CLEAR FUEL LINE

[JBIII]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Is there such a thing as GOOD CLEAR[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] fuel line. I installed all clear vinyl fuel and vacuum line on my 84 35hp Evinrude, and in 1 year it got hard and no longer flexible and you could not see through it. I use Startron and or Sea Foam to keep the system clean and treat the alcohol.

I think I need 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, and 3/8"

Thanks[/FONT]

 

[F_R]

Such is the case with the clear nylon stuff. There is some yellow stuff that isn't too bad, but I still don't like it.

 

[dingbat]

Tygon LP1100 tubing is rated for use with fuels.

Personally, I still wouldn't use it.

 

[Crosbyman]

aside from seeing the gas flow and a warm feeling what is the advantage over the regular black stuff

 

[F_R]

Seeing gas flow is not always a good thing. Many people have gotten angst over seeing bubbles in there. It would be unusual NOT to have bubbles.

 

[JBIII]

QUOTE=Crosbyman;n10481454] aside from seeing the gas flow and a warm feeling what is the advantage over the regular black stuff
[/QUOTE]

QUOTE=F_R;n10481512]Seeing gas flow is not always a good thing. Many people have gotten angst over seeing bubbles in there. It would be unusual NOT to have bubbles.[/QUOTE]

The year before last I had a problem getting fuel to the carb. I replaced the fuel pump, but no help. Then I put a piece of clear line before the pump, lots of bubbles. After replacing most of the line and the pump bulb I found the problem. The pickup tubes in both gas tanks were loose at the top and sucking air. A plastic plate with a fuel line fitting and a float gage screws to the top of each tank. Inside the tanks a short plastic tube, about 3/4" long, is molded into the plate. The 10" pickup tube slides over it. No clamp. No seriously, you heard me. I mean what the #%@&

Two 6 Gal. Mercury tanks!!! Like over $100.00 bucks each. AND NO CLAMPS And to make it worse, the way they're made you can't even use clamps. No room and the clamps just smash the molded tube. So I pressed a piece of stainless tubing into the molded tube and secured it with some PC-7 epoxy and added a clamp to hold the pickup tube tight. Problem solved.

It took me all of 3 1/2 months to find and figure out how to fix the problem, but if I would have had clear line on, I could have seen the bubbles coming right from the tank, which was the last place I checked.

 

[juno pierrat]

had engine quieting problems when in long idle zones, mueller low profile tanks have similar tub within a tube pickup, put gasket sealer around tube and jammed it back together, seamed to help, a little off subject but may help some one in future

 

[GA_Boater]

Using clear tubing as a temporary troubleshooting tool is fine. For permanent replacement, don't know why.

 

[JBIII]

QUOTE=F_R;n10481299]Such is the case with the clear nylon stuff. There is some yellow stuff that isn't too bad, but I still don't like it.[/QUOTE]

Tygon LP1100 tubing is rated for use with fuels.
Personally, I still wouldn't use it.

As a "Seaman Apprentice with no Bars or Stars", I know that I have no right to, and am not supposed to question a "Ten Bar, Five Star Supreme Mariner", and, or a "Ten Bar, Five Star Fleet Admiral". However, at the risk of offending an Officer or two, I must do this.. Just because I have had a bad last couple days and when I started this thread I was just looking for some good info, not looking to get shot down with no explanation.

So here you go.

If, maybe, there was some really good clear fuel line out there that seals good at the clamps stays clear and flexible in the sun and in the heat of the engine. Would you want to know about it. and why wouldn't you use it??

I have two other small engines, a two stroke and a four stroke that have clear line from the factory. I use Startron and or Sea Foam in both, and they are fine. And believe me it is nice when you have a problem to simply look down and see if you are getting fuel to the carb.

 

[Scott Danforth]

for a tube to be clear, it is not reinforced
for a tube to be clear, the mechanical properties of the material had to be compromised.
for a tube to be clear, the chemical properties of the material had to be compromised.


for a temp troubleshooting thing, no problem to use a piece of clear tubing

for a permanent installation, use the proper hose.

both startron and sea form will shorten the already shortened life of the clear tubing.

 

[dingbat]

If, maybe, there was some really good clear fuel line out there that seals good at the clamps stays clear and flexible in the sun and in the heat of the engine. Would you want to know about it. and why wouldn't you use it??

I've battled heat and radiation induced material failures my entire career. If such a product was even possible, you wouldn't be able to afford it....oh, and you forgot to add fire resistant to the criteria. Pretty important should you have a fire onboard.

I have two other small engines, a two stroke and a four stroke that have clear line from the factory. I use Startron and or Sea Foam in both, and they are fine. And believe me it is nice when you have a problem to simply look down and see if you are getting fuel to the carb.

It's all about risk..... while your content using clear line on your lawn trimmer standing in your back yard, I doubt you would have the same level of comfort using clear line on your only means of returning from 125 miles offshore.....