Beware of Summit Branded braided hose!!!

[Kevin Panzino]

Ken, if this belongs in the tech section feel free to move it. But I wanted to get this issue out to as large an audience as possible.

Last year when pulling my car out from the garage for the first time in the spring, I noticed a bit of an odd haze coming up from the engine compartment (thankfully I still had the hood off and saw it quickly). Turns out a -8 braided fuel line was spraying fuel out of the sheath at 60 psi. No abrasion or distress seen on the braid, just the rubber under it had failed. Was concerned but just figured it was an odd ball.

Well yesterday the same thing happened on my dyno just before a pull on a friends engine. Started the fuel pump to check for fuel rail leaks before starting the engine and a huge mist and cloud of fuel was flying out of one of the -8 lines, right near the headers. Had that happened during the pull, I would have had one hell of a dyno room fire on my hands.

In both cases the hoses were the summit branded hoses, and no damage at all to the braid, just a failure of the rubber inside.

I’m changing everything out to name brand hoses once I figure out who doesn’t have them made in China.
I also plan on getting the black “sleeve” stuff to put over the new hoses so at least it won’t spray out if they fail.

Understand all the talk of lithium battery fires, but this is an item which puts way more of us at risk in my opinion.

Kp

[Mike Fuller]

Unfortunately these suppliers are buying goods from China at a fraction of the price that good quality parts cost. Jegs brand fittings and hoses are also from China. The material that was used was not formulated for use with petrochemicals. Chinese parts on a race car are always a risk. I have had similar issues with these items.

[Angelo DiTocco]

Kevin, how old were the hoses?

[Mike Gray]

I had that happen to my S/ST car the first time out for a new season. Fired it up to back it off the trailer with the hood off and fuel was spraying all over the engine compartment, luckily no fire. Turned out all my hoses were bad and leaking from fuel tank to carb. It was after using the “Trick” racing fuel in the late 80’s or early 90’s. I believe it had some alcohol or another chemical in it and it made all the rubber parts hard and brittle.
Was your fuel checked?

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Kevin Panzino

The hoses were the summit branded hoses, and no damage at all to the braid, just a failure of the rubber inside.

you got what you wanted and paid for, JUNK!

Meanwhile, the hoses and fittings in my Firebird are now 21 years old and not one has ever failed! Matter of fact, I’ve never had one fitting nor hose leak in any of my race cars in 32 years. Of course I’ve never used Chinese junk!

[Kevin Panzino]

Originally Posted by Angelo DiTocco

Kevin, how old were the hoses?

In both cases about 5 years old, Ang.


Kp

[Kevin Panzino]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

you got what you wanted and paid for, JUNK!

Meanwhile, the hoses and fittings in my Firebird are now 21 years old and not one has ever failed! Matter of fact, I’ve never had one fitting nor hose leak in any of my race cars in 32 years. Of course I’ve never used Chinese junk!

Thanks for the reply from the forum's biggest A.H., bar none. Congrats.

[340Cuda]

I have had Aeroquip hose do the same thing, however the hose was at least twenty-five years old.

[FED 387]

I personally change out our fuel hoses EVERY 2-3 racing seasons--- The chemicals that are in todays gasoline's play complete havoc on the inner linings on the braided hoses. Many manufacturers like Aero Quip and others "suggest" they be replaced periodically. This offers complete peace of mind as well as knowing that maybe an unseen inner lining has started to deteriorate, no chunks, pieces in carbs or injector passages or leaks in the hoses themselves. Just like tires they get old and may look good but they are deteriorating and could cause problems.--FED 387

[Mike Gray]

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

I have had Aeroquip hose do the same thing, however the hose was at least twenty-five years old.

Mine were Russel hoses, maybe 3 or 4 years old.