Diesel fuel hoses

[gamayun]

I searched a bit into the archives but didn't see anything on the difference between automotive fuel lines and the ones in the marine chandlery. This is straight diesel (no gas or ethanol) so was wondering what's up between them other than one type is 3 times more expensive? One of the hoses (the longest run and the largest size) is also the vent line, which "shouldn't" ever have any fuel running through it. What can you diesel experts tell me about this? It's a one-time-and-(likely)-done thing so I'm not that adverse to spending the money to make it last another 30 years. But if the hoses are special, like they hold up better to salt water exposure, then that would be a good thing to know.

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by gamayun

I searched a bit into the archives but didn't see anything on the difference between automotive fuel lines and the ones in the marine chandlery. This is straight diesel (no gas or ethanol) so was wondering what's up between them other than one type is 3 times more expensive? One of the hoses (the longest run and the largest size) is also the vent line, which "shouldn't" ever have any fuel running through it. What can you diesel experts tell me about this? It's a one-time-and-(likely)-done thing so I'm not that adverse to spending the money to make it last another 30 years. But if the hoses are special, like they hold up better to salt water exposure, then that would be a good thing to know.

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with automotive fuel hose. I've never gone to a chandlers to buy fuel hose over decades & neither did my father.
Yanmar, in the service manual, says to change hoses every 4 years. That's laughable. I changed out my then original 37 yr old yanmar hoses 3 years ago approx. Admittedly they were leaking by then & one kinda crumbled in my hands upon removal, hence the change. I couldn't swear to it but pretty sure Yanmar used the same fuel hose on it's tractor engines as it does on it's marine engines. 1980 boat that has always been in salt water.
You can see when fuel hoses are getting knackered as they perish & crack on the bends so they give you plenty of warning.
I'd say you'd be good for 20 years with USA made hose, don't sweat it.

[DeepFrz]

You may find the answer here.
https://law.resource.org/pub/us/cfr/....H-33.1989.pdf

[mlydon]

You can use it in a pinch, but I go with A1 for permanent installations - why screw around? You bought a boat, plan to be/stay poor ;-)

Matt

[thinwater]

Marine hoses are fire expose rated, vehicle hoses are not. You can walk away from a truck fire.

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Marine hoses are fire expose rated, vehicle hoses are not. You can walk away from a truck fire.

Walk away,Hmmm?
Not in many truck/vehicle crashes that I've seen. I'd say vehicle fuel hose has to be fire resistant. You can see the standards printed on the fuel hose if you require to meet one.

[rbk]

Originally Posted by mlydon

You can use it in a pinch, but I go with A1 for permanent installations - why screw around? You bought a boat, plan to be/stay poor ;-)

Matt

X2 and A1 isn’t all that pricey. Bought a box 50’ x 1/4” for under $50.

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by rbk

X2 and A1 isn’t all that pricey. Bought a box 50’ x 1/4” for under $50.

Errr, did you mean A2? I don't know what X2 is. It looks like A1 is the standard marine one sold.

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

You may find the answer here.
https://law.resource.org/pub/us/cfr/....H-33.1989.pdf

Thanks! I hear about ABYC all the time but have never read it. I find this excerpt really helpful. I wish more threads would quote the actual song and verse of the standard. I know my 1988 boat was built well but a lot is not up to current "code".

Woah, I like that website! How did you find the ABYC standard on there? I'm still looking.

[gamayun]

Good info, everyone. I very much appreciate it.

[rbk]

Originally Posted by gamayun

Errr, did you mean A2? I don't know what X2 is. It looks like A1 is the standard marine one sold.

‘X2’ means I agree with your statement about A1 fuel line. Or I’ll second that statement is all.

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by rbk

‘X2’ means I agree with your statement about A1 fuel line. Or I’ll second that statement is all.

Ah, gotcha. Now I've gone and learned something new

[gamayun]

I learned "MT" from an ex-Coastie the other day. Funny acronyms

[rbk]

Looked again and 50’ of 1/4” is closer to $100 thought I got it for cheaper. Did all mine a few years back both supply and return. I also put arrows on each for flow direction to properly identify them.

[gamayun]

I need to crawl inside the tight spaces, but it looks like I might need about 15 or 20' of the 5/8" size for the vent and maybe 10' total of the 3/8" for the fuel lines. It'll likely be around $100 for the A1 hose, which I saw had also low permeability. Given I lay my head near the fuel tank, I decided that it was well worth spending a little bit more for the good hose.

I like the idea of the arrows. It's not at all clear which line is going which way.