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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

So about that outboard fuel line fitting...

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trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/04/2004 : 15:25:07

Greetings,

During my last sail last year I broke the little plastic fitting that is the quick connect to the engine and all sorts of havoc ensued including me being very tired at work the next day.

I posted here and got some great answers about rowing the 25. Here's another question: Is there a brass counterpart to the plastic fitting or something more substantial. I've broken a few of these, they seem whimpy to me. Should I just directly route the fuel line to the engine?

Thanks - Trent

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2004 : 16:30:04

If you don't want a repeat, I'd just carry a spare fitting... or a complete fuel line.

Haven't seen one made out of metal for a long time...

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2004 : 16:38:44

Trent,

Are you referring to a metal tank connector like this?

If so, West Marine has these and coincidently I was just there yesterday buying a replacement fitting for my fuel line and saw them hanging on the wall.

Edited by - on

trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2004 : 16:42:03

Clam, I do have a spare or two on board now but I was looking for a more permanent repair. I really don't like changing those while sailing, two stroke gas is stinky. :)

Dlucier, I'm referring to the plastic piece that is the mate to that, the fitting at the end of the fuel line.

-Trent

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2004 : 18:20:53

I haven't seen a metal fitting but I carry a spare complete fuel hose set.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2004 : 19:06:35

how often do you remove the engine? Put the fuel line directly on the motor with a stainless hose clamp. Safe, cheap, effective. Buy a spare clamp and you're set for anything. If you want to disconnect the line and run it dry, do so at the tank.

Just an idea.

Edited by - on

trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 10:00:01

I remove the engine about once every five years seeing that this is the first time I've done it since the boat has been in Oklahoma.

So I can just run the line direct without consequences? That's what I'd like to do.

Thanks - Trent

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 10:44:41

Hey Trent,

I'm still confused as to what part keeps breaking, and what would cause it to break. Is it breaking at the engine end or the fuel tank end? Antares is on her second, bigger fuel tank, but both have been set up the same way. The fuel line attaches to this barb

with a hose clamp, and the barb fits into this elbow

which in turn fits into the fuel tank. At the engine end, the fuel line has this plastic female connector

to match the engine's metal male connector.

The only part I can imagine breaking would be the plastic female connector, if it were left out to deteriorate in the sun and freezing cold year-round. What's different about your set up?

Edited by - Sea Trac on 05/05/2004 10:45:47

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 12:24:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by trent
 I remove the engine about once every five years seeing that this is the first time I've done it since the boat has been in Oklahoma...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What about changing the lower unit lube?

Edited by - on

trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 12:25:09

You've got it. It is the female plastic connector at the end of the line that keeps breaking.

I do leave it out in the heat and cold, I didn't know that you were supposed to do anything with the fuel line and tank during off season??

It just seems to me that there would be something more stout at the engine end of the rig considering how much you move the engine around. When I sail I tilt it up and bring the mount up so the engine is completely out of the water, that has to stress the plastic.

-Trent

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 12:35:04

I've noticed that substantial deterioration to hard plastics occurs very quickly in the sun and freezing cold. So, I disconnect my fuel line at the engine and coil it in the fuel locker when I'm not going to be using it for as little as a couple of days; not really that much inconvenience. Additionally, having plenty of slack in the fuel line will certainly help reduce the strains caused by turning and tilting.

Edited by - on

trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 14:46:09

What about changing the lower unit lube?

Oops, I guess I busted myself there. I'm just getting ready to do that for the first time since I bought the boat. I have the engine at home and it will get the care that it needs soon.

I think that I'll just start putting the line in the fuel locker as recommended..

Thanks for the advice, I always learn something new - Trent

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 15:13:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
What about changing the lower unit lube?

Originally posted by trent
Oops, I guess I busted myself there.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Ah...me, too.

I got a tube of lube, but forgot about it.

Is it correct that you just remove the two plugs and squeeze the lube into the bottom hole until stuff starts coming out of the upper?

Edited by - Sea Trac on 05/05/2004 15:14:30

trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 15:57:23

I'll tell you tomorrow. I have a Johnson Sailmaster and I'm going to try to drain and refill it tonight...

-Trent

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 16:05:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Antares
 ...Is it correct that you just remove the two plugs and squeeze the lube into the bottom hole until stuff starts coming out of the upper?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's about it, but you'll want to take a look at the used oil to see if it has excess water in it. It may indicate a failing seal.

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2004 : 16:17:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 It may indicate a failing seal.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
On an '85 Evinrude 8 that's not been properly maintained by the POs or the CO, nah! I'm betting on a FAILED seal and NO oil.

Edited by - on

trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2004 : 10:13:53

Antares,

Expect a failed seal, a pint of water and some oil that smells pretty bad. That's what I got.

It is super easy to drain. My Johnson has two flat head screws for draining/filling. Guess I'll start hunting for a seal now...

-Trent

Edited by - on

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