1986 Cougar fuel line leak

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1986 Cougar fuel line leak

August 22, 2016, 12:09:39 AM

I bought my 1986 Cougar (3.8L single port fuel injected) as a new car in 1986. A few days ago the 30 year old fuel line, under the front passenger seat area of the car, sprung a leak. This is probably due the age of the line (I think the line is made of nylon or some kind of plastic) and the destructive ethanol we are forced to have in our gasoline. Anyway, I have called all over the place trying to locate a replacement fuel line but no one has one. Can a replacement section be spliced into repair this? (that seems potentially dangerous(?)because the fuel in the line is under probably 40psi) or where can I find a replacement fuel line…so I can replace the entire line from the tank up to the engine.

Any advice would be appreciated. If I can't fix this I am afraid the car will end up in a salvage yard. Thanks in advance!

1986 Cougar fuel line leak

Reply #1 – August 22, 2016, 09:40:53 AM

Go get some nylon 5/16 fuel line and a couple Dorman fuel line unions at your parts store. Use a razor blade to make a clean straight cut to remove as much of the old as you need then push on the union fittings with the new hose in between. Easy fix.
http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-50971-800-191.aspx?origin=keyword

1986 Cougar fuel line leak

Reply #2 – August 23, 2016, 03:00:21 AM

Yup, the mechanic at my work used these a ton on old Ranger rangerovers. He would buy them salvaged or wrecked and the nylon fuel lines looked the same as ours. You have to make sure they are completely straight cut.

1986 Cougar fuel line leak

Reply #3 – August 25, 2016, 02:55:29 AM

Thank you Brian & Haystack. I will give it a try. I've owned that Cougar for too long to give up on it now!

Dave