FUEL Lines Again!

[johnmonkey 4]

Well it looks like the third time in five years that I need to replace my fuel line ngr2ngr2ngr2:Y:Y. I am thinking of using 1/4" copper tubing at the tank outlet out through the frame so that I won't have to pull the tank every time I need to replace the lines. I'll use a short piece of fuel line (maybe 2") at the tank to copper connection (with very little rubber exposed fuel) with double hose clamps. Any thoughts???? or suggestions? Thanks, John H

[DanD 9]

Why do you need to replace them? On what? I'm sure my 1975 Sovereign has the original fuel lines on it. I can guarantee that they haven't been replaced since it came into our possession in 1986.

[johnmonkey 4]

All of my large frame tractors...the first time I replaced them 5 years ago with NAPA 1/4" high pressure rubber lines. They decomposed, dried out and cracked. 2-3 years ago I used this clear blue "snowmobile" fuel line....all of them leak. I just bought some copper tube with some compression fittings (actually a "connector)...a compression fitting on one side to a 1/4 npt on the other with 1/4" hose barbs....fingers crossed.

I think the problem is the ETHANOL in the gas :Y:Y:Y:Yngr2ngr2. It hates the rubber. The rubber decomposes gets into the carb...carb starts acting up....and decomposes the fuel line...its a vicious cycle . Off to the shop! wish me luck. JH

[Gary 101]

Sounds like we'd better find some "Ethanol friendly", fuel lines.

[PhanDad 3,616]

I also haven't had any issues with rubber FUEL lines. My local auto parts store made me aware that there is a difference between regular and fuel grade rubber lines.

So far I've always used 1/4" line that meets SAE 30R7 specs - it's for multi grades of fuel, but not for fuel injection pressures. The hose I buy has the SAE spec written on it.

An "upgrade" is SAE spec 30R9 which is good for fuel injection systems.

A Gates blurb:

http://www.gates.com/oreilly/tech_tips/PermeationResistantFuelLineHose.pdf

[Brettw 1,129]

Unless really old and brittle, I have not had any issues with rubber fuel lines. They do have to be fuel line and not just any old rubber hose, but I can't remember having to replace any of mine. I would be concerned about copper with the engine vibration?

[briggsetc 6]

I would go with the yellow "Tagon" fuel line. I put it on my 64 Landlord, and other small equipment a couple of years ago and have had no problems. It is not cheap but well worth the $3 a foot + or - price. I get it at NAPA but see it cheaper on ebay if you want a lot. No longer do I replace hard and weakened fuel lines. Fits tight and does not swell or shrink. I recently had the fuel lines off to do the driveshaft discs on the Landlord and the fuel lines looked and felt very good.

Spending good money for line designed for chain saws turned out to be a waste of money for me. Seemed like a good idea but it hardened up.

I see some line called "Excelon" on ebay now. Looks like a Targon clone and I know nothing about Excelon.

Gary

[johnmonkey 4]

Hello all, I checked the small piece that I purchased today and it does have the nomenclature "30R9" on it. I'll have to look to see if I have any extra NAPA line from 5 years ago and see what numbers are on it. I will also check the Tagon fuel line as well. Thanks for the replies. JH

[ShaunE 1,271]

The problem is definitely the Ethanol. It wrecks everything non-metallic. Even Tygon will become brittle & crack over time.

Ethanol free fuel is readily available in my area but only in the Premium grade.

I have found that if you can not find Ethanol free fuel or don't want to pay the extra for it,

the blue LeMans/Parts Unlimited snowmobile lines hold up the best. However as mentioned before, it doesn't fit the best. But if you drop to 3/16" line, it will stretch over 1/4" fittings. You will have to cut it off when you replace it though. But it will not leak.

Foxy's in Janesville has "end of the roll" lengths in most of the five sizes pretty cheap.

[johnmonkey 4]

I did use the blue "snowmobile" line, at first it was a real tight fit...no clamps needed...however, over time the ethanol soaked in and made it leaky, plus one section actually broke in mid-line..JH

[fishnwiz 3,290]

Just wait until they raise Ethanol content to 15 percent!

[GrincheyOne 52]

quote:Originally posted by fishnwiz

Just wait until they raise Ethanol content to 15 percent!

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id="quote">

id="quote">They already have approval in their 2600+ pages of Rsm00egs. Just a matter of the .GOVs to hold the states highway grants, until they comply.

[Bullstok 1]

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/12/05/tech-101-fuel-line-hose-what-you-should-and-should-not-use/

Hopefully i am allowed to post this link. I couldnt find ettiquite about outside links. If i am not, please ignore or delete. This is pretty good though.

[johnmonkey 4]

Very informative article, thanks. It looks like tygon is the stuff! A neighbor works at a small airport and will sell me airplane gas at $5.00 a gallon!!! #128534;jh

[simGTH16 6]

I stock up on ethanol free gas from my marina each summer ,,, most marinas should carry it if you have one near by , only bout a dollar more a gallon and well worth it !

[HubbardRA 19]

John, this is a new one to me. Have not had any problems with fuel lines on my tractors. The only one I have had fuel problems with is my EF1D, but that is a diesel, so I can't blame that on ethanol. The lines I buy here in Fredericksburg seem to work with the current fuels. The last couple pieces of fuel line that I purchased were just black rubber line from Advance Auto.