aaargh! small engine fuel line...

[e9999]

OK, this is the 5th time or so that the fuel line breaks on a small engine of mine. Cuz they are getting old no doubt. This time it's the 10 y.o.+ Craftsman weedwacker and right after I spent an hour tuning it too....
So usually, I just pull it out of the tank a bit more but this time it broke in 2 so it's too short.
This is the soft clear plastic type that's about 1/8" OD. It goes from inside the tank through a small hole, relying I suppose on the constriction of the soft tube to ensure sealing there.
Which probably means that it will be a to put the line back in unless it's narrowed down on purpose on one end when new.

So:
- where do I buy a good fuel line tube?
- what is a good one so it doesn't get bad again for a loooong time?
- and -importantly- how do I put it in back through that hole without going crazy?

 

[D'Animal]

Take a piece of the old line to All Around Irrigation or A - OK and get a new piece. It will probably be yellow and made of tygon. Home Depot may have it, Sears with a service department should have it. It comes in bulk 100' rolls and they cut off what you need. If they ask for your model numebr, tell them to get back to stocking shelves in the underware aisle since they have no clue what they are doing.


To install
Cut the end of the line at an angle and make a point. It will look like a cutting you are about to graph when you are done. Lubricate the line with some WD40 or 2cycle mix. Feed the line into the tank so the anlged tip if the line is poking out. Grab the tip and a pair of needle nose pliers/tweezers, etc and pull it through.

 

[e9999]

thanks, D' to the rescue with good engine info as usual!


Tygon, eh?
Yes, that is good stuff.

I measured it at about 0.140" OD (or could be 1/8" inflated a bit?).

Yes, I was thinking about the point thing. It's awfully tight in that hole though but hopefully a new line will not tear up too easily. Lubing it is a good idea. Didn't think about that.... And it's gonna be hard to get all the way to the corner of that tank through the opening though. But eh, otherwise it'll be too easy...

Home Depot says no.
Napa says no.
Carquest says maybe.
Sears says yes but it'll take a week or so.

A-OK? Nah, they're Stihl dealers, they don't work during the weekend....


Dang, I was practicing with another broken line on another weedwacker. Man, I can't even put it on the carb nipple.... sheesh....


eh, what's with the big truck of yours (Deuce was it?)?

 

[D'Animal]

Dealer cost for the stuff is about $20 for a 100' roll.


I'm preping the big truck to go to Utah.

 

[Koffer]

It's awfully tight in that hole though but hopefully a new line will not tear up too easily. Lubing it is a good idea. Didn't think about that.... But eh, otherwise it'll be too easy...

You must be a real hit with the ladies huh?

 

[Weedhopper]

Got em...

 

[D'Animal]

You could go all out and get some Press Fluid pt# 0781 957 9000. That stuff is the bomb diggity for lubricity. With you finger, you can push a golf ball through a standard garden hose with that stuff.








Not to be used on animals or humans!





Yes Gerbils are animals.

 

[e9999]

well, teenagers with a one-track mind aside ,
I did go to Carquest who swore they had the universal fuel line that fits all weedwackers...

of course, it's too big. Must be 1/8" ID and who knows what OD.

OSH has the same thing.

Mine is definitely either 1/8" or more likely 0.140" OD. And it's on at least a couple of wackers I have. (Have not looked at my other power tools.) Is that much smaller than usual?

 

[D'Animal]

Does it fit firmly on the nipple on the carburetor and the fuel filter?

 

[e9999]

Does it fit firmly on the nipple on the carburetor and the fuel filter?

if you mean the 1/8" ID, I have not tried. I doubt I could get it through the tank hole.
The original 0.140" did fit fine on the nipple and filter of course. Although I can't get it back on the nipple with needle pliers. Gotta try heat and lube or take the carb off.

 

[D'Animal]

If it requires heat, excesive lube and force, you ahve the wrong stuff. The radial tension on the hose will just split it in a few months.

If it fits the nipple on the carb and the fuel tank. Drill the hole in the tank bigger. Not so big that it leaks.

 

[e9999]

If it requires heat, excesive lube and force, you ahve the wrong stuff. The radial tension on the hose will just split it in a few months.

If it fits the nipple on the carb and the fuel tank. Drill the hole in the tank bigger. Not so big that it leaks.

I'm going to try to get the 140 stuff first tomorrow. It's out there on the Web for sure, just that I didn't want to wait for an online order to get here.
What size is the standard Stihl stuff?

 

[e9999]

WTH?

called both A-OK and All around (local power tools suppliers) asking about fuel line.
When I told them I needed 0.140" OD, it felt like they had no clue what I was talking about, like they didn't understand the numbers. Despite prodding they would only say "bring the old one in"... No clue how to size or measure tubing evidently.... sheesh....

Not very helpful on the phone at all. But at least when I got to All Around a nice guy gave me a foot of line to try out (looks a tad small) for free. Good for him. Cost him 20c, got a new customer for my next purchase...

Now to see if that fits.

 

[D'Animal]

There are so many fuel line sizes that you almost have to see it and compair it. I know that is not a very exact thing to say but just .050" difference is all it need to not fit on the nipple corectly or if the ID is correct but the OD is too big, the opening will compress where it goes through the tank restricting the fuel.


Here is a example of the sizes.
Fuel Line

Most dealerships have a selection like this hanging somewhere in the shop.

 

[Mace]

I just went to a small engine repair place and bought some standard Stihl line for my weedeater.. it fit the carb just fine and I drilled out the fuel tank for the bigger hose..

$1.50 and away we went..

 

[e9999]

OK, taken care of.

Very easily at that if done right.


Suggestion: buy 4 or 5 inches more than you need.
I cut a very long skinny point. I was able to get it into the hole through the fuel tank very easily. Removed the carb. Pulled the point that was now sticking out of the tank. Thankfully, the new Tygon (yellow) held just fine I could pull it out with pliers without any trouble. Strong stuff. Having the carb off meant that putting the fuel line on the intake was trivial and I could do it with my fingers.

Basically, forget the trying to put the line on etc with pliers wtih all in place. Sucks. Much easier to take it apart and have a very long line to work with. Then very easy.

 

[e9999]

found video (thanks to Blue77) that shows it all, including D's tricks:

YouTube - Chainsaw Repair Replace Fuel Line

 

[fj40charles]

Suggestion: buy 4 or 5 inches more than you need.

I would not be a cheap bastage and buy a 4-5" extra. I'd buy several feet of different sizes so you'll have what you need the next time you need to repair. I like to have several feet of different sizes of vacuum hoses, gas lines, extra welders, and other extra stuff so you don't need to go around chasing after parts.

When you need some nuts and bolts, do you just buy the exact amount? I usually will buy a box of nuts, bolts, washers so there will not be a next time I have to buy.

 

[D'Animal]

So you didn't believe me and went searching for a second opinion?

found video (thanks to Blue77) that shows it all, including D's tricks:

YouTube - Chainsaw Repair Replace Fuel Line

 

[fj40charles]

So you didn't believe me and went searching for a second opinion?

Some people do not listen to any advice. Must not be smart enough to discern the quality of the advise.