When I reassembled my engine just before Volksworld 2015 I used some GSF unbranded inlet manifold boots as their shop is near my work place. I have just removed the 15 month old manifold boots as they had severe surface cracking, maybe even some pinholes especially on the left hand side near the coil (ozone damage ? ) , and replaced them with Meyle brand boots bought from VWH which have been sitting in my spares box for the same 15 months, as I ordered some when I next bought stuff from VWH. Not being near an engine they are still good. I notice that the fuel filler neck rubber I fitted a while back is also starting to surface crack on the outside. I shall skin it with some silicone when I put it back in.
Why anyone bothers with GSF after all of the bad press on here is beyond me! We put four brand new GSF drive shaft boots on Gusbus for his first mot after the restoration (March 2015) come late September 2015, they had cracked and split beyond use. As with others we bought from GSF due to convenience at the time.
Half of the problem is the composition of the rubber not being modified in line with the additives being used - they may be resistant to additives say ten years ago but not now. The exact point in case was the in flight failure of RAF Nimrod XV230. That suffered a catastrophic failure due to fuel igniting from leaking pipe joints, the fuel leaking down onto a heat source and igniting. The accident report, among other issues found that the original supplier of fuel hoses changed the composition but it wasn't resistant to Aviation fuel, additives caused perishing and hose failure.
its not GSF it all the suppliers as they just sell the same stuff my jk supplied tie rod boots lasted less than 6 months and my heritage supplied r9 fuel hose only a year
The composition, the insides seem fine to me, protected from the atmosphere as they are. Same problem as rubber boots I'd say, nowt to do with fuel.
I been working on the miss car today and noticed that the drop link rubber bushes that I change for the last mot are already rotten and will need changing for next mot in 6 monthes so they have only been on there 6 monthes
Well I checked my fuel lines the other day. They've been on less than a year and are cracked. the previous ones were on less than a year and were cracked so I complained and got given these as replacements. Same Marmite then. As @zedders says though the inside of the pipe looks OK, I sliced itg open. Changed them all anyway and had a full petrol shower Gsf CV boots, been on 6 months, cracked. Meyle track rod boots from heritage, been on 6 months, looking good so far.
http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/ethanol-proof-fuel-hose-by-gates-40970.html Only sizes I could find ....
Talking about rubber....I am having trouble finding replacement 'inlet manifold rubber elbows' for my 1973 Westy 2000cc engine. The old ones are badly split and I have the same problem of the engine cutting out at junctions etc because of air getting in. JK only stock them for the 77-79 bays and say they don't know what people do for replacements - can anyone help?
Sorry I don't know off hand. I can go through all the paperwork from the guy who did the restoration before I acquired her and get back to you though......
