Clamp or not to clamp - braided fabric covered hoses

[bosco659]

This comes from beetle world but is applicable to bikes too. As I am getting my beetle back on the road I decided to buy some fancy fuel line that has a braided cloth covering over the rubber hose. I had planned to use that on the car with appropriately sized clamps. Then this morning I read and watched a couple of videos that warned that you should not clamp this type of hose. Apparently this has been an argued point for many years and it’s a 50/50 split between clamp and no clamp.. For my, I’d prefer clamping it especially where there’s some pressure involved. The one video said the clamp will damage the rubber hose and accelerates degradation.

I noticed last year that many Beemers (bikes) have this type of fuel hose and most that I saw did not use clamps. Mind you, this was in a gravity supply situation only.

When I took the the beetle apart, I didn’t pay attention at the time, but now that I think of it there weren’t any clamps on the fuel lines (non pressure side). This was on 6mm smooth fuel line (no barbs).

Anyone have any intel on this?

 

[Jim]

This the stuff you're referring to, Vic?

 

[Jim]

OK, I'm gonna go on the assumption that's the stuff you're talking about....

We used to put heat shrink on the ends. Slide about 2" of heat shrink on both ends and also slide your clamps on. Then push the hose on the barbs. Once the hose is where you want it, slide the heat shrink up to the end with about an 1/8" sticking out and put the heat to it. Once that's done, slide the clamp up into place and tighten.

You can even get fancy and used colored heat shrink. Red goes nicely with fuel lines.

 

[AUTOMAN]

OK, I'm gonna go on the assumption that's the stuff you're talking about....

We used to put heat shrink on the ends. Slide about 2" of heat shrink on both ends and also slide your clamps on. Then push the hose on the barbs. Once the hose is where you want it, slide the heat shrink up to the end with about an 1/8" sticking out and put the heat to it. Once that's done, slide the clamp up into place and tighten.

You can even get fancy and used colored heat shrink. Red goes nicely with fuel lines.

That is an excellent idea.

 

[Jim]

Demonstration time....

You can do it two ways, like I said above, or you can fit the hose to make sure it's routed correctly, then pull it off the barbs and add the heat shrink and clamp.

1. slide the heat shrink on with a bit hanging over.

2. Shrink it in place.

3. Add the clamp, slide it on the barb, tighten the clamp and Bob's yer uncle.

 

[bosco659]

Yes that’s the stuff Jim. I was surprised to read the controversy over clamping it. I like the heat shrink. Looks nice and addresses the unraveling.

 

[Jim]

Use red heat shrink. Go on.... you know you want to...

 

[bosco659]

Use red heat shrink. Go on.... you know you want to...

Can do but I’m the only one who will see it. I only buy double wall heat shrink tube with sealant. I’ll have to see what local supply had available.

 

[Jim]

I only buy double wall heat shrink tube with sealant.

That will do just fine.

 

[AUTOMAN]

Actually that's the bestest type. 2x and glue.

 

[Guy]

I don't use the worm clamps. The smooth clamps made for EFI fuel hose or spring clamps are good. I do like your heat shrink idea.

 

[Jim]

I don't use the worm clamps. The smooth clamps made for EFI fuel hose or spring clamps are good. I do like your heat shrink idea.

That was for demonstration purposes only. Not a fan of worm clamps either. I call 'em a clamp of last resort.

 

[cra-z1]

Ya im a big fan of these spring clamps which can be found at ACE hardware
https://www.partzilla.com/product/a...MI8-C4jbKYkwMVYw6tBh1afQ17EAQYAiABEgLaCvD_BwE

 

[bosco659]

Ya im a big fan of these spring clamps which can be found at ACE hardware
https://www.partzilla.com/product/a...MI8-C4jbKYkwMVYw6tBh1afQ17EAQYAiABEgLaCvD_BwE

Yes I like those clamps too. I find they don’t fit so well on really small diameter hoses though.

I was watching a couple of YouTube vids on beetle motor removal and noticed that from factory, the braided hoses were installed without clamps. Do they know something we don’t know?

 

[AUTOMAN]

Yes I like those clamps too. I find they don’t fit so well on really small diameter hoses though.

I was watching a couple of YouTube vids on beetle motor removal and noticed that from factory, the braided hoses were installed without clamps. Do they know something we don’t know?

Parker Push-Lok

 

[cra-z1]

Yes Parker Push-Lok (great product)Needs no clamps however you do need to use their barb fittings to be totally secure at the pressures rated for the hose. Std barb fittings should work at lower to no pressure. I sold Parker fittings for 22 years.