With the new fuel filter mounted on the transom of the boat, it's time to rout the fuel line / hose from the tank to the filter head.
- To get a visual reference as to where to cut the fuel hose, a great tip is to wrap a bit of masking tape (figure A) around the 3/8" fuel hose.
- Cut the hose.
- Install the hose onto the 90-degree fitting (figure B) and clamp it tightly with a stainless steel hose clamp.
Warning: Only use stainless steel clamps because if you don't you'll be asking for trouble in the name of corrosion, which means you could lose the clamp and the fuel line. If the fuel line falls down into the boat, the result could be catastrophic! Please use a good quality, marine-grade stainless steel clamp only.
- The positioning of the clamp also is extremely important. You never want to clamp down over the end because the edge can get sharp and cut the fuel hose and cause a leak, which could be dangerous. You want to center the clamp (figure C) over the fitting and then tighten it.
- Run the additional fuel hose through the transom to the fuel filter in order to install in-line a piece of hardware called a "primer bulb" (figure D), which allows you to prime the fuel system. By squeezing or cranking down on the bulb with your hand, it creates a vacuum that draws fuel from the tank back to the engine.
Warning: Be sure to mount the primer bulb on the outside of the boat so there's "no" possibility of any fuel ever getting down into a bilge if the bulb ruptures.
- From the backside of the primer bulb, run the fuel hose right to the fuel pump on the outboard, and once everything is clamped and in place (figure E), you're all set with this particular fuel system.
In the next segment, Shipshape Boating host, John Greviskis, will show you how to wire in and install a bilge pump.
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