Alcohol resistant fuel line?

wilde1j

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Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

You'd have to work hard at finding any gas line that was made in the last 20 years that wasn't alcohol resistant.
 

Hoyt79

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Mar 26, 2011
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Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

You'd have to work hard at finding any gas line that was made in the last 20 years that wasn't alcohol resistant.

Ok, well you know what I am talking about...let me re-phrase my question so that it is politically correct. Will the above fuel line in the link of my original post stand up to ethanol?
 

Sixmark

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Jul 11, 2010
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Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

Well seeing how ethanol is alcohol, then it should be fine.
 

Hoyt79

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Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

Well seeing how ethanol is alcohol, then it should be fine.

I don't understand...according to wild1j's post they have been making these lines for 20 years then why is there such a huge fuss over everyone rushing to change out their fuel lines? Everyone is saying their cabs are being gunked up because the ethanol is making the fuel lines deteriorate.
 

tx1961whaler

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May 31, 2008
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5,197
Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

It's a couple of things. Some of us are running really old outboards. My newest is a 1970. Also, ethanol will do a very good job of cleaning up built up crud in old fuel lines and depositing them into the carb.
 

Hoyt79

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Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

It's a couple of things. Some of us are running really old outboards. My newest is a 1970. Also, ethanol will do a very good job of cleaning up built up crud in old fuel lines and depositing them into the carb.

My motor is a 1972 Johnson...will the fuel lines in this link http://www.mfgsupply.com/m/c/20-4199.html be ok to use for all my fuel lines under my engine cover?
 

tx1961whaler

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Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

I've never used the clear stuff. I just use the rubber fuel lines from the auto parts store.
 

Hoyt79

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Mar 26, 2011
Messages
172
Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

I've never used the clear stuff. I just use the rubber fuel lines from the auto parts store.

Ok, so, should I be able to go to O'Reily's with all the old fuel lines from under my engine cover and say, "I would like to get some matching fuel lines" and be good to go and protected from ethanol?
 

Ike-110722

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Sep 3, 2007
Messages
408
Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

Answer No and no.

First place if this is an outboard and you have portable tanks you should be using OEM fuel lines. They are not only alcohol (ethanol) resistant but also UV resistant and meet USCG type B hose standards. That means they comply with SAE Standard J1527 for marine fuel hose. SAE J1527 was developed in the mid 80's specifically to be alcohol resistant because even back then fuel distributors were putting alcohol in the fuel. Sometime in the 90's they did a tap dance and changed the name to fool the consumer. It's Ethyl alcohol no matter what you call it.

If this boat has a permanently installed tank you should be using USCG Type A-15 hose which meets the USCG and EPA standards for fuel hose, and is not only alcohol resistant, but also fire resistant (It will survive in a fire for 2 1/2 minutes, which doesn't sound like much but actually is quite a long time)

The stuff you are showing does not meet any marine standards

Also you should be aware that you should be very careful about the fuel you are buying. The EPA has authorized E-15 (15% Ethanol) to be sold at regular gas stations. Most owners of trailerable boats fuel up at regular auto gas stations. E-15 can be very distructive even to alcohol resistant hoses. Plus that it can damaged gaskets and other engine components. So make sure they are selling ethanol free or E-10, or fuel up at a marine station that is selling Ethanol free gas.
 

tx1961whaler

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5,197
Re: Alcohol resistant fuel line?

Yes, you are correct. Auto fuel lines are not approved for marine use. I'm quite surprised I have not blown myself to pieces in the last 30 years by using that stuff. Unfortunately the original lines on my ancient outboards were actually just rubber fuel lines. No USCG markings at all.....
I do use real OEM marine fuel line assemblies from the tank to the motor. Durable and UV resistant.
The OP was referring to his under hood fuel lines for a very old, small HP Evinrude. Trying to twist and fit new EPA marine hose with it's much larger OD may cause more problems than it would prevent due to the added stress on the connectors to the fuel pump and carb, which were designed around rubber hose.
 
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