Fuel line fittings; what did I do?

[Alan]

Hello to all;
Had problems on the lake; and I don’t think all the cracks in the fuel line fitting O-rings were helping any.
Both fuel lines were new, last year, and are alleged to be ethanol compliant. Yes, I do see a plastic liner inside the hose.
Yes, I did buy these from a local chain store / stuff mart. Does Atwood make low quality parts? Let me know.

Or, was I supposed to drain the fuel out, and store them in some complicated manner? Again, I’m open to suggestions on what I did wrong and what I should do differently. They sat in my garage, coiled up neatly, not hooked to the tanks.

I should mention I live in CA, and an internet search yields a total of two sources of ethanol-free gas, both several hundreds of miles away.

Many thanks and happy motoring to all;
Alan

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[frankr]

I suppose it is convenient to blame it on ethanol, whether true or not . But did somebody mention "quality"? I say shame on anybody that uses non-ethanol compliant materials when that is what they have to run on these days.

[outbdnut2]

In the last year or so there was a message string here about some of the aftermarket gaslines that have had the inner liner collapse restricting gas flow. Ethanol may or may not have contributed. I seem to remember Attwood and Sierra Marine lines mentioned, along with photos of the gas line cut open to show the problem. Someone here may know how to get to those posts, or they may repost the info here.
Dave

[david-bartlett]

Alan,

Does this look familiar? I make my own now with better hose. May not be USCG approved but I can live with that.

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[Alan]

Yeah, what about quality?!

David; yours does look just like mine. What’s with the orange crud? I suppose that plastic liner might collapse, since the motor’s pump tries to pull the fuel up.
So, I just buy fuel line at an auto parts store, and then the fuel fittings and primer bulb?
Anything else to it?

Thanks;
Alan

[david-bartlett]

quote Calan:

Yeah, what about quality?!

David; yours does look just like mine. What’s with the orange crud? I suppose that plastic liner might collapse, since the motor’s pump tries to pull the fuel up.
So, I just buy fuel line at an auto parts store, and then the fuel fittings and primer bulb?
Anything else to it?

Thanks;
Alan

The liner in this hose separated from the outer hose and collapsed, blocking the fuel flow. It also will break down over time and fill the fuel system with junk. Your primer bulb is likely serviceable. I buy my hose at Napa, and would order my fuel fittings from the appropriate dealer.

[PugetSoundBoater]

Here is what the Pure Gas website results show for Ethanol Free fuel in California

"Some people want to know how a watch works, others just want to know what time it is"
Robbie Robertson

[jerry-ahrens]

I’ve replaced a truck load of those aftermarket fuel lines at my shop, over the past several years. I see it all the time… folks will go to Wal Mart, a Sierra dealer, etc. and buy a new replacement fuel line with primer bulb and quick connect fittings. After running with these for a while, their motor develops a running problem. When I cut the fuel line open with a razor blade, I find the inner barrier has came loose an d clogged it’s self shut. I’ve also found that the aftermarket quick connectors either leak fuel, or develop an air leak allowing air into the fuel stream while the engine is running. This will cause all sorts of driveability problems.The only solution I’ve found, is to only use OEM hose and connectors… Personally, I have not found anything in the aftermarket world that works here.
if you happen to still be running a Quicksilver fuel line (silver or gray in color with RED PRINTING on the hose) they are notorious for the inner barrier lining coming loose. I think age is the main culprit on these, although ethanol fuel doesn’t help here either. Mercury changed their hose some years back to a now stiffer hose with BLUE printing on it. Bottom line is, RED print hose should be replaced with the new BLUE printed hose to avoid problems. I like to heat up a cup of hot water in the microwave, then insert the hose end to soften it a bit before sliding it on to the connector end. This helps to not damage the inner barrier lining, inside the hose. Unfortunately, the barrier lined hoses are here to stay, due to EPA requirements.

[outbdnut2]

quote Calan:

So, I just buy fuel line at an auto parts store, and then the fuel fittings and primer bulb?
Anything else to it?

Thanks;
Alan

I have one fuel line that came with a motor where someone had done just what you are asking about – they bought six feet of rubber automotive gas line and put on connectors and a primer bulb. It works very well,but seems a bit flimsy when flexed and gets soft in the hot sun and can kink fairly easy. It probably doesn’t meet all the newer gov’t standards for boats, but it’s working well. These gov’t standards, I believe, are aimed at durability, preventing leaks that lead to boat fires.

For the duel lines used with pressure tanks, I have had no problems with Sierra duel gas line I bought about 10 years ago. It does not have the inner liner. Maybe legislation has added an inner liner to this duel hose too by now?
Dave

[Alan]

Info appreciated!
Any suggestions about which gas lines would be most effective? I wondered if auto lines would be adequate.
Lines for fuel injected cars are stiffer,(and more expensive, of course). I am open to ideas. So, are all marine lines required have to have plastic liners?? I want to be safe(ish) but those liners look like trouble.
I was impressed by the list of stations that carry regular gas in CA. The closest one is still several hours away, though.
Many thanks;
Alan

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