Fuel line leak, DIY replacement options, don't want to burn up my Olds Silhouette van

chefadam

Disclaimer: my experience with auto repair is not extensive and my car repair vocabulary is limited and growing. Bear with me.

I recently discovered a fuel line leak under my Olds. The repair appeared to be pretty straight forward but after cutting hard line and patching in soft line the leak still persisted. The location of the fuel drips is coming from what I've referred to as "The Triangle of death". I'm sure it has a proper name but it's where the hard lines enter a cutout in the frame of the vehicle and emerge below the engine, in the back of the driver side wheel well. From all appearances it's inaccessible for a patch repair.

My theoretical repair attempt would be to cut all 3 hard lines where the emerge in the wheel well and patch in soft line and run it through body (Triangle) and then attach it at a junction point prior or after the fuel filter. I'm thinking of cutting out all of the specialty quick connects and doubling up on hose clamps at each patch. I'm not sure if the plastic sleeve in the triangle will come out or how and if it's attached to the body of the car. Many riddles to be addressed.

Is this patch a viable solution?
What patch material is ideal for this repair?
Where is the most logical place to cut the lines in the wheel well and under the vehicle?

I've attached pictures of the situation which shows my current repair attempt along with notation. Fuel is beading up on the lower middle fuel line (repaired one) emerging from the triangle.

I realize that fuel line repairs aren't something to do half-[non-permissible content removed]. I really don't want my car to burn up because of my incompetence.

Thanks

Any guidance and suggestions will be much appreciated.

imidazol97

@chefadam said:
Disclaimer: my experience with auto repair is not extensive and my car repair vocabulary is limited and growing. Bear with me.

My theoretical repair attempt would be to cut all 3 hard lines where the emerge in the wheel well and patch in soft line and run it through body (Triangle) and then attach it at a junction point prior or after the fuel filter. I'm thinking of cutting out all of the specialty quick connects and doubling up on hose clamps at each patch. I'm not sure if the plastic sleeve in the triangle will come out or how and if it's attached to the body of the car. Many riddles to be addressed.

What year? And what model?
But I'm guessing that two of those lines are pressurized--the one from the fuel filter to the engine. The other two are a return fuel line under less pressure and a vapor line.

I also suggest that the leak is the body of the line having corroded. I had one on my 98 that corroded near the fuel tank because the outer layer was affected by the salt. In this area they had been using the brine solution along with salt.

I would spend some time asking at the repair stores, old line stores may be the place with people with the best knowledge rather than the box stores where they've employed anyone who would stay, although a few here have some desk people who've been around for decades. Dorman makes some repair parts for these. I believe they are mostly rubber. People talk about using double clamps on the ends to prevent seepage. Ask them what's available.

If you list your year model, we might be able to find if those lines through the body are available as a unit or singly.

Making a guess at the year of Silhouette, I found this sketch of the parts. Pipe #2 is about 60$, #26 is about 160$, and the fuel return #35 is about 35$.
The sketch makes me feel they are removable from the engine side and replaceable one by one. Maybe the engine is in the way now or strut and A-arm are in the way.

Good luck.