Replacing Fuel Lines

[Charlie]

Hi all:

I have a vintage 1985 sailboat. I repowered a couple of years ago and am looking at the fuel lines on the boat. They all look fine but given that the boat is closing in on 25 years old I am wondering if I should preemptively change the fuel lines. The current lines are all CG approved for diesel and some look newer than others but I am getting ready to go to Mexico and don't want to have problems with my engine. I can't finish all the projects that I want to so is this one worth doing now. None of the hose look cracked or checked. Do hoses have manufacturing dates on them?

[Pblais]

Look at the hose clamps. I have a connection I'll replace just because the line was deformed so baldly. Lines get old and I feel the problems shows up as air leaks from old hard fuel lines. Air leaks are a huge PITA to find and fix.

[ixtlan22]

Boy, Paul you're really right on about air in the fuel line being a PITA to trace and find. I had one that took me two, almost three days...come to find out, it was going into my primary fuel filter. I only found it by changing it all the fuel lines, the filters, and an electric fuel pump . It was such an insignificant thing I never suspected, but truthfully, I came within seconds of buying a new primary FF and there's almost nothing that could ever go wrong with one besides corrosion.

Just FYI I have two fuel tanks and two separate manifolds plus a generator on board so I know it can get a little frustrating on an older boat....if in doubt I change out the hoses and the clamps...if nothing else it's cheap insurance and I sleep better while I'm driving.