Marine Fuel line VS auto

[jaymasta]

I went to get some fuel line today, I needed about 10 ft to extend my lines to the bow of my boat and they wanted $5.50 a foot, for the "OMC" fuel line. I made a few phone calls and found most fuel line from marine stores is about the same price, the cheapest I found was "generic" marine fuel line for $4.95 a foot, I then called napa and they have fuel line for $1.20 a foot, thats a huge savings factor, is there going to be any differance in marine vs auto though? I would think fuel line would have to meet high standerds regardless.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

In a boat it has to be Coast Guard approved fuel line.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

Ditto with previous message, has to be USCG approved. Marine stuff ensures it is safely used in a marine enviroment. If there is a fire, collision, etc and non-USCG approve equipment is found at fault, insurance does not have to cover the claim. Just something to think about.

Semper Paratus F-96

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

I would of thought that fuel line is fuel line also,as long as you didnt get that cheap clear stuff.A car or truck is many times more likely to get hit or at least be driven in the worst of conditions then any boat would be.And not to muddle it too much as a Canadian you,re not required to follow any USCG rules or regs.Go to Canadian Coast Guard and see if there,s any particular stipulation about fuel line,ive been using high pressure auto line for years.You may find that our regs are totally differnt or maybe the same also.Ive seen the roll of fuel line at a local dealers and it doesnt look any differnt than the line you would buy from a good auto parts store.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

Reference the following website for latest info on approved marine use fuel lines.

http://www.sae.org/technical/standards/J1942/1_200812

You will find as you go through life that the bolt that costs 50 cents for your car will cost two bucks for your boat and 10 bucks if it is for your airplane.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

Reference the following website for latest info on approved marine use fuel lines.

http://www.sae.org/technical/standards/J1942/1_200812

You will find as you go through life that the bolt that costs 50 cents for your car will cost two bucks for your boat and 10 bucks if it is for your airplane.

Agree it's all in the testing to verify the item is safe in the application being used, in this case ignition protected.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

Reference the following website for latest info on approved marine use fuel lines.

http://www.sae.org/technical/standards/J1942/1_200812

You will find as you go through life that the bolt that costs 50 cents for your car will cost two bucks for your boat and 10 bucks if it is for your airplane.

you are 100 percent correct.i believe high grade fuel line will meet or exceed any req for marine use ,i believe what he,s running into is the old dealer price vs others.i know my non-marine fuel line is so far above what the average guy would buy its not funny though i got it from work and at a cost of zilch so im honestly not sure what the real price would be ,it could very well be 10 a foot as it can withstand over 500 psi plus and is darn near impervious to anything.at no time will i advocate using sub par stuff, i would say maybe better in this post do you homework first then buy .

 

[jaymasta]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

I would of thought that fuel line is fuel line also,as long as you didnt get that cheap clear stuff.A car or truck is many times more likely to get hit or at least be driven in the worst of conditions then any boat would be.And not to muddle it too much as a Canadian you,re not required to follow any USCG rules or regs.Go to Canadian Coast Guard and see if there,s any particular stipulation about fuel line,ive been using high pressure auto line for years.You may find that our regs are totally differnt or maybe the same also.Ive seen the roll of fuel line at a local dealers and it doesnt look any differnt than the line you would buy from a good auto parts store.

This is my thinking as well, fuel line for cars must have to meet certain specs as well, I am looking at black fuel line weaved with metal inside. I have looked at them both now from a marine dealer and from NAPA and they appear identical, only the marine fuel line has OMC stamped on the side, I would just hate to pay $60 for the 10 feet that I need over the $15 that I could get it for. I know with alot of these types of things its all made by one or two companies and they just sell it off to others who then stamp it with there own stamp. Maybe most auto fuel line meets USCG specs and its the exact same stuff from the same manufacturer but the auto stuff just doesn't go through the testing of it.

 

[walt-oxie1]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

Marine fuel line is considered barrier hose and automotive is not. The inner construction is the same but the cover is better (more abrasion, leak and fire resistant) on marine fuel line. A hose is made in several steps. The inner tube is extruded, then partly cured, then has a braid covering the tube, the outer cover is to protect the braid and inner tube. While the inner tube and braid may be the same, the outer cover is the difference. The outer cover is not as porous on barrier hoses and will help keep the contents in if the inner tube or braid fails.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

I think what were talking about here is fuel line for the tank to motor if im correct?I find it hard to believe marine line is any better than that used on a fuel injected car or truck.cars use much higher pressure hose and are subjected to the worst of conditions .A t the least id ask for line suitable for fuel injected vehicles to ease any worries.All outboards use a suction method today at least unitl it gets to the fuel pump and thus are very low pressure indeed.Whens the last time you had sand ,salt and snow on a outbord tank line?

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

Marine fuel line has a low permeability outer cover for continuous water exposure. Automotive fuel lines are not exposed to water except for incidental splash.

The USCG specifications also has a higher spec for pin hole isolation with the outer layer/cover on marine fuel hose to prevent a porous hose from leaking small amounts of fuel into a bilge or hold area.

Its called marine fuel line for a reason.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

Marine fuel line has a low permeability outer cover for continuous water exposure. Automotive fuel lines are not exposed to water except for incidental splash.

The USCG specifications also has a higher spec for pin hole isolation with the outer layer/cover on marine fuel hose to prevent a porous hose from leaking small amounts of fuel into a bilge or hold area.

Its called marine fuel line for a reason.

actually as long as the line meets or exceeds sae j 1527 ,uscg type b specs ,id be comfortable with it no matter weather you call it marine ,auto ,truck ,tank ,or submarine.my line is so far above that im not worried but id at least go for that as a min.search around ,do your homework and im sure you will come up with a better price than the dealer .

 

[dingbat]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

The big deal with Marine fuel hose is the permeability and fire resistance of the hose.

The car doesn?t need the strict permeability requirements because the lines are run outside the car. In a boat the hoses are run under the deck and any fumes permeating thru the cover would lead to a build-up of fumes below decks and we all know what happened with you ignite fuel vapors under the deck.

On the fire resistance side, if you car catches fire you get out and run. If your boat catches fire where are you running too?

Yes, SAE J1527 Marine Fuel Hoses is the specification for fuel hoses used on boats. Type A under deck, Type B above deck

 

[jaymasta]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

My particular application is for a 1994 60hp johnson motor, I want to move the fuel tank to the bow of the boat from under the splashwell. The fuel line will be ran under the gunnel to the back of the boat for removable 6gal fuel tanks, Iam not to worried about fuel vapour build up etc, its a small 14' F/G open boat, however I don't want to have any issues later on, from what I have read it seems as long as I get quality automotive fuel line I should be fine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

There is marine grade fuel hose, and automotive fuel hose. Use whatever makes you happy. Just don't complaine if something goes wrong if you don't use marine grade, and don't expect professionals and those that understand to say it's a good thing to use automotive hose.
Use the clear hose from the hardware store if you want, It's only 25 cents a foot, your choice.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

Yeah, use the marine hose.

Check your' PM's

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Marine Fuel line VS auto

I 100% agree with using the proper marine hose - however $5.50 a foot sounds like highway robbery.

Of course I just paid $39.99 a gallon for XD30 so we all have our various tolerance levels for things like this.