F Pipes splitting within a year?

[LotusMonkey]

Hi all,

The image below is of a pair of F pipes that were purchased from a UK supplier as new, not used. They have been on the car about 9 months tops, but are showing signs of splitting already. Given they were about £40 each, it seems really poor quality, and they have not been moved since they were put on and the car hardly used. Before I go back to the supplier, I wanted to see what others think. As far as I can see the tubing they are connected to is the original with the car, so I don't think it is that, let me know if you disagree (Lotus Excel SE 1989).

Let me know your thoughts, as at the moment, I think of asking the supplier to replace them as the rubber may have been dry or something, as I don't want to be replacing these every couple of years as I know the originals are hard to get anyway.

Thanks,

Duncs

[barker_001]

Unfortunately, I had the same thing happen. The ones on the car when I bought it were split, and the genuine replacements I bought later on split within a year or two as well. So I came up with this, using small (I believe it was 4mm) inside diameter silicon hose, and those little T-piece type connectors used for washer hoses etc. I replaced all my hoses at the same time since they were getting a bit ripe, and the setup has lasted about 10 years with no further leaks or problems.

[LotusMonkey]

Unfortunately, I had the same thing happen. The ones on the car when I bought it were split, and the genuine replacements I bought later on split within a year or two as well. So I came up with this, using small (I believe it was 4mm) inside diameter silicon hose, and those little T-piece type connectors used for washer hoses etc. I replaced all my hoses at the same time since they were getting a bit ripe, and the setup has lasted about 10 years with no further leaks or problems.

Thanks for sharing Bryan. F pipes can't have done that originally on the cars though, in terms of splitting that quickly. I am trying to restore car to original spec wherever possible, so it would be a shame to have to drop the F pipes. Be interesting to see what others think. I even wondered if there was some sort of rubber repair I could think of using. At the moment though I just feel hard done by £80 for something splitting in 9 months does not sit well with me as a reasonable expectation for a product sold as unused.

[MetBlue]

My guess Is these F pipes, although 'new' were manufactured MANY years ago and have been on a shelf.

Material has started to degrade, hence not really fit for purpose any more. I have the same set up as Bryan, which cost pennies and lasts for ever.

Bit of a dilemma though if your seeking total originality. Maybe fill the cracks, paint black and treat as a non running Show Time temporary fit.

[LotusMonkey]

My guess Is these F pipes, although 'new' were manufactured MANY years ago and have been on a shelf.

Material has started to degrade, hence not really fit for purpose any more. I have the same set up as Bryan, which cost pennies and lasts for ever.

Bit of a dilemma though if your seeking total originality. Maybe fill the cracks, paint black and treat as a non running Show Time temporary fit.

I did wonder if there was a solution to stabilise the cracks, and even 'feed' the rubber to give it more of a chance - for example rubber grease.

D

[Marten]

Hi all,

The image below is of a pair of F pipes that were purchased from a UK supplier as new, not used. They have been on the car about 9 months tops, but are showing signs of splitting already. Given they were about £40 each, it seems really poor quality, and they have not been moved since they were put on and the car hardly used. Before I go back to the supplier, I wanted to see what others think. As far as I can see the tubing they are connected to is the original with the car, so I don't think it is that, let me know if you disagree (Lotus Excel SE 1989).

Not familiar with these hoses, but are they rubbber hoses connected to plastic pipes or rubber protecting plastic pipes inside? Original rubber is now old rubber and probably not well suited to all the nasties in modern fuels, new rubber could be crap from China and far removed from the specs printed on te side.

If these are just lenghts of rubber hose (as opposed to a hose moulded to shape) I'd just replace them with new E10 resistant hose of the correct ID. The stuff with a woven reinforcement might last a bit longer too

[LotusMonkey]

Hi all,

The image below is of a pair of F pipes that were purchased from a UK supplier as new, not used. They have been on the car about 9 months tops, but are showing signs of splitting already. Given they were about £40 each, it seems really poor quality, and they have not been moved since they were put on and the car hardly used. Before I go back to the supplier, I wanted to see what others think. As far as I can see the tubing they are connected to is the original with the car, so I don't think it is that, let me know if you disagree (Lotus Excel SE 1989).

Not familiar with these hoses, but are they rubbber hoses connected to plastic pipes or rubber protecting plastic pipes inside? Original rubber is now old rubber and probably not well suited to all the nasties in modern fuels, new rubber could be crap from China and far removed from the specs printed on te side.

If these are just lenghts of rubber hose (as opposed to a hose moulded to shape) I'd just replace them with new E10 resistant hose of the correct ID. The stuff with a woven reinforcement might last a bit longer too

Yep definitely worth considering. I spoke to the supplier and while they offered a refund as the product is obsolete, they also suggested using PU adhesive, and I do want to keep them for the car. I am going to repair them with polyurethane adhesive given they are now obsolete.

[Tanz]

Unfortunately, I had the same thing happen. The ones on the car when I bought it were split, and the genuine replacements I bought later on split within a year or two as well. So I came up with this, using small (I believe it was 4mm) inside diameter silicon hose, and those little T-piece type connectors used for washer hoses etc. I replaced all my hoses at the same time since they were getting a bit ripe, and the setup has lasted about 10 years with no further leaks or problems.

I didn''t realise that later cars had a vacuuum connection for each barrel on the carburettor. Here's my 1988 car's set up.