Fuel line question.

[sector9russell]

Hi 

I am using an aluminium sheet to cover the area between the cabin and the boot where the fuel cell is placed. There is a opening for the lines which is protected by rubber and the hoses are bolted down every 300 mm.  Pic below of set up. Is this sufficient to satisfy the cert rules. 







thanks for your help. 

[Leon]

The fuel system needs to be in a separate air space from the vehicle occupants, so you'd need that boot completely sealed off from the cabin. I can't tell from the photos if you've achieved that, but that's what we need

Basically we don't want you getting fumed out if there's any sort of fuel system failure.

So, sealed off from the cabin.

Drain to the outside of the boot (and not onto the exhaust system .... you'd be amazed ...) so that if there's a fuel leak, the fuel drains to the outside of the vehicle.

[itseme]

Since we are on the topic of fuel fillers and pipe routing etc.   I have deleted the stock fuel cap position on the right rear quarter panel (83 VH commodore sedan)
and re-routed it through the boot in behind a hinged rego plate.  The breather line and overflow are routed through the boot floor and connect to the tank underneth in the original factory location.

If the boot is completely sealed off from the main cabin and the battery (also in the boot) is sealed inside a plastic battery box) would this be satisfactory? 

Also what if I decide to put an audio system in the back?  I guess this would not be a smart move huh?



Your advice appreciated

[Leon]

Good morning,

Yes, if you put the battery in the boot, having it in a sealed container is a wise plan. Maybe have a look at MotorSport NZ's words on battery affixing, as that's a pretty good set of guidelines for ensuring you've got a good dose of overkill (in the good way) going on. Note that the typical black plastic marine style battery box with the fabric tie downs running through the lid is about as sealed as a sieve.

www.motorsport.org.nz/sites/default/files/motorsport/manual/Live%2035%20App%202.01%20Sch%20A_0.pdf

From looking at what you've got, and assuming I'm understanding you correctly, you don't actually have any "fuel system" in the boot, you're just running the fuel filler hose through there? So there isn't a surge tank / pumps in the boot. If so, then this appears to be a fairly low risk modification (assuming you're using all the right pipes and clamps that is, and you have something there to protect those hoses from anything sliding around in the boot).

There isn't anything stopping your putting stereo gear in there, but of course bear in mind that if you're going to be putting speakers through the rear parcel tray, make sure that you don't enlarge any holes near your rear seat belt anchorages, and of course speakers through the parcel tray means that the cabin is no longer sealed off from the boot. Common sense also suggests, don't have anything electrical low down where fluids might pool if anything leaked.

[itseme]

Thanks Leon. Correct theres no fuel system in the boot. The filler pipe just runs through it along with the breather & overflow tubes. There is a surge tank but it is outside the vehicle in behind the right rear wheel in the space where the original factory fuel filler route used to be.

So is my theory correct in - Given my fuel system is still outside the vehicle. Is it necessary to seal off the boot from the main cabin?

[Leon]

Sorry, I thought I'd replied here ... but apparently I haven't.

If your fuel tank and fuel pump are not in the boot, then you don't need to isolate your battery, or isolate the boot from the cabin.

Had either of those (tank or pump) been in the boot, rather than just your filler line, then you would have needed to isolate it, and also isolate the fuel from the cabin.

Isolating the battery with your current set up isn't mandatory, but is a good idea, just in case of something floating around in the boot and you end up with a welder back there.