Why Oil and Fuel Hose Specification Matters

Use the wrong hose with fuel or oil, and the consequences tend to be expensive or dangerous. Hydrocarbons degrade rubber compounds that aren't formulated for them. The bore swells, the wall softens, and you get either a failure or contamination of the fluid being transferred. This is one category where the cheapest option is usually the most expensive in the long run.

For diesel and petrol applications, look for a hose with a nitrile inner bore. Nitrile has good resistance to petroleum products and is the standard choice for fuel lines, tank connections, and transfer applications. For hydraulic systems, the pressure rating and the hose construction type matter as much as the material; a hydraulic hose running at 250 bar needs to be built for it. Learn more in our guide: Everything You Need to Know About Hydraulic Hoses.

Temperature also comes into it. Engine bay applications and anything near heat sources need a hose that won't soften or crack under elevated temperatures. Check the maximum working temperature on the product data before you order.

We stock oil and fuel hose in standard lengths and by the metre, with a range of end fittings available separately. Assemblies can also be supplied with ends fitted.

Orders over £200 to England and Wales qualify for free delivery, with same-day dispatch on most in-stock lines.

Fuel compatibility: which hose for which fuel?

Nitrile rubber (NBR) is the standard inner bore material for fuel hose in the UK and handles petrol (E5 and E10), diesel (B7), red diesel, hydraulic oil, kerosene, and most petroleum-based fuels well.

E10 petrol, the UK's standard unleaded grade since September 2021, contains up to 10% ethanol. Most nitrile hose manufactured since the early 2000s is compatible with E10, but older hose on classic vehicles, motorcycles, or stored agricultural equipment may swell or degrade. If you are replacing fuel hose on a vehicle that previously ran on E5, look for a hose explicitly rated for E10 or higher ethanol content.

Higher ethanol blends (E85 and above, used in motorsport and flex-fuel applications) and high-proportion biodiesel (B20 and above) require fluorocarbon (FKM/Viton) or PTFE-lined hose. Standard nitrile is not recommended for these fuels over extended use.

For a full fuel compatibility reference table covering E5, E10, E85, B7, B20, red diesel, hydraulic oil, and kerosene across nitrile, FKM, and PTFE, see our fuel hose guide.