Fuel lines upgrade,clear versus black ?

[herb165]

I was wondering if clear gas line was ok to run on my fuel lines on my 98 GTI,i like the look of clear but concern if it will hold up,not sure if it would swell up or have the possibility to suck flat,any help is greatful.

 

[kicker]

I would only use regular (non fuel injection) automotive hose from your local auto parts store. Im not an expert on the clear lines but unless you go with an expensive high end type my thought is you will run the risk of cracking, wear on friction points and kinking. Regular fuel line is resistant to these things and much cheaper.

 

[Guest_User]

I was wondering if clear gas line was ok to run on my fuel lines on my 98 GTI,i like the look of clear but concern if it will hold up,not sure if it would swell up or have the possibility to suck flat,any help is greatful.

if it is a Fuel line that is clear, you`ll be fine. without knowing any other info such as brand or type is hard to say otherwise... if it is that cheap clear hose found at Homodepot or Blowes, then NO...

TYGON fuel line is a great alternative found at Mcmaster carr online...

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Tygon is the only way to go if you must use it...but regular "clear" fuel line will get hard from ethanol. LOL I know...I just replaced it all on my machine last summer and most of it was rock hard.

Black line is really the way to go.

 

[cornhusker85]

Just ripped all the clear line out my ski too and you would of thought it was rigid steel line it was so hard. Time for some black line, it'll last forever.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

if it is a Fuel line that is clear, you`ll be fine. without knowing any other info such as brand or type is hard to say otherwise... if it is that cheap clear hose found at Homodepot or Blowes, then NO...

TYGON fuel line is a great alternative found at Mcmaster carr online...

Also, some water police will not accept any fuel line other than black or at least CG approved.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... what SDB said.

DO NOT use a clear fuel line of any kind on your ski. Especially if you are in a place where the rangers/Police are looking at PWC. It's not legal, and you could be fined.

With that said... rubber automotive fuel line isn't USCG approved either... but in my +25 years of playing with boats and PWC... I've never had an issue with it.

 

[Dr Honda]

Just ripped all the clear line out my ski too and you would of thought it was rigid steel line it was so hard. Time for some black line, it'll last forever.

Rigid line isn't good either. It could crack, and cause a fire. When hard lines are in a car/truck... a leak will hit the ground, and not fill the vehicle full of fuel.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

in agreement with everyone.

black is the only way to go, yes i know clear looks cool, but its not the right product for the job.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Clear lines for the water cooling are neat if you want to see stuff moving...

speaking of, i want to get some yellow / clear tubing to replace the blue on mine, anywhere online I should get, and anyone know the size?

 

[kicker]

Not sure what ski your referring to, but I just ordered and received Tygon yellow transparent fuel and lubricant grade line from McMaster-Carr, to change all my oil injection lines. I looked all over locally and could not find it. Ordered from McMaster Monday and received it today.

 

[RodInEscondido]

Not to be contrary to the experts out here .... well, maybe I am.

Keeping in mind that I am a gross amateur in a steep learning curve on SeaDoos and having 5 to work on (danged job keeps getting in the way of fun stuff) ... some observations:

Regarding the "water police" not liking clear fuel lines, what is the meaning of the tag on the rear of the ski exempting the rig from USCG regulations on fuel system? Has anybody pointed this out to the "water police"? Maybe I am just a contrary old fart, but I have no problem looking the "officials" in the eye and challenging them to justify their position.


Regarding black fuel lines lasting forever ... most of the black fuel lines I have found in the skis I have are hard as a rock and cracked at many connections (leaking even without pressure in them). Anywhere you have even a small pressure differential you have the potential for leaks, I prefer to be able to see bubbles where they may cause a problem.

I am also a pilot with a great interest in experimental (homebuilt) aircraft; this, in fact, led me to the SeaDoo as a watercraft to learn about because of the commonality of the Rotax engine in both applications.

I acquired the clear fuel line I am putting in either the 89 or 90 SP to start with from an aircraft supply house. I figured if it was acceptable for fuel line in an airplane, it should be acceptable for use in a SeaDoo. I have a thread on this where I will update when I get back to the project.

Understanding that I am going in a direction not recommended by the experts and completely respecting their experiences, I will tread carefully, inspect frequently and post my experiences.

Rod's $0.03 worth

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Not sure what ski your referring to, but I just ordered and received Tygon yellow transparent fuel and lubricant grade line from McMaster-Carr, to change all my oil injection lines. I looked all over locally and could not find it. Ordered from McMaster Monday and received it today.

Kicker, Are you using the larger colored lines for your fuel lines also or just the smaller oil injector lines?

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Hey Rod....would you ever put ethanol in your airplane? How about let it sit for six months?

From my experience...my lines were nice and flexible until gas got really expensive and I ran a couple tanks of eth gas thru them. Then...over the next few months they got hard and cloudy.

The black line you get from an auto parts store is formulated for ethanol and today's additives. That is the reason I will continue to advise using it.

 

[Robj]

For the small difference in cost, I use marine grade fuel line in my water toys.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

why don't you all just buy a nice set of clean used grey line on ebay ?

ok ok i'm kidding...

 

[Minnetonka4me]

IALTO

I always love that one...

 

[RodInEscondido]

The USCG certified fuel line is absolutely the best and safest choice ... the argument here would be the "small" difference in price.
Rod

 

[RodInEscondido]

Hey Rod....would you ever put ethanol in your airplane? How about let it sit for six months?

Lots of airplane engines have been converted or designed to use regular, unleaded gasoline. I do not like it either and your point is well taken that I would not let it sit around for a long period.

From my experience...my lines were nice and flexible until gas got really expensive and I ran a couple tanks of eth gas thru them. Then...over the next few months they got hard and cloudy.

Another point well taken, but I have already started so will see how one works out with the clear lines. I know I never start an enclosed engine until I have sniffed/vented/checked the bilge so hopefully will detect a problem in advance of it becoming a PROBLEM. Here in CA we can never be sure what kind of crap they are putting in the gas so it will be interesting to see what it does to the clear fuel lines.

The black line you get from an auto parts store is formulated for ethanol and today's additives. That is the reason I will continue to advise using it.

You appear to have the challenge of working on other persons' skis and must follow a higher standard because you have no idea if the owner will ever remove the seat after leaving your shop ... correct me if I am wrong on this.

Rod

 

[kicker]

Seadoobuddy, I am almost done replacing all my fuel and oil injection lines.

I used regular black non fuel injection line from Carquest for all my fuel line and fuel and lubricant yellow Tygon PVC tubing for all oil injection lines, big and small.

 

[Matt Braley]

Yep I'm a Carquest man myself. Gates makes it for them and it's just the business!

Frankly, I never thought this thread would get much passed Minne's statement about them being "rock hard" on hi own ski. I could have given it another "yeah, me too". I bought a long roll of the orange "fuel line" off ebay. After just a couple weeks of the fuel around here and it was a concrete degree of stiff. I tried to pass it off as "formed to the nipples" but noticed a leak soon after. Now they are strictly 1/4" water lines!

 

[johngtx]

I see alot of people say u must use non fuel injection line?why is this? What is wrong with using fuel injection line?

 

[Matt Braley]

Nothing wrong with fuel injection line except for price. It is made to handle high psi and unnecessary for our application(Seadoos with carbs).

 

[johngtx]

OK good! I just installed injection line because I thought it would last longer. I got it threw someone I work with for 8 Rand/meter. Which is dirt cheap.it says on the side fuel alcohol oil and water 20 bar pressure.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Ron...you are correct. I do everything over the top for my customers. My winterizations is completely over the top b/c I do not want to deal with one coming back with an issue.

BUT...as I said I put the clear stuff in my personal machine and it did stay flexible the first few years, but as soon as the eth went through...rock hard. I didnt have an issue...no leaks or anything...but I would never run it again and I definitely would not install it even if a customer asked.

Tygon is a whole 'nother animal...totally different formulation. I have never used it for fuel lines but I assume it would be more resistant.


LOL and you are VERY correct about many customers never taking the seats off. I try to dummy-proof everything. I need to write up a good page of tips for these customers so I dont have to spend a half hour with each one before they leave. Usually if they are even slightly mechanical I talk them through how to do the job vs. trying to sell them on me doing it. I feel if you can get a guy to work on his own stuff, he will value his experience on the water that much more. Then they fall in love with the sport and recruit others to the sport.