to act as a heat sink to protect the rubber section.

I always empty the tanks on pretty much any car by jumping power to the pump itself and attaching a length of fuel resistant hose to wherever I've undone a union or had to cut it. That'll get the tank close to dry on a level surface and the rest can be dealt with once the tank is open, it would be a good opportunity to clean the pump strainer out as well as any other crap in the bottom of the tank.

[Nuvo]

Thanks for the advice chaps, I'll order some fuel resistant hose and two Jerry cans and make a start on this as soon as possible.

[RedV6]

Hope this helps. Here are some pics of my "already removed tank". The fitting on the tank does mot appear to have any hexagon, plus even if it did, I think it would be very difficult to get anything on it with the return pipe fitting right next to it.
I would say (and I will) if it doesn't come undone easily, it would be best to sacrifice the braided hose

[Nuvo]

Thank you very much, that is very helpful and appreciated.

I think your pictures do appear to show a hex, or rather what remains of a heavily corroded hex. Well, at least to my eyes, that is what I see.
Mine will almost certainly be in a similar condition as yours if not worse.

Yes, I agree the neighbouring return pipe certainly won't help me here. I'll update with pictures when I start on this to show my progress or lack thereof.

[Nuvo]

Well I've drained ~60 litres from the tank and there's still a little bit in there. I ended up siphoning it rather than using the fuel pump to drain it as I was concerned about the fuel vapour in a relatively confined space. I'm finding it impossible to remove the pump and the basket from the tank just using my hands to turn it loose.

I've done this before many moons ago when these cars weren't that old, I'm wondering is it possible to remove the pump and leave the basket in place as this would remove the fuel damper at the top of the pump which is the main obstruction here.

If not, then I may use 4" pipe and bolts to make a tool as posted by Trankelstein.

Thanks for any tips on how to do this.

[Tractor Dave]

About 4ft length of 2x1 inch timber. Locate one end on the right side of the basket against one of the tabs. Give it a gentle whack with a large rubber mallet. In doing so you are rotating the basket counter clockwise and it will release.

[Nuvo]

Thanks Dave, I'll give that a try.

[Tractor Dave]

If that fails i can lend you the tool my boy 3d printed for me

[Nuvo]

Thanks again Dave, I appreciate the kind offer. I managed to get it out in the end.

I found removing the sender isn't exactly straightforward, trying to get the top to clear the raised pins is tricky. I assume this is be because the seal needs to be compressed. Getting the sender out of the tank is a bit nerve wracking too as its quite a fragile looking part.

I was able to free of the short braided hose with the tank out of the car, I just soaked the connect with Plus Gas a few times and was able to get it off using an injector socket with a ratchet. Note to RedV6, you were absolutely right, the threaded supply port doesn't have a hex on it which is just as well really as no spanner would ever fit in the area. I didn't have a camera to hand to show my efforts.

I cleaned the pump strainer with brake cleaner and removed a small amount of debris from the tank with a clean paper towel.

With the tank back in the car, the only real challenge remaining is to source a replacement braided hose.

Thanks again to all for the help along the way with this.

[RedV6]

Good stuff, we'll mostly! If you find a solution for the braided pipe, elbow etc. perhaps you could post pics and details as I am in exactly the same situation, although not as urgently as you! Cheers

[Nuvo]

Yes, I can certainly do that for you. I'll try contacting a few companies to see if they can help.
If I can find a suitable supplier, I could request to get an additional one made at the same time if that is of interest to you?

[RedV6]

Yea absolutely. As you can see from my posts I am a little way off. I need to remake all of the fuel system from the engine flexies to the tank. But I would definitely have two sets (one for spare).

[K Simmonds]

Well done, I forgot to to mention the fumes, it's not a job to do in an enclosed area!

I think I'd get a one piece flexi pipe made up to do away with the elbow etc, it's possible to make them at home the only problem is getting the fittings.