Fuel Line Questions?

[minuteman62-64]

Mariner, 1982, 30 HP. Had a guy work on it a year or so ago to bring it back to life after 20+ years of non-operation. Because the fuel lines under the "hood" had deteriorated he replaced them with that clear plastic stuff like they used to (maybe still do) use on motorcycles. Looking on a couple of engine parts sites it looks like the factory lines are no longer available (which I assume is why the guy used the plasti).

I have a few questions:

Anybody running these plastic lines on their outboards? Based on my readings here, it looks like they aren't compliant with CG regs. What's the safety issue?

The lines require tight bends to fit in place. I was changing a few things around and had to re-route a couple of them. The only way I could get them on to the fittings was to apply a little heat with a heat gun. It looks like the only way to "shape" them to fit the tight bends would also be to apply a little heat. Is this the way it is done?

The "regulation" line I find in West's won't take the bends required to fit, without crimping (to the extent that fuel flow would be hindered, if not cut off). Is there another type of fuel line, sold in bulk, that will take tight bends (or can be molded to those bends) that is suitable for marine use?

Should I worry about this - or is it a non-issue?

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Fuel Line Questions?

Very unlikely that the clear plastic line is either USCG approved or safe. You want hose with cut and abrasion resistance, and fire resistant for under the cowling. So that'd be multi-walled marine fuel hose rated A1. And it's all going to be low-permeation these days, so with an inner lining.

What did your local West Marine carry? Online says they have Shields 368 series, which is a good A1 rated hose with reasonably small OD, and in my experience can take tight bends (1.5 to 2" bend radius in 1/4" to 5/16" sizes). I used that in 5/16" to replace all the under-cowling line in my 1978 70hp Merc.

Some pics would be good.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Fuel Line Questions?

Thanks. That Shields 368 series looks like it will do the trick. The stuff I was trying to run before was what you'd use to run from the fuel tank to the motor - pretty big OD.