Fuel Lines

[mswyka]

This year has been particularly challenging as several of our sleds have developed fuel line leaks.  Sleds that sat in the barn all summer with half a tank of fuel (that is another story) one night just decide to drain out all their fuel.  So far three or four of the sleds have developed these leaks - all from fuel lines that were loose on the fittings.  Don't know if we reached the service life limit on these fuel lines or if the unusually cold temperatures have something to do with it.  Anyone seeing a similar phenomina?

[gixxer6]

Are you using hose clamps?

[5kaws]

Yes two of my sleds same problem
It's the gas they make now a days.  And it's junk
I been running amsoil hot shot ethanol treatment in my sleds   
Works good.   Notice our fleet of equimtent at work of stihl blowers and wackers all are leaking from the primer bubbles now.   It's almost like the gas eats and swells up lines and eats primer bubbles lol. -mike

[mswyka]

Are you using hose clamps?

No, I have not been using hose clamps.  However, I have been putting clamps onto the leaky lines.  I would like a nice spring clamp but have been having trouble finding the right size.

[gixxer6]

I use good quality zip ties.   

[Lloyd (ljm)]

 Mark

 What have you been using for fuel line?

[mswyka]

 Mark

 What have you been using for fuel line?

Lloyd I believe that the lines that are leaking are 1/4" blue.  The last year or so I have switched to 3/16" blue.

[mswyka]

I use good quality zip ties.   

I have seen zip ties on lines.  How do you get them to be tight enough?

[Lloyd (ljm)]

 It is surprising how easy it is to get them tight enough. Does not take much.

 I have had much less trouble since I switched to 1/4 inch black fuel line from NAPA.

[gixxer6]

I use 1/4" blue. 

I use needle nose pliers to tighten them.  Grip the tail of the zip tie right up against the head, then roll the pliers away from head of the zip tie.  I repeat this until I see the zip tie starting to stretch.  Can't get it much tighter than that! 

[mswyka]

Bought a pack of spring clamps.  I plan to use quite a few.

[Tory944]

Sent you a pm Mark...

[jimvw57]

Have always had trouble with 1/4 fuel lines. I switched to the pink 3/16 line from Shadetree and never had any problems and no clamps.