If you have been referred to this post by a link- Please read this FIRST POST- and perform ALL RECOMMENDED ITEMS, AT THE SAME TIME, THE FIRST TIME AROUND!!!!!!
If you DO NOT perform ALL recommended items at the same time, you are VERY LIKELY to spend WEEKS or MONTHS chasing problems around your fuel system, wasting your time, money, and countless board posts on "mystery problems".
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Here's a little information on what's happening to some of the "non-current" fuel lines (some even on 2010 or later rigs). This is not due to any defect- to put it simply, these lines were never designed to carry the levels of Ethanol that we're seeing in today's fuels!
GRAY FUEL LINE (especially Gray w/RED or ORANGE Print) is very susceptible to the inner liner de-laminating and breaking into pieces, or being sucked closed.
gray-red-print-line.jpg
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Inspect your fuel line between the bulb and the engine. If you have this line... (Gray line with RED or ORANGE PRINT) it's probably a VERY good idea to replace it (even as a preventative measure):
Recommended replacement line: Mercury or Quicksilver "EPA APPROVED" Line. This line is available in BULK lengths, either 5/16" or 3/8" Inside Diameter (we try to always keep plenty in stock). The NEW, EPA APPROVED line is GRAY, with BLUE PRINT on the line.
We now also carry A1-15 Low-Permeation line for below-deck installation.
3/8" Line from TANK TO BULB, and 5/16" Line from BULB TO FUEL PUMP INSIDE COWLING (normal installations).
Example Pictures:
Don't forget to CHANGE YOUR FUEL FILTER, primer bulb, and REBUILD THE PULSE (diaphram-type) FUEL PUMP if there's any question that the old line was deteriorating!
Here's another example of debris, including some REAL good pictures (LOOK):
http://www.bbcboards.net/zerot...32712
Another picture of a fuel sample that came from a deteriorated line:
fuel-line-sample.jpg
Yet another line sample picture from GA CHAMP203:
Example of deteriorated line in the Pulse Fuel Pump:
pulse-pump-fuel-line.jpg
NEW-STYLE, LOW PERMEATION PRIMER BULB:
The new-style (low permeation) Mercury Primer bulbs are actually a DUAL layer bulb. Appropriate bulb will accept EITHER 3/8" or 5/16" line (specially sized barbs).
See example below (a bulb cut open to demonstrate:
primerbulb.jpg
*** IMPORTANT NOTE: There were a limited number of 8M...... primer bulbs and lines that made it out with "stainless clip-style" clamps on the primer bulb assembly itself. The APPROPRIATE clamp is a full-banded Oetiker Clamp.
If your primer bulb was an 8M....... part number, and the black rubber of the bulb appears to be "bunched up" under a clip-style stainless clamp (rather than an Oetiker-clamp), contact any Authorized Dealer for a replacement bulb (bulb would be replaced under Mercury's Parts and Accessories Warranty). Proof of purchase required.
DO NOT add additional inline filters or water separators to your system. Doing so can introduce a fuel-supply RESTRICTION. Additionally, standard production (and all recent years High-Perf) EFI and Optimax engines are ALREADY EQUIPPED with a water separating fuel filter.
Just a quick reminder about the B1-15 Gray w/Blue Print fuel line:
ALWAYS keep a coffee cup of PIPING HOT (heat in the microwave) water on hand, so you can put the end of the line into the water for 20-30 seconds, shake the water from the line, and then install the new line onto the nipple.
Following this practice drastically reduces the odds of hanging up on the inner lining and damaging the brand-new line you are installing.
The pictured piece of line was precisely this: It appeared to be installed correctly, and when cut off you could see light through it (with what appeared to be some distortion of the inner liner).
HOWEVER: When you sliced the sample open, that nipple TOTALLY missed the target, and ended up forced between the liner and the outer line.
Following the above recommendation would have prevented this, as well as the frustration that an 80% fuel restriction caused.
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