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Got called out for my hose routing on a Detroit 60 series rebuild
Old timer at the shop watched me for about ten minutes, then just said 'You're asking for a chafe failure in six months with that mess.' He was talking about how I had the fuel lines and coolant hoses all bundled together with zip ties, running right past a sharp bracket edge. I argued it was neat, but he showed me a service bulletin I'd missed about that exact spot causing leaks. Changed my whole approach... now I leave a full inch of space between hose types, use those split loom sleeves on anything near metal, and route everything with a clear bend radius. It adds maybe 20 minutes to a job but saves a comeback. Anyone else have a specific spot on an engine that always seems to eat hoses?
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grantr7726d ago
Man, that old timer did you a solid. I had the same wake-up call on a Cummins ISX, where the power steering lines run behind the accessory drive. Bundled them tight for a clean look, and a year later I got the call about a leak. Now I use those little rubber-lined P-clips to hold lines separate, and I always check for any hidden edges that move with engine torque. That extra space and padding is cheap insurance.
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That old timer probably saved you from a real mess. The idea of fuel and coolant lines chafing together on a sharp bracket is a nightmare. Seen a few 6.0 Powerstroke oil cooler lines get chewed up in a similar way near the turbo pedestal. Just a bad spot that collects vibration and heat.
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