TDF5G 2,073 #1 Posted April 22, 2019 (edited) What happened: I replaced fuel lines on my '77 B-80 a couple of weeks ago. I serviced it, and got it ready for mowing also and put it away in the shed. Started it up this past Saturday to do some yard work and it wouldn't stay running, then finally wouldn't run at all. Fuel pump checked ok. So I assumed carb needed cleaning. So yesterday I remove the carb and opened it up to find debris (which I was expecting) in the bowl and needle seat area. On closer examination, I determined it was rubber debris from the new fuel line hoses. What I learned: To flush new fuel line hose before installing. P.S. I got it installed and adjusted and now it runs sweet! Edited April 22, 2019 by TDF5G 10 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herder 2,355 #2 Posted April 22, 2019 I have always made it a habit to flush out the new fuel lines with some carb cleaner. You would be surprised on how many times you find tiny particles of rubber or dust. When your done and have an extra length leftover use a bit of masking tape to cover the ends of the hose before you store them. It keeps them clean for the next time you need it. I tend to buy fuel line and filters in excess. You always need them when the supply store is closed. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TDF5G 2,073 #3 Posted April 22, 2019 10 minutes ago, Herder said: I have always made it a habit to flush out the new fuel lines with some carb cleaner. You would be surprised on how many times you find tiny particles of rubber or dust. When your done and have an extra length leftover use a bit of masking tape to cover the ends of the hose before you store them. It keeps them clean for the next time you need it. I tend to buy fuel line and filters in excess. You always need them when the supply store is closed. I surely will in the future. My last purchase of hose was a 25' roll. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,037 #4 Posted April 22, 2019 This is one of the reasons I've switched all our small engine machines to see through hose. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,579 #5 Posted April 23, 2019 28 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: This is one of the reasons I've switched all our small engine machines to see through hose. let me know how that hose holds up over the period of 10 yrs or more. all the plastic hose I've ever used gets almost brittle after only a few years. I hope it works for you, but I think I'll stick to my rubber hose. To each his own, right ??? eric j 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,037 #6 Posted April 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, ericj said: let me know how that hose holds up over the period of 10 yrs or more. all the plastic hose I've ever used gets almost brittle after only a few years. I hope it works for you, but I think I'll stick to my rubber hose. To each his own, right ??? eric j Yeah I don't think it'll last that long. I had some yellow stuff only a couple years old. It was ok but starting to stiffen up so I changed it. I've switched to a blue line now. We'll see how that goes. We don't use any ethanol so the rubber should last fine but I like being able to see the gas flow for diagnostic reasons. All our tractors are older ones with under hood tanks so the fuel line is out in the open and easy to change. As an example... My buddy's Husky has the line running through body work... Pita to change. Needed to remove panels and such to do it. I'd likely use rubber on that one. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bc.gold 3,406 #7 Posted April 23, 2019 19 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Yeah I don't think it'll last that long. I had some yellow stuff only a couple years old. It was ok but starting to stiffen up so I changed it. I've switched to a blue line now. We'll see how that goes. We don't use any ethanol so the rubber should last fine but I like being able to see the gas flow for diagnostic reasons. All our tractors are older ones with under hood tanks so the fuel line is out in the open and easy to change. As an example... My buddy's Husky has the line running through body work... Pita to change. Needed to remove panels and such to do it. I'd likely use rubber on that one. Next time yer buddy has to replace a fuel line suggest attaching a fish tape before withdrawing the old line. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,354 #8 Posted April 23, 2019 3 hours ago, ericj said: let me know how that hose holds up over the period of 10 yrs or more. all the plastic hose I've ever used gets almost brittle after only a few years. I hope it works for you, but I think I'll stick to my rubber hose. To each his own, right ??? eric j Order yourself some Yamaha snowmobile fuel line. I've used it for years without an issue. Heck the original orange lines on my 71 snowmobile are still holding up OK. Must be something about the rubber makeup. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,037 #9 Posted April 23, 2019 7 hours ago, bcgold said: Next time yer buddy has to replace a fuel line suggest attaching a fish tape before withdrawing the old line. Next time... I'll make HIM install it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #10 Posted April 24, 2019 I've been using the semi-clear blue line now for around 7yrs - still have some of that first batch of line on the old 1277. It has gotten somewhat softer with age and the fuel, but I also never run ethanol-blended fuel in my engines, either. It has held up just fine with no leaks, ever. One big benefit of this material is that it doesn't de-laminate internally the way all rubber automotive grade fuel line will - nor does it tear off small pieces when installing it onto barbed fittings. To me, that alone is reason enough to use this type over the common rubber lines. I had previously tried to even use the EFI grades of the automotive line that isn't suppose to de-laminate, but it still put small debris in the system enough to cause problems with the old mechanical fuel pump valves. So now, my policy is the blue line unless it is in the case of an extreme heat area - no looking back. https://www.parts-unlimited.com/products/?productId=254407 Sarge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
classiccat 548 #11 Posted April 25, 2019 On 4/22/2019 at 2:52 PM, TDF5G said: What happened: I replaced fuel lines on my '77 B-80 a couple of weeks ago. I serviced it, and got it ready for mowing also and put it away in the shed. Started it up this past Saturday to do some yard work and it wouldn't stay running, then finally wouldn't run at all. Fuel pump checked ok. So I assumed carb needed cleaning. So yesterday I remove the carb and opened it up to find debris (which I was expecting) in the bowl and needle seat area. On closer examination, I determined it was rubber debris from the new fuel line hoses. What I learned: To flush new fuel line hose before installing. P.S. I got it installed and adjusted and now it runs sweet! ^^ Sweet tractor! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TDF5G 2,073 #12 Posted April 25, 2019 14 hours ago, classiccat said: ^^ Sweet tractor! Thank you. She's a worker. I've owned her since 1994. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,097 #13 Posted April 25, 2019 On 4/22/2019 at 7:33 PM, ebinmaine said: This is one of the reasons I've switched all our small engine machines to see through hose. Where do you source it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,037 #14 Posted April 25, 2019 Just now, pullstart said: Where do you source it? I get mine from Lincoln @A-Z Tractor I bought a roll. 25 feet Maybe? Comes in its own convenient handy-dandy high-tech cardboard dispenser box... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites