Fuel Filters, Fuel Hose & Fuel Clips on a Classic Fiat 500

This video looks at fuel lines, fuel clips, and the controversial issue of fuel filters in the engine bay. I'm sure people will have strong counter-opinions on this, but at the end of the day, as the car owner, the only opinion that matters is yours.

[@SteveLoJacono-bn7tm]

Again, wonderful explanation and service suggestions. Well done!

[@Kevvikonto1]

Thank you for this explanation and other videos about the Fiat 500, they have been really helpful! Do you know how was the fuel filter originally positioned when it came out of factory?

[@the500workshop]

When the cars left the factory they would not have had any ‘inline’ filters. There would have been a filter on the end of the fuel pick-up inside the tank and another inside the fuel pump. The reason why people, like myself, use inline filters is that the fuel tank can and will contain rubbish (rust, etc) over time. This can interfere with the fuel flow or block the jets in the carb. Even with the original filters in place and having reconditioned my tanks, over time I was finding the odd fleck of something in my carb. In my experience the modern filters have finer filtration than the originals. I have put one in after the tank, and as you can see, one in after the pump. I have been running this set up for 8 years with no issues - but as pointed out by other comments, it is highly debated about having one after the pump and in the engine bay.

[@signform4622]

I see you have 12 - 14mm i agree on the clips and the pipe. I have seen the Jubilee clips cut through the pipe and also the screws spin on themselves when tightening. This is a must.

[@targa009]

Interesting. I have a '67 and 72. The 72's fuel filter is near the tank (no issues) and the '67 was in the front but when cold, the fuel was leaking from the top of the filter until it was warmed up. The clamp was the correct fuel type according to you but the hose was a solid bright green in color, plastic feel and now I am realizing it's probably of bad quality of type. Thank you. I am not a mechanic and this is was EXCEPTIONALLY helpful. Can you recommend a proper fuel hose type and size for the setup in this video?

[@the500workshop]

Hey 👋 - this is the best fuel hose is this www.advancedfluidsolutions.co.uk/55mm-id-732-100-bio-fuel-hose-diesel--petrol-22400400-2015-p.asp It’s expensive, but it’s the best and right hose to use. 5.5mm inside diameter is the one to go for 👍

[@federox86]

essentially it indicates how much gasoline can evaporate under normal pressure and temperature conditions (100 kPa and 100 °F = 37.8 °C). At 1 bar pressure, i.e. atmospheric pressure, after the gasoline pump, therefore at higher pressure the evaporation point will increase slightly. So no, it is not safe to mount a plastic filter after the pump in an environment above 40 degrees on average. This is not about considerations, this is about logic and rules. Look at any machine or system, any filter goes before the pump, always. Here, in addition to the rule, a bit of common sense, near the engine it is better to have fewer possible leaks. Then, as I tell everyone, your car, your problems. To do it properly, you should do it like this: tank, valve, filter, valve, pump, carburetor. In every industrial system on earth this rule is used. Greetings.

[@the500workshop]

This is a great reply and one that deals in facts rather than opinion! So are you saying that you can expect some fuel evaporation due to the temperature increase? I concur that having 2 extra connections does increase some risk and maybe not considered best practice.

[@federox86]

@@the500workshopin my personal experience, I bought the 500 with the same filter as yours in the same position, after the laps I put the car in a closed garage, there has always been a smell of petrol. I put the filter after the tank, eliminating it from the engine area and the smell of petrol disappeared, obviously it could have been a pipe not placed well or something else, but that's it. Of the two options I would always opt for the upstream filter, clean line, clean pump (and that's what the petrol filter is for) clean carburetor. regards

[@the500workshop]

@@federox86 interesting thanks. I will take this into consideration. Really appreciate your input!