Can I use radiator hose for a gas tank fill tube on my car? Will the gas eat the rubber?

Question

my celica's gas tank fill tube has a leak. I need to replace it, but no one has the parts so I'm going to have to improvise

Answer 1

Not for long, but it is a good short term temporary fix.

You'll get pieces of the hose in your gas tank before long, and it won't provide the pressure needed to keep the fumes sealed, so you'll lose pure gas and add impurities in your fuel.

Remember the days when you would take your cap off, and it would hiss? You need to get that back.

Answer 2

This an old question but there is a safety issue here.
Don't under any circumstances be tempted to use ordinary rubber even short term as a fuel filler hose. as it will create static electricity and most likely subsequent explosion. It's suicidal. Fortunately (or is it unfortunately for some) fuel filler hoses are one of those items that usually last a very, very long time (often outlasting the car) and as they are not often replaced the need for the correct type of hose isn't something that comes up often. Therefore it is a common mistake to think any old rubber hose can be used. Gates, Dayco etc sell special fuel filler hose by model as well as harder to get cut to length filler hose.

Re: 1975 E150 5.8L - What size flex hose on the fliller neck??

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Quote:
Would be easiest to take it off and match it up.

Do you mean take a match to it :-) Don't under any circumstances be tempted to use ordinary rubber as it will create static electricity and most likely subsequent explosion. It's suicidal. Fortunately (or is it unfortunately for some) fuel filler hoses are one of those items that usually last a very, very long time (often outlasting the car) and as they are not often replaced the need for the correct type of hose isn't something that comes up often. Therefore it is a common mistake to think any old rubber hose can be used. Gates, Dayco etc sell special fuel filler hose by model as well as harder to get cut to length filler hose.

It's the same reason you don't fill up plastic containers not designed for fuel with fuel and if for some silly reason you do you never ever shake them. Also the explosion usually happens when the static gets a chance to earth and that's usually when you take off the fuel cap or you poke an earthed filler hose in so you get real close up look and feel of the outcome.

Answer 3

Do not use a radiator hose for the gas. check either with a salvage yard in your area, or look for one online. There has to be a bunch of Celica's around to get parts from. good luck.

Answer 4

This is a special made pipe that can only be replaced with that specific kind. Gasoline will eat the rubber of the radiator hose quite quickly.

Answer 5

Most Radiator hoses are chosen for resistance to the Ehtylene Glycol (antifreeze) and temperature.

The most common material used is EPDM (EPR) with high end racing engines using Silicone.

NEITHER material is compatible with gasoline.

How long either might hold up before failing is hard to say.

Answer 6

Order the part from your dealer and buy a used one from a junkyard to install until the new part comes in. Oh to complete answer your question, yes gasoline does breakdown normal rubber.

Answer 7

My Jeep's fill neck is rubber and it feels like it's the same as the rad hose, so I'd say you're fine doing that, but I'd make sure there's no water or residue on it before installation.

Answer 8

try and see..

But I think it may get hard and brittle after a while.

Answer 9

it sounds ok to me