Fuel lines

[gargoyle]

I have a 2000 201 Walk with 150 Merc Saltwater. Last year I noticed some cracks in the fuel lines so this weekend I pulled them all out to replace. Picked up the new fuel lines today (3/8) and worked at installing them.

There are several problems I have encountered.
 
First of all, it is next to impossible to get the new hoses onto the barbs. Are there any tricks to help get the hoses onto the barbs?

Second, while attempting to get the new hose onto the barb at the top of the tank, I snapped the barb off. The fitting seems to be made of aluminum. All the replacement barbs I find are made of brass. Is there a problem with mixing a brass barb with the existing fitting, or should I just replace the whole fitting and, if so, how is that done?

Third, the fuel line from the primer bulb to the engine seems to be a lighter more flexible line. Do I need to replace with the same type of line and if so what kind of line is it? The marina did not see how that line would be any different the the rest of the lines.

[sandflea]

1.  use a heat gun to make the line more flexable, and a little (very little) soap water to lube.

2.  Brass should not be an issue

3.  stay with approved line to the fuel tank.  If it is stiff or not will not matter in this location.  Again, make sure it is approved line and don't worry about
     how stiff it is at the present time.

[gargoyle]

Thanks sandflea.

Further internet research seems to indicate that Mercury uses a different size line from the primer bulb to the engine.

Any luck and I'll have the lines replaced by the end of the summer. A lot of luck, I'll be done tomorrow.

[sandflea]

All boats seem to have a soul.  You will be come one with her and make it happen.  It is hard to take time from the family to fix things on the boat, but you will be a victor in this.  Hang in there.  Good luck

[kregars]

I found laying the line out in the sun helped on installing it onto the barbs of the fuel bulb, but that was in the heat this weekend.

[ppaulg]

I am replacing all my fuel lines this year.

Be sure to use the new "Low-Perm" hose.

[gargoyle]

For anyone who may look at this thread for guidance here is an update detailing what I learned.

The barb on the top of the tank turned out to be the antisiphon valve and it is made of aluminum.

Don't use Teflon tape when installing anything along the fuel line, pieces may break off and find their way to the carburetors. Use Form a Gasket Sealant #2 for threads.

It helped a lot to heat the hose. I don't have a heat gun but my wife's hair dryer provided adequate heat to soften the hose a bit.

I first tried lubing the inside of the hose with oil. That did not work well, so I tried a small amount of liquid soap and water mix (I applied it with a Q-Tip.) That made the hose slide on much easier.

The fuel line from the primer bulb to the engine is the same inside diameter but is much thinner and pliable. When I went to a Merc dealer they knew exactly what I needed. They also sold me hose from an after market supplier. They said the Merc hose has been problematic (softens) with the ethanol.

For some of you out there these things may seem obvious. I am not a tool guy and learn on the fly. I don't claim that what I did it is the best way of getting it done, all I know is it worked for me. Now to finish the next project I started.   

[Bruce03]

I assume all the writers are talking about fuel lines for outboard motors, right?  I'll have to go down into the depths to take a look at my fuel lines for my inboards but is there any general guidelines as to fuel line life? 

Bruce
___________
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Pro-Line 3250 Express

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