Some years ago I bought a 10’ spool of braided -6AN line from either Jegs or Summit Racing. I can’t remember if that brand was recommended by Sonex or if I just went cheap because of the sticker shock of Aeroquip hose. I used it for my short fuel line, for my oil lines to the remote oil filter (now removed), and also when I redid the fuel system in my son Matthew’s $200 Buick Century. A few months ago the Buick was smelling like gas. I opened up the hood while it was running and it was like Niagra falls - shooting out between the braids of that flex section of line that went from the solid line to the fuel manifold. This was after about 7 years and 60k miles of use. I had a little bit of that same line left over and I patched the Buick up. I also put in my annual checklist to replace the fuel line in the Waiex.
Now I know the Buick and the Waiex are different, although they have both been to Oshkosh. The Waiex runs 100LL and has a low head pressure, while the Buick runs pump gas with alcohol and whatever else they put in gas these days. It’s fuel injected, because it’s a modern 2000 model. So the pressures are higher. Seeing that fuel shoot out kind of spooked me. That would have been a really bad day in the airplane.
Another project I’ve got coming up is to replace my current air-oil separator with the one that Sonex sells. My return oil used to dump into the valve cover. I need a lower point and per the Sonex instructions the return oil goes into the extended sump. But if the line fails, that’s also a bad day as all the oil will drain out. So I decided to splurge and buy a bunch (like 4’) of new Aeroquip 601 hose. I was able to reuse my old fittings, and they were Jegs or Summit. The old hose was pretty stiff. The new Aeroquip hose is pretty flexible. I also found the Aeroquip hose was a lot easier to work with. I cut both hoses with a 4” cut off wheel. The old hose would really get a lot of frayed braid at the end, and the Aeroquip was a lot better.
So I’m just sharing my observations. Obviously I’ve chosen to buy the real fuel line and damn the cost. But also consider replacing your fuel line if it’s been a while, or at least seeing if it is getting stiff.
Glad there were no fires involved. Pump gas is a real unknown. I cringe every time I hear one of those commercials bragging about some special cleaning additive. I wonder if Aeroquip is any safer from those exotic additives?
*"Braided AN3 (also referred to as -3AN or 3an) lines are high-performance, flexible hoses typically used for brake, clutch, and pressure gauge systems in automotive and motorcycle applications. They are designed to prevent expansion, ensuring firm, responsive braking. "
Not sure that the above is suitable for petrol or hot oil reticulation, especially in an aircraft
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An inner tube of seamless, specially formulated synthetic
rubber reinforced with a stainless steel partial inner braid and
full-coverage stainless steel outer braid. Operating temperature -65 to
300F. Aeroquip 601 hose is widely used for aircraft fuel and oil lines
where flexibility and light weight are prime considerations. Because of
its lighter weight and lower operating pressure than type 303 hose, it
is not recommended for hydraulic lines. Use with Aeroquip 816 hose
fittings. Aeroquip 601/AE701 is a direct replacement for old 601 hose.
AE701 hose has no shelf life and is the upgraded version of 601 hose.
Construction: Synthetic rubber inner tube with two layers of stainless
steel wire braid reinforcement. Basic Specification: MIL-H-83797, TSO
C53a, Type A.
Application: Fuel, engine oil, and coolants.
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Hopefully this clears up your confusion. However, to be fair, I typoed AN3 and it a -6 line. I’ll edit my other post.
I just looked up AN3 & posted what came up - not fuel or oil line.
As you know my only aircraft engine experince is Rotax 912ULS, although I have been working on all sorts of ground based engines for about 60 years now.
I am wondering why you need such high (expensive & heavy) specification, fuel/oil line as “braided AN6” ???
Rotax 912 & most ground based carburettor engines, are quite happy with something like Gates Barricade (comes in FI & Carb) for fuel (Ethanol compatible).
The oil lines for the 912 can be Gates Hydraulic GTH (Meets or exceeds requirements of SAE 100R6).
Seems Teflon is much more impervious to ethanol or other mystery additives. I’m not really sold on the stainless steel—in many cases it probably just hides the condition of the brittle crappy rubber (that car OEMs wouldn’t ever use) underneath. I thought it might keep some radiant heat out and prevent abrasion.
Given the gross over specification (for Sonex like aircraft) of SS braided -6AN line, I can only speculate that its an aesthetic, rather than practical decision.
