Probably a stupid question, but

[Gordon J]

Today. Stopped in Osprey (SC) marina for fuel ($2.59 /gallon) and an overnight. After fueling I smelled diesel in the boat. I investigated the engine room and found a quart or so of diesel under one of my Cummins 6BTA. I found no obvious trail of diesel on the engine, but I did find that the builder, or Cummins had wrapped a fuel line around the engine with no chaffing protection.

As a result, one of the lines, from the fuel filter to the pump had a small pin hole. I started the engine, ran it up and observed and saw no fuel leaking. Perhaps it will only leak under load? I am wondering if this particular line is under pressure or vacuum and whether a band aid, would get me back home, about 40 more hours.

I guess what I don’t know Is whether the fuel I found today is many days accumulation or from the last 30 minutes of running.

The marina is near Myrtle beach and probably offers one of the best opportunities to get a fuel line made. Still, I hate to stop now, if there is a temporary solution.

Insights appreciated..

 

[O C Diver]

Unrelated, I'll be at Osprey on Friday for the big blow (bad weather) that's coming. When it comes to fuel leaks, I want them resolved before moving on. There is always the chance that they will get worse.

Ted

 

[GFC]

They never seem to get better on their own, do they.

 

[Maerin]

If you're certain of the source, clean the hose with brake cleaner, put a piece of gasket material or some rescue tape around the line at the leak, and apply a hose clamp, just snug so it won't leak. That should hold you till you can get a new hose made up. That hose should not be under pressure if it's ahead of the lift pump, so getting it to stop leaking should be relatively easy.
If you recently fueled up, the increase in static head or higher level of fuel could explain the leak. That pinhole could also allow air in, so be aware of air ingress problems- sluggish start, bogging under load.
I'd be getting it corrected sooner rather than later. But that's me.

For future reference, maybe keep a few feet of fuel hose in your spares with some barbed fittings to enable you to create a hose in a pinch.

I have a 6BT, it has remote oil filter lines that can chafe. Always good to do a thorough visual on all those kinds of things. Any point of contact is a potential leak, eliminate chafe!

 

[Gordon J]

I’ll see you friday

Unrelated, I'll be at Osprey on Friday for the big blow (bad weather) that's coming. When it comes to fuel leaks, I want them resolved before moving on. There is always the chance that they will get worse.

Ted

If I decide to get a new hose made here. I’ll probably do it here, rent a car tomorrow and get on with it.

 

[Gordon J]

Good idea about hose barbs and hose.

 

[ranger58sb]

If I decide to get a new hose made here. I’ll probably do it here, rent a car tomorrow and get on with it.

I think I'd opt for the new hose. Or travel on one engine 'til you're home. (Did that once, slow but manageable.)

If you decide to replace it there at Osprey, Miles could maybe source it for you...

-Chris

 

[Tom.B]

If I decide to get a new hose made here. I’ll probably do it here, rent a car tomorrow and get on with it.

I don't want to bash the town, but remember that you are only in Myrtle Beach. That's not exactly a boater's town. While there are a few boating businesses, they are geared toward the skiff and center console market. So if you can't source the fix there, remember there are towns like Morehead City/Beaufort/Jarrett Bay, Wrightsville Beach, and Oriental a day or so ahead of you.

Good luck. Let us know how the fix goes.

 

[Gordon J]

I am told that NAPA in Southport can make the lines. These will be crimp ons. Any reason that should not work?

 

[Gordon J]

A day for you,

I don't want to bash the town, but remember that you are only in Myrtle Beach. That's not exactly a boater's town. While there are a few boating businesses, they are geared toward the skiff and center console market. So if you can't source the fix there, remember there are towns like Morehead City/Beaufort/Jarrett Bay, Wrightsville Beach, and Oriental a day or so ahead of you.

Good luck. Let us know how the fix goes.

But two days for us trawlers...

Thanks cary.

 

[TDunn]

If it is a hose just buy a new piece of hose. If it is a hard fuel line you can cut the bad bit out and clamp a piece of hose into the gap.

 

[TDunn]

Napa here makes hydraulic lines that operate under significant pressure. The same methods will work fine for fuel lines. However I would be inclined to replace any lines with attached end fittings with pieces of hose and install barbed fittings to attach the hose to. My engine was done that way from the factory except between the injector pump and the injectors.

 

[Gordon J]

The hoses are flex hoses with manufactured ends. I doubt it requires a high pressure fitting????

 

[Codger2]

If it is a hard fuel line you can cut the bad bit out and clamp a piece of hose into the gap.

I've done that before on a SeaRay in Lake Havasu, Arizona. It worked so well that I never did replace the line.

 

[PaulGel]

The main issue I have seen with hydraulic fittings from non marine outlets (and a lot of marine ones) is that corrode so I go around and put lanolin grease on mine every now and again.

 

[Gordon J]

All,

I tried to fix the leak, temporarily, to no avail. Limped into Southport, NC. Had about a liter of diesel under the engine in oil absorbent cloth.

The NAPA store here is actually Napa automotive and Marine. Anyway, had replacement hoses made in about two minutes, literally. The store used a hydraulic press to crimp the fittings. Versus oem, the hose and connectors are larger in diameter, but I got it re-installed, with lots of grunting. Wish I had made the new hose a few inches longer.



Girdon

 

[menzies]

All,

I tried to fix the leak, temporarily, to no avail. Limped into Southport, NC. Had about a liter of diesel under the engine in oil absorbent cloth.

The NAPA store here is actually Napa automotive and Marine. Anyway, had replacement hoses made in about two minutes, literally. The store used a hydraulic press to crimp the fittings. Versus oem, the hose and connectors are larger in diameter, but I got it re-installed, with lots of grunting. Wish I had made the new hose a few inches longer.

Girdon

Sounds like an entrepreneur that knows the local market!

 

[Gordon J]

Forgot to say

Sounds like an entrepreneur that knows the local market!

$83 for the four foot hose. $35 for the Uber ride there and back.

 

[deprice320]

Fuel Line

Napa in North Myrtle Beach makes hoses. They are less than a mile from the Little River swing bridge and Harbourgate Marina. They are boat friendly and I feel certain they would make and deliver what ever you may need to Harbourgate.
Don

 

[Fish53]

That's why I always carry double ended barbed fittings and hose clamps for fuel hoses as well as spare hose, tube, fittings and flare tool. Don't mess with fuel leaks, fix it now.

 

[CaptRowlands]

Right Call

You made the right call to replace the hose. The automotive and truck supply world is a great resource for stock and standard parts.

I’m a delivery captain and last year had a fuel line fail due to chafe. It was a modification made by the boat manufacturer to bring the filters inboard. A good idea poorly executed.

Unless the line was very old- it should not have failed. I would suggest you try and find the cause of failure and apply prevention.

Once again- congrats on using your nose and observation skills to find the problem and good sense to fix it right.

 

[Fish53]

I use properly supported copper tubing for fuel and reinforced hose similar to hydraulic hose to the engine filters with flared fittings at all connections. There's less chance of chaff and if you inspect when you do oil or filter changes you have time to spot a problem. Just running even A1 fuel hose around isn't the best idea.

 

[Cigatoo]

“but I got it re-installed, with lots of grunting. Wish I had made the new hose a few inches longer.”

You make it sound like the hose is too short. Prime candidate for another leaking issue.

 

[ORIF]

I went through same of the thought processes mentioned in this thread when I recently replaced my fuel lines.
Current lines had crimped on fittings from a non-marine hydraulic shop.
I'd always thought that type of fitting best but it makes fixing problems while underway more difficult - as in this case. Also, as mentioned, the fittings weren't stainless. The hydraulic shops I've been to all say stainless is too expensive and they don't stock them.
I followed my mechanic's advice and used marine barbed flare fittings.
Also ran Trident 365 fuel line which is A1-15 rated.
I looked at the heavy "blue hose" which is probably better but is very stiff and was $15/foot.
I'm not sure what's best.
I suspect the option I went with is easier to repair but the $15/foot hose is less likely to need that repair...

 

[menzies]

I had a fuel "leak" before I left Jacksonville on March 10.

Still leaking!

I have a bilge pad slowly going a nice shade of pink!

Will sort it out when I get back. No biggie.