Bullet proof fuel line?

moonfish

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 1, 2003
Messages
128
I'm chasing an "idle ok for a while then sputter then die problem" on an 2002 F50 that I just acquired. Cold start works fine. Maybe 2k up works fine most of the time. No Tach. Sometimes it won't restart without the start helper throttle.

I've been troubleshooting it while on the lake. I try to pump the bulb when it sputters. Pumping didn't stop the sputtering. It felt like there were bubbles in the bulb. I think that's my problem or at least most of it. One time the sputtering went away not from the pumping the bulb but from wiggling the hose and it picked right up.

I also found the PO had a 1/4" barb on the fuel tank end & replaced it with a 3/8 one. I assume that was a huge leak. It was clamped but super poor imo.

I trimmed the fuel hose so there's 6" or so from the primer bulb to the outboard fitting so the bulb is more vertical rather than laying down. I read somewhere this is the way it should be? Correct? Does this keep the ball in the correct position?

I was checking the outboard side fuel connecter and the brass(male) part came out when I was disconnecting the line. Should I replace it? Is it a unit or a bad O-ring? Does it just come apart like that?

I plan to get a new tank(female) side of the outboard connection & some proper clamps for fuel hose. What's the standard clamp?

Am I headed in the right direction? It seems like there are a ton of threads on weak idles in this forum. I read a bunch of them but most don't have a resolution.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Re: Bullet proof fuel line?

Maybe bypass your quick disconnect on front of motor by running a fuel line directly from bulb into fuel pump, just to see if that's your problem. I have considered just eliminating my quick disconnect to get rid of one potential leak/problem, but Ive never had any trouble with it so have just left it alone. I do carry a spare fitting in the boat just in case. Good Luck!
 
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