Damaged Boost Line/Repair Question

[RadarRider]

Put in my A-pillar gauges today, & as I was pulling the boost line through, it kinked & twisted. I have no idea how it didn't break, but now I'm jerked! If I cut the line & install a brass air fitting, will it compromise boost readings? It's been sticking in the back of my mind that an air fitting would add resistance to the airflow, making inaccurate readings. What does the PowerStroke brotherhood say?

[vitalidle]

Can you take some pliers and straighten out the kink?

[bigcountrysg]

If you can cut it and still have enough to reach the gauge it will be fine. I prefer a sharp knife to cut the tube. If you try using wire cutters or something else your only going to pinch the line a again. Using a sharp utlitly knife will get you a nice clean and useable cut. It will not compromise the boost readings.

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by vitalidle

Can you take some pliers and straighten out the kink?

I tried the best I could with a pair of needle nose pliers. I blew as much as I could into the tube & there doesn't appear to be leaking. But the line looks damaged.

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by bigcountrysg

If you can cut it and still have enough to reach the gauge it will be fine. I prefer a sharp knife to cut the tube. If you try using wire cutters or something else your only going to pinch the line a again. Using a sharp utlitly knife will get you a nice clean and useable cut. It will not compromise the boost readings.

Unfortuneately: it's in an area too "between" the gauge & the port. I wouldn't have enough slack no matter what to cut it and try to reach either location.

[bigcountrysg]

You could cut it and put a fitting in there and use teflon tape to seal it up real good. Even if you try and repair the kink most likely the gauge will not work properly.

As I said you could cut the line and put a brass fitting in there or you could replace the line. Most autopart stores sell the tubing you need. It usually comes in 6 ft sections with the fittings. I just replaced my boost gauge line cost me 6 bucks for the new hose at the part store.

[cotton]

Why wouldn't one of the rubber connectors for vacuum lines not work? Just splice the line and place the connector in.

[DryHeatDude03]

Just cut out the kink and install a 1/8" brass compression coupling, you will not have any issues with the gauge misreading from a comp. coupling.

[RadarRider]

I appreciate the input, guys! In the mean time, I cut the kink out with a razor blade & inserted a piece of vacuum line. It's a temporary fix until I can get to work Monday and raid the parts department. The parts manager @ my work has anything & everything one could want, including brass air line fittings!

[Blue01F250]

and if that doesn't work -- just lemme know -- I got a whole role that came with my autometer guages that I didn't use (used ITP's boost line instead)