Using zip ties instead of SS clamps on the fuel lines...Who does it?

[CReynoldsMIZ]

So I know it is kind of a personal preference, but I have seen plenty of the regular members here use zip ties on the fuel lines enough where it makes me ask. I mean, if I can save 20-30 bucks on clamps and just use zip ties which I already have I would like to do that, but I kinda want some of the regulars input. I used some zipties around the carb area on my 97XP, and havent had a problem, but used clamps around the fuel baffle, but I still dont know. I mean 20 bucks is money I can put somewhere else in the ski lol

What ya guys think about them?

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

And being like a newb I forgot that the search button is your friend and I found plenty of information on this so please, shun me as a higher posting member, and you can delete this if you want or maybe open a new can of worms...

 

[Hghgrad]

I've used them on skis and on vacuum lines on cars and stuff. Never had a problem.

 

[Coastiejoe]

It may work perfectly. But I would be concerned.

If you don't get them all perfectly, I would think they would fail easier than clamps.

Again, I am sure it is fine to do so. I would always be worried while riding.

The money saved isn't worth it to me, especially if one fails when out riding

Riding is suppose to be fun, not worrisome.....

 

[Dr Honda]

For fuel lines, or oil line over 1/8"... I use stainless screw clamps.

On small hoses... I use Zip-ties, since there are no good small clamps.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

high quality zipties .. used it that way for years... never had a problem, it wasn't about the cost, more about the convenience.

 

[dustindu4]

I'm not interested in engine fires, so I used clamps and tightened the shit out of them. Good luck with zip ties.

 

[motox25]

I bought some stainless screw clamps off amazon. They seem easier to remove than other clamps and I won't have to worry about them becoming brittle and breaking.

 

[Brian J]

I just did two XPs last weekend and I used high quality zip ties. I was a little hesitant given leaking gas is a huge safety hazard so I compared the strength by putting a 1/4" fuel line on a double sided plastic barb fitting. One side with a SS clamp cranked tight and one side with a zip tie to see which would pull off first. As hard as I tried I could not get either to pull off.

 

[LouDoo]

I'm not interested in engine fires, so I used clamps and tightened the shit out of them. Good luck with zip ties.

Be careful not to over-tighten the clamp, you'll crush the hose, which will weaken the hose and cause a leak, and can even break or deform the nipple.

BTW, I use a combination of both, Panduit cable ties, and hose clamps at the carb. connections.

Lou

 

[dustindu4]

I do have to say though that my grey hoses were so loose I could just pull them off, but they didn't leak.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I do have to say though that my grey hoses were so loose I could just pull them off, but they didn't leak.

you have a pint... i've tugged quite a few grey lines off myself... right out of the factory (16 years later of course) i always attributed that to the green slime and father time helping me.

 

[Frige]

I am in the refrigeration industry so I see these a lot. They work great and are cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/25-11-3mm-B...060?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf9787ecc

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Lol frige, those are the oetiker clamps that come on seadoos! We all hate them they are a pita!

 

[nitr0genics]

Agreed hate those things, I used proper clamps when I changed my lines, you only have to over stretch the wrong zip tie and weaken it and there's the possibility for fuel going everywhere IMO anyway

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[nitr0genics]

Here's what I use

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[dustindu4]

Here's what I use

Those are pretty nice, look solid. Better than a worm clamp anyway, as long as the screw doesn't get loose on it's own. It's not like that screw has threadlocker on it. A worm clamp I think would be more reliable, they don't back out.

 

[Brian J]

i've tugged quite a few grey lines off myself... right out of the factory (16 years later of course) i always attributed that to the green slime and father time helping me.

I don't think the green slime matters. One of the XPs I just did had some lines with no slime in them that I could pull off shockingly easy.

 

[nitr0genics]

Those are pretty nice, look solid. Better than a worm clamp anyway, as long as the screw doesn't get loose on it's own. It's not like that screw has threadlocker on it. A worm clamp I think would be more reliable, they don't back out.

These are proper fuel line clamps and they can't rattle loose once they start to torque up and there's no chance of pinching either

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[Frige]

Ok, Ok I guess I touched a nerve there. LOL I use them on beer lines all the time and when its time to take them off I just cut them. So do they leak? Why do you hate them?

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Lol it's no sweat. We all hate them because they are a PITA to take them off because nobody uses/ wants to buy the $30 tool to take them off the "correct" way lol

What do u cut them off with, remember sparks an gasoline don't mix so u can't really use a cutoff wheel lol

 

[dustindu4]

Don't use a torch either

 

[spx800]

I used side cutters.

 

[Bills86e]

End nippers and sheet metal snips work real well to remove the metal clamps. I select the proper size zip tie for the application.
I use and prefer Zip-ties and a pistol tightener/cutter. sometimes needle nose pliers and wire cutters in tight spots.

I have found many oil lines fail because the screw clamps cut into it. Most tube nipples are flaired, so zip ties are a great choice.
Screw clamps at hull snout, gas tank filler hose, and a few other applications are reused.

Bills86e