MTBE in gas, fuel line deterioration

[Clarence L.Snyder]

Chris Conlon wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> A wise-sounding fellow on another list was saying that MTBE in certain
> pump gasolines can cause over-rapid deterioration of rubber fuel lines
> in some older cars. (And that the MTBE was used to meet some relatively
> new emissions-related legal requirements, say within the past few years.
> Also I think this applied to California, and perhaps some other states,
> but not necessarily to all states.)  He further claimed a ~30% increase
> in engine bay fires in the time period covered.
> 
> So what I'm wondering is, should I worry that today's pump gas might
> eat up rubber fuel lines extra quick? Would this only apply to "older"
> cars, and if so, how old would "older" be? 10 years, 20 years?
> 
> Anyway it seemed like if this was a genuine issue, it'd be a pretty
> serious thing, and worth some preemptive part replacement.
> 
>    Thanks,
>    Chris C.
There was a recall on some Nissan products for replacement of injector
coupling hoses for this reason - believe it affected Maxima sixes. On
the affected model there were a fair number of fires.