anyone use clear or colored fuel line?

[kilabez0]

Dont mean to make a bunch of posts but figured I'd throw this out. Was thinking of clear or clear/colored fuel line. Any recommendations or things to avoid?

 

[Ankeneyou]

I'd say just stick with regular cheap black. The clear/colored lines usually change color and get hard after a year or so. Here is blue ebay line after 1 year I replaced.

I tried some line from www.fuel-line.com on my spx build last winter and it's holding up a little better but still starting to discolor.

 

[Frank_Hassa]

Dont mean to make a bunch of posts but figured I'd throw this out. Was thinking of clear or clear/colored fuel line. Any recommendations or things to avoid?

I've asked a similar question. Also wanted clear fuel lines, in order to see bubbles. Some people use them. I took other people's advice and went with the standard black fuel lines. They say the clear lines degrade with time and exposure to fuel such that the turn yellow, which defeats the purpose of being able to see through them, and also they become brittle, and can crack. The post that made me decide to not get clear lines (which I really wanted) was the guy that said that he installed clear lines last year and now they are all yellow. One year of being clear was not with the risk, so I bought 25 ft. of

 

[Matt Braley]

If you want colored line that is good get HELIX but it's not cheap.

 

[RodInEscondido]

Stay away from plain vinyl, it will harden within weeks.

I am now using clear Blue Polyurethane Fuel Line found on Amazon; reviews and questions indicated it stayed in good shape for years. I cannot attest to the longevity as it has not been in use long enough, but so far so good.

I do use the clear stuff on the cooling lines so I can see bubbles/flow.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I'm testing some 3/32ID nylon tubing I picked up, it's kinda hard to work with getting it onto the barbs and easy to overheat with a heat gun. A hairdryer seems to work, or maybe very hot water. This should work well considering nylon is the inner liner of fuel injection high pressure tubing.

Have a look at the polymer charts, there aren't many choices that have high resistance.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

although I like the initial cool effect of colored or clear lines, i've seen 3 sets that discolored within a year or less. Maybe if you have a super sexy show ski and you are willing to swap them out frequently, then go for it otherwise no.

I also always felt uncomfortable putting anything but the braided black in a high heat situation.

IMO its best to stick with black braided gates line from the auto store, priced right, proven reliability.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

IMO its best to stick with black braided gates line from the auto store, priced right, proven reliability.

Yes, Gates makes excellent neoprene fuel line, it might be blended with some other polymer as well, not sure.

One issue with the 951 1/4" ID line feeding the PTO carb is a thicker wall tubing gets in the way of pushing the line onto the barb. Marine USGC stuff is too thick and even some automotive line.

In a bilge, heat resistance really matters in case of fire.

 

[JKSTI&R1]

I have used clear fuel lines for years and as long as its not vinyl, you should be good. I use the clear ploy lines to see if there is ever a fuel issue. I do live in Az and I have never had a line get hard or break yet, and it has been at least 3 years on some of my skis with the clear lines. If you get good stuff, you will be fine. The lines will last longer then your carbs will need cleaned/rebuilt..... As for the color lines, dont know, only have used the clear lines. This is on all the 2 stroke motors, 580 657 717 787 951............