Clear fuel lines

[oldSeadoo]

I bought an 94 SPI and someone had replaced the oil and fuel lines to clear lines. I would like to replace the lines for my other skis to clear lines. What size and thickness of clear lineshould I use? The Seadoo manual has 6mm but this is for regular rubber fuel line.

Also, are all the GREY fuel lines must be replaced, regardless of model years?


Thanks

 

[LouDoo]

Personally I wouldn't use the clear fuel lines the reason being they are not USCG approved. Actually the automotive fuel line is not USCG approved either but most inspections will let it slide, because it is approved for automobile use.

Yes, if the fuel lines are grey they should be replaced, I had grey fuel lines on an older Merc. outboard, they did the same thing, and they were not Tempo lines. The new USCG approved fuel lines, which are ethanol resistant are blue.

Clear oil lines are O.K., in fact they are stock.

Lou

 

[Spimothy Leary]

clear oil lines yes
clear fuel lines no
in addition to the reasons stated above, they don't hold up as well, as black braided line, stick with black.

 

[RodInEscondido]

I am a SeaDoo-study-in-progress: new to SeaDoos/jetskis, but did a lot of research on this site and found several threads relating to clear fuel lines. As an aside, this site is a real treasure trove of good information and good people.

Based on the above research, I decided to go ahead with replacing all the fuel/oil/(possibly water) lines with clear so I could watch for bubbles (leaks) in the systems. This is in slow progress on my 89 SP:
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?48274-89-SP-(5802)-in-Escondido&highlight=5802

I can post where I got the fuel lines when I dig up the information, but seem to remember that I located it on an experimental aviation site at a very reasonable price for a 100 foot spool (research says you will need approx 20 feet per ski) for 1/4 inch fuel line which so far seems to fit nicely on all the fittings I have tried.

Guess I need to do some further research on exactly what it means, but on the white label on the back of the seat pedistal that has the model number there is also an exemption from the USCG fuel system requirements.

My understanding of the USCG fuel line certification for enclosed engine rooms is that the fuel line will stand up to a fire for some period of time as well as handling some level of fuel pressure. I did some research on this when working on the fuel system for my 77 SeaRay Sundancer.

In the carb skis, the only pressure in the fuel line would be from the external fuel pump on the old skis or maybe between the carbs on the dual carb installations. I am sure that if I am incorrect in this I will be gently corrected by the pros.

In the aviation world, inspections are mandatory and we always must follow the advice: "Takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory."
In the boating world things are a little more forgiving: it is generally not so far to fall if we need to abandon ship.
Bottom line: regular inspections should reveal if the lines are deteriorating.

Rod

 

[oldSeadoo]

Also, there are some plastic zip-tie on the fuel lines. Is this Ok or I have to use metal hose clamps? Thanks

 

[spx800]

zip ties work fine; just make sure they're tight. I bought my fuel lines from fast flow.

 

[nammer]

do any of the other lines or hoses need to be replaced? or just the fuel lines? thanks

 

[RodInEscondido]

Many people have reported good results with zip ties. When used as hose clamps I prefer to make a double wrap before zipping them up.

As long as you are digging around in there and maybe have some pieces removed for access, I would go ahead and replace the oil lines also.

Rod

 

[marioseadoo]

my 94 xp took 12 feet of fuel line, not 20 and they are loose, now if you are wealthy and got the money to buy extra hose, knock yourself out!

 

[bell99man]

My 97 GTI took 20ft but it is a bit larger. Like Rod said, while you have things open, replace them all. My vent lines had some nasty looking goo in them. I'm not fond of the zip ties because there is no info on fuel resistance but they sure are easy to deal with/install. While you are at it, put in that inline fuel filter, fram g2 works.