Fuel hose zip tie deathmatch

[Tagged]

My two Johnson outboards use zip ties instead of hose clamps on the fuel system. They work well, and last forever. Unless you remove one.

But it when I replace one, it never seals, no matter how tight I pull it with normal pliers.

Internet research and help from this forum reveals two possible solutions. Special ties with radiused heads, and a zip tie gun that works with regular zip ties.

The question for for this thread: have you used either of these methods effectively? Which one is better?

 

[flyingscott]

Neither, The spring clamps that Mercury uses or oetiker clamps.

 

[kbait]

If you use the correct diameter fuel hose, they won’t leak (even w/o clamp).. zip tie functions to keep hose from being pulled off barb. Most J/E outboards use 5/32” ID hose from pump to carb, 5/16” ID hose from coupler to pump. You’re likely using 3/16 and 3/8 fuel hose (easier to find at parts store).. then you need to clamp securely to be leak free. Best to go with metal hose clamps if using oversized hose.
Good luck!

 

[F_R]

kbait said what I would have said. But to answer the direct question, yes I have used the tool and special ties with a radius on the head. They do work well. However, they have a purpose, which is to keep the hose from blowing off the fitting, not to squeeze it down to prevent leakage, as kbait said. Oetiker clamps are among the greatest, but not in general use among novices.

 

[Tagged]

Wow, okay. I didn't know about the wrong-sized hose issue. I'm sure that's sometimes a cause of the problem. Maybe the prior owner had put the wrong size hoses in this motor. I haven't replaced hoses yet, so I just assumed the right sized hoses were on there.

But I do plan to replace all the hoses inside the cowling, for ethanol reasons.

So:
5/16 from coupler to fuel pump,
5/32 from fuel pump to carb.

what about these other hoses? J140TLCNB (yes, I have the shop manual, but I can't find any reference to fuel hose sizes)

Fuel pump to primer
primer to carb
puddle drain to bypass cover