Question on steel break line and fuel lines..

[fresh_TD]

Are the steel break line and fuel feed/return lines the same type of pipe? I know they're different in size...need to replace mine they're rusted out...advance auto carries the lines, I would just need to bend them to fit the car...Thanks in advance.. also has anyone used the pipes from advance or any other local auto part store?

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[vpilarrt]

I used brake lines from AutoZone on my track car when deleting the ABS. No issues.

[fresh_TD]

I used brake lines from AutoZone on my track car when deleting the ABS. No issues.

You used "break line" for "fuel line" they seemed to be the same type of pipe to me.. I just wanted some confirmation from someone else

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[dustyperez]

yes "brake lines" are the same as "fuel lines" fuel lines are usually bigger though

[blunttech]

OE fuel and the long brake lines are cheap and pre bent. Walk into your dealer and order them. I just did my M3 and its not worth the savings to buy generic.
Order these and be done with it assuming youre a late e30 with ABS

16121179681
16121179682
34326755686

[101]

+1 on what Blunt said. I'm doing both the fuel lines and brake lines on my IS and IX currently.

Both types of BMW factory lines are steel.

For the fuel lines - I ordered all three (supply, return, vent) from the dealer. Make sure you add in some high pressure 8mm rubber fuel line and some clamps and brackets too. I didn't want to have to do this job ever again, so I replaced everything from the fuel pump forward on the supply side and everything at the front of the car on the return and vent lines. A fuel driven fire can be an ugly thing on a pretty car.

For the brake lines, you can order the correct length coated steel lines from the dealer, and they come with the fittings already installed. Try to remove the ones from the car as best you can as they make great templates for pre-bending the replacement lines. Also - get yourself a few proper bending tools - you don't want to kink these. I also touched up the paint anyplace it was nicked and replaced the rubber hoses at the same time. Don't forget to think about replacing some of the plastic clips and possibly the brass tee (I saved one, but the other was too far gone).

For the long brake line from the ABS to the rear of the car, I used "cunifer" brake line. It comes in bulk and you have to cut it to the proper length and flare it with the proper fittings, but it bends hella easier than the steel line. I like it a lot and could not imagine trying to put the bends in the long steel line to make that one work.

Good luck - replacing the brake lines are a beast of a job. I did my IS without dropping anything - but I'm planning on dropping the fuel tank (and maybe the rear subframe) on the IX for other reasons. That definitely helps the access.

[fresh_TD]

OE fuel and the long brake lines are cheap and pre bent. Walk into your dealer and order them. I just did my M3 and its not worth the savings to buy generic.
Order these and be done with it assuming youre a late e30 with ABS

16121179681
16121179682
34326755686

I went in to my local dealership...they quoted me $50 for break line and $110 for fuel lines... these are for my '87 325e...that's way to much for lines...who else has them besides stealership?

Sent from my Samsung Note 3

[fresh_TD]

+1 on what Blunt said. I'm doing both the fuel lines and brake lines on my IS and IX currently.

Both types of BMW factory lines are steel.

For the fuel lines - I ordered all three (supply, return, vent) from the dealer. Make sure you add in some high pressure 8mm rubber fuel line and some clamps and brackets too. I didn't want to have to do this job ever again, so I replaced everything from the fuel pump forward on the supply side and everything at the front of the car on the return and vent lines. A fuel driven fire can be an ugly thing on a pretty car.

For the brake lines, you can order the correct length coated steel lines from the dealer, and they come with the fittings already installed. Try to remove the ones from the car as best you can as they make great templates for pre-bending the replacement lines. Also - get yourself a few proper bending tools - you don't want to kink these. I also touched up the paint anyplace it was nicked and replaced the rubber hoses at the same time. Don't forget to think about replacing some of the plastic clips and possibly the brass tee (I saved one, but the other was too far gone).

For the long brake line from the ABS to the rear of the car, I used "cunifer" brake line. It comes in bulk and you have to cut it to the proper length and flare it with the proper fittings, but it bends hella easier than the steel line. I like it a lot and could not imagine trying to put the bends in the long steel line to make that one work.

Good luck - replacing the brake lines are a beast of a job. I did my IS without dropping anything - but I'm planning on dropping the fuel tank (and maybe the rear subframe) on the IX for other reasons. That definitely helps the access.

The only portion that's bad on the fuel lines is from the fuel filter forward(6in section rusted out)and the break line that runs parallel with those fuel lines...these 3 need to be replaced

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[TobyB]

I reran the rear brake line (added a 'proportioning' valve to replace the non- functioning stock one)
and bending the pre- terminated generic steel line isn't that bad. The stock clips are good enough
that you can work the new line into shape pretty easily.

Took about four hours, including bleeding and testing. And my fingers were sore the next day.

t

[101]

[quote]I went in to my local dealership...they quoted me $50 for break line and $110 for fuel lines... these are for my '87 325e...that's way to much for lines...who else has them besides stealership? [quote]

That sounds like full retail price. My on-line BMW guy charges around $88 for the 5 rear brake hard lines and around $80 for the three long fuel metal lines. Not cheap, but you certainly won't ever have to do the job ever again.

[fresh_TD]

I sourced all lines from a parts car('87 325is) for $15...that's a win

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[///M42 sport]

I'm about to replace my vent and fuel lines. Looks like the OE vent hardline is alot more prone to rust. Pictured below you see the most rusted line haha. Is there a upgrade?

[jeffnhiscars]

The "upgrade" is to replace a 27yo steel line with a new one that will out last your ownership of the car

Most BMW dealers have at least 5 price levels starting with list plus plus. Point being it pays to be friends with your parts guy as they have plenty of discretion when it comes to what you pay.

[///M42 sport]

I know for sure in about 5-6years living in the salt belt its gonna rust again. Just an observation comparing my vert which i've driven for about 5-6 winters up north vs my 318 which as been spared the winters....Both cars were originally from tx until God knows why I decided live where my e30's would turn into rust buckets.

I was wondering if anyone has used these?

http://www.fedhillusa.com/

[jeffnhiscars]

Then go with the conifer lines as suggested. They are a corrosion resistant alloy