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Author Topic:   Ethanol ruined fuel lines

auburnbuilder posted 10-03-2010 08:40 PM ET (US)
I am going to replace fuel lines on my MONTAUK that feed a 1999 Mercury two-cycle outboard [later identified as a 90-HP]. What size fuel line should I use? 5/16-inch-ID or 3/8-inch-ID? [Tell me who] makes a good primer bulb for ethanol fuel. I [may use] TRIDENT fuel hose A-1 365; TRIDENT do not make primer bulbs. Does Mercury now make a good pre-packaged hose assembly for ethanol fuel? Thanks for any help, Gary
contender posted 10-03-2010 09:02 PM ET (US)
You have failed to state the size of your engine, however, I make all of my own fuel lines, and have been boating since 1962. The best fuel line that I have ever found is Aeroquip 3/8 FC332-06 (blue in color and not cheap). I use a tool [made by the KNIPEX plier company] with the connections (hose crimps stainless steel), and have found the best prime bulb are the factory ones. The last hose I made for my 1975 whaler was 25 years old, and the only reason I change it was because I was redoing my whaler and wanted it to be new, you get what you pay for. Good luck
auburnbuilder posted 10-03-2010 09:06 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the information on fuel lines.
BobL posted 10-03-2010 09:35 PM ET (US)
Which Knipex crimp pliers are used to make the gas hose connections with the blue Aeroquip hose? Do you know a good source for the hose and the stainless steel crimp rings? I’ve made gas hoses before and like the idea of crimps better than little automotive clamps.
Lil Whaler Lover posted 10-03-2010 09:51 PM ET (US)
The Coast Guard certification requirements for primer bulbs and fuel lines changed for any product manufactured after JANUARY 1, 2010. This change was made strictly to deal with degradation in the bulbs and lines from alcohol.
When selecting replacement lines and bulbs pay attention to the build date. This is really more important than any specific brand. By the way, this led to about a 40- to 50-percent increase in the price for these items.
If you are looking at Mercury or Quicksilver primer bulbs, make sure the last two digits of the part number are "07." This indicates that it is the latest version of the part and is safe with ethanol fuel. As for the size [of the fuel line], use 3/8-inch-ID.
contender posted 10-03-2010 10:34 PM ET (US)
Bob, I get my crimps from a hydraulic supply (also try an aero supply). If you can not find them let me know and I'll get then for you if needed. They are very cheap. You can use another tool to crimp the crimps but I do not know the correct name for them. It looks like a cutter with the jaws periradicular to your hand when you are holding the tool. The tool I have is a Knipex 1098 System Cetiker
Auburnbuilder, for 90-HP I would go with the 3/8-inch-ID fuel line
auburnbuilder posted 10-04-2010 08:41 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the info Contender!
I replaced my fuel lines with A1-15 fuel lines, 3/8-inch.
I replaced my primer bulb with Mercury part 13330K07.
I replaced fuel filter with part 35-816296K 2, date on package was 07/02/10.
I used PEX crimp clamps 1/2-inch to make the hose connections. They fit perfectly, and are stainless steel as well. You can use end cutters to install them. The old Mercury Marine silver-type hose did not look bad at first, then I noticed that it had become so soft in places that it kind of kinked itself. Amazing how fast it happened. The lines I replaced were only about one year old. New old stock however, so not rated for ethanol.
Thanks again!
contender posted 10-05-2010 07:52 AM ET (US)
You are Welcome
jimh posted 10-05-2010 08:45 AM ET (US)
I believe the circumferential steel hose clamps and crimp tool which was referred to in the above discussion are made by OETIKER.
Here are links to their on-line catalogue pages:
Ear Clamps:
http://www.oetiker.com/content.asp?l=4&idNavig=26
Manual Closing Tool for Ear Clamps With Standard Jaws
http://www.oetiker.com/content.asp?l=4&idNavig=446
OETIKER ear clamps are used by Bombardier in their Evinrude E-TEC engines for fuel lines clamps.
I am not familiar with KNIPEX tools and in browsing their website I did not see anything that looked like it was designed for fuel lines. Most of their products appeared to be intended to crimp electrical cables. I am not familiar with PEX-brand crimp clamps. Perhaps we could have pointers to more information on these products. In today's world, it is a simple matter to give a precise URI to a product's on-line information. Thank you.
contender posted 10-05-2010 12:25 PM ET (US)
Jim: the clamp you showed are correct. The ones I use are the Oetiker Stepless (stainless) Ear Pinch Clamps. Hydraulicsupply.com you can see the catalog Page 1007

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Author	Topic: Ethanol ruined fuel lines
auburnbuilder	posted 10-03-2010 08:40 PM ET (US) I am going to replace fuel lines on my MONTAUK that feed a 1999 Mercury two-cycle outboard [later identified as a 90-HP]. What size fuel line should I use? 5/16-inch-ID or 3/8-inch-ID? [Tell me who] makes a good primer bulb for ethanol fuel. I [may use] TRIDENT fuel hose A-1 365; TRIDENT do not make primer bulbs. Does Mercury now make a good pre-packaged hose assembly for ethanol fuel? Thanks for any help, Gary
contender	posted 10-03-2010 09:02 PM ET (US) You have failed to state the size of your engine, however, I make all of my own fuel lines, and have been boating since 1962. The best fuel line that I have ever found is Aeroquip 3/8 FC332-06 (blue in color and not cheap). I use a tool [made by the KNIPEX plier company] with the connections (hose crimps stainless steel), and have found the best prime bulb are the factory ones. The last hose I made for my 1975 whaler was 25 years old, and the only reason I change it was because I was redoing my whaler and wanted it to be new, you get what you pay for. Good luck
auburnbuilder	posted 10-03-2010 09:06 PM ET (US) Thanks for the information on fuel lines.
BobL	posted 10-03-2010 09:35 PM ET (US) Which Knipex crimp pliers are used to make the gas hose connections with the blue Aeroquip hose? Do you know a good source for the hose and the stainless steel crimp rings? I’ve made gas hoses before and like the idea of crimps better than little automotive clamps.
Lil Whaler Lover	posted 10-03-2010 09:51 PM ET (US) The Coast Guard certification requirements for primer bulbs and fuel lines changed for any product manufactured after JANUARY 1, 2010. This change was made strictly to deal with degradation in the bulbs and lines from alcohol. When selecting replacement lines and bulbs pay attention to the build date. This is really more important than any specific brand. By the way, this led to about a 40- to 50-percent increase in the price for these items. If you are looking at Mercury or Quicksilver primer bulbs, make sure the last two digits of the part number are "07." This indicates that it is the latest version of the part and is safe with ethanol fuel. As for the size [of the fuel line], use 3/8-inch-ID.
contender	posted 10-03-2010 10:34 PM ET (US) Bob, I get my crimps from a hydraulic supply (also try an aero supply). If you can not find them let me know and I'll get then for you if needed. They are very cheap. You can use another tool to crimp the crimps but I do not know the correct name for them. It looks like a cutter with the jaws periradicular to your hand when you are holding the tool. The tool I have is a Knipex 1098 System Cetiker Auburnbuilder, for 90-HP I would go with the 3/8-inch-ID fuel line
auburnbuilder	posted 10-04-2010 08:41 PM ET (US) Thanks for the info Contender! I replaced my fuel lines with A1-15 fuel lines, 3/8-inch. I replaced my primer bulb with Mercury part 13330K07. I replaced fuel filter with part 35-816296K 2, date on package was 07/02/10. I used PEX crimp clamps 1/2-inch to make the hose connections. They fit perfectly, and are stainless steel as well. You can use end cutters to install them. The old Mercury Marine silver-type hose did not look bad at first, then I noticed that it had become so soft in places that it kind of kinked itself. Amazing how fast it happened. The lines I replaced were only about one year old. New old stock however, so not rated for ethanol. Thanks again!
contender	posted 10-05-2010 07:52 AM ET (US) You are Welcome
jimh	posted 10-05-2010 08:45 AM ET (US) I believe the circumferential steel hose clamps and crimp tool which was referred to in the above discussion are made by OETIKER. Here are links to their on-line catalogue pages: Ear Clamps: http://www.oetiker.com/content.asp?l=4&idNavig=26 Manual Closing Tool for Ear Clamps With Standard Jaws http://www.oetiker.com/content.asp?l=4&idNavig=446 OETIKER ear clamps are used by Bombardier in their Evinrude E-TEC engines for fuel lines clamps. I am not familiar with KNIPEX tools and in browsing their website I did not see anything that looked like it was designed for fuel lines. Most of their products appeared to be intended to crimp electrical cables. I am not familiar with PEX-brand crimp clamps. Perhaps we could have pointers to more information on these products. In today's world, it is a simple matter to give a precise URI to a product's on-line information. Thank you.
contender	posted 10-05-2010 12:25 PM ET (US) Jim: the clamp you showed are correct. The ones I use are the Oetiker Stepless (stainless) Ear Pinch Clamps. Hydraulicsupply.com you can see the catalog Page 1007