The fuel lines on the Max are rusted. It will take around a week for the dealer to get the replacements. Talked to a few mechanics and was told that the lines can be replaced with hoses. I thought that the pressure would not be the same with hoses. Would replacing the lines with hoses work properly? Also, how much in labor should I be looking to spend to get them replaced.

 

I assumed you're talking about the long lines that run from engine to tank? If so, then in theory you may do that. But reality is that line will have to run underneath the engine. All it takes is for you to drive over a rock or bush to rip those rubber lines apart. And it doesn't take much efforts to do so either.

 

now regarding cost, they'll charge you around $200-300 for labor. As far as I know most mechs are lazy and they will try to discourage you from doing it since they're dealing with suspension. I recommend you change the brake lines too cuz all 5 of them, i.e. 3 fuel & 2 brakes are running in parallel, separated by 1/8" distance. Since yours are rusty, you remove one line the other will get damaged. You might as well do them all while your at it. That said, add another $200 to $300 for the brake line labor. And again, like I'd said it before, mechs are lazy and they will either try to discourage you from doing it by charging you excessively. The price I gave you is what I think is fair and who knows whether they're willing to do it or not. I was mad at them so I went ahead and did mine recently. Can't trust those wrench monkeys with my max.

 

Thanks alot. The brake lines were changed already. Should have done the fuel lines at the same time but did not know better.

 

I have a 94 maxima and my fuel lines are really rusted too, and eventually started to leak. actually the rust on the fuel lines are on the back half of the car but i guess i am gonna have to replace all three metal lines from the engine to the tank. i took a close look and seems like i have to disconnect the rubber hose from the line at the tank and at the intake. seems like really straight forward and easy or am i overlooking something here.

 

I replaced mine when i had the whole underside of the car taken apart, the rusted fuel lines were actually the main reason i wound up stripping the entire underbody, but not the only reason. Not to scare you and say you must strip down the entire car to get to it, but the lines run under the driver side front lower control arm gusset/mount. Being that theyre solid metal lines and not easily bendable you would have to remove or at least lower that gusset mount to snake the lines through there.

I would say wait to do the fuel lines until you have to replace the front control arm bushings when you will have the control arms off anyway

An idea I toyed with was using stainless steel braided fuel line to splice in to replace the rusted out section. Drawback to that is introducing another junction point where it could possibly leak

 

thanks for the info. really appreciate your input.
i took a close look by taking off the two driver's side wheels and it kinda looks like its doable. i replaced the brake lines recently, but then, it was 3 pieces for each line so bending them was not that much of a deal although i didnt route the lines in their original position. was planning to do the fuel lines the same way.the pressure being a lot less in a fuel line, wouldnt the risk of a leak be a lot less here than that of the brake lines? just my opinion.