Old Fuel Hose

[Matt]

Just a note to say if you have an older rig with the mercury marine silver fuel hose - BIN IT NOW and replace with new hose.

This was mine today, the liner has collapsed and the hose was almost completely blocked.

[willk]

Wow! None here, but that's spectacularly terminal. I can see why some peeps worry about internals...

[beamishken]

That silver merc fuel line is well known for doing that. I thought it had been upgraded to last better but I don't think od trust it myself seems more plastic than rubber lined

[Pikey Dave]

Aye! Common problem. I stick with Parker/Gates/Alphagomma, they are industry standard and do what they say on the tin. Poor show from Mercury though, many folk have bought their hose thinking they’re getting a premium product.

[Fenlander]

That hose is my favourite when new for its flexibility and kink resistance. But yep if it comes on a 15yr old outboard or tank it needs checking and likely binning.

[Peter_C]

The fuels changed here in the USA with the addition of 10% Ethanol that screwed up everything in older fuel systems. Even the newer stuff can still be damaged.

I've been using a USCG approved J1587 fuel hose from Sierra International.

[Nasher]

I think people thought I was worrying too much with this thread:
https://www.rib.net/forum/f36/e10-re...ose-90682.html

But the issue Matt has seen is exactly why I've replaced the whole line, including the primer bulb.

[Matt]

I didn’t see your post at the time, although once changing filters didn’t sort it, this hose and the primer bulb were the first port of call. It was actually worse than the pic shows, a few bits had dislodged by the time I took the pic. An easy fix with some new hose from the chandlery and I already carried a spare bulb (and the filters). It certainly was a “wow” moment

[Shaz]

Has anyone done an "idiots guide" on how to safely replace all the fuel lines if you have an under deck tank? Or is it really just the bulb which is likely to need doing?
Thanks
(love from an idiot :-))

[gtflash]

How old was that line?

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Shaz

Has anyone done an "idiots guide" on how to safely replace all the fuel lines if you have an under deck tank? Or is it really just the bulb which is likely to need doing?
Thanks
(love from an idiot :-))

If the fuel lines run under deck they should definitely be changed. Usually the fuel tank is tapped inside a seat or console for access.

If they are under deck, tape them together well and pull, twisting and pulling back and forth with minor strength. Create a bullet shape with tape to help them slide.