Those little fuel return hoses...

[weinie]

on universal diesels. Where does one find those things? Or a suitable replacement?

I replaced mine, which were getting old last season, with the smallest fuel hose I could find with an inner diameter of 1/4". However, I still can't seem to get a good seal over that little nipple on the bleeder valve. I am using aquarium type hose as a temporary fix but it's probably best if I replace it with diesel fuel friendly rubber. I also need those tiny squeeze type OEM hose clamps. The smallest stainless steel hose clamp I can find is too large.

 

[Maine Sail]

on universal diesels. Where does one find those things? Or a suitable replacement?

I replaced mine, which were getting old last season, with the smallest fuel hose I could find with an inner diameter of 1/4". However, I still can't seem to get a good seal over that little nipple on the bleeder valve. I am using aquarium type hose as a temporary fix but it's probably best if I replace it with diesel fuel friendly rubber. I also need those tiny squeeze type OEM hose clamps. The smallest stainless steel hose clamp I can find is too large.

You can buy 1/8" and 3/16" ID fuel hose at NAPA. It is made by Gates and is quite good. It is NOT "A1-15 USCG" marine rated but then neither is the hose from the engine manufacturer. I am sure the factory hose is measured in mm but I would suspect a 1/8" or 3/16" ID fuel hose would work. I use these size hoses on metric Espar fuel metering pumps.

As for small hose clamps you'll want to use ABA Mini-Clamps as they are MUCH better than the factory clamps.... You'll want an assortment of #8, #9 & #10 depending upon the size you determine the hose is. Perhaps just order a #8, #9 and #10 to determine which fits your hose best, then order the rest.

I know #8's work for the 1/8" hose but I can't recall whether I use #10 or #9 on 3/16".....

 

[SycloneDriver]

I went to napa a few years ago for the same little return hoses on a diesel generator at work. They didn't have any fuel line small enough. So i tried vacuum line. It worked for a short time and got soft and started leaking everywhere. I then called a diesel injector pump rebuilder and got the correct hose. It cost $7/ft but it worked perfectly.

 

[centerline]

a full service hydraulic and fitting store that sells parker products will carry it..... as Maine Sail suggested, it is a metric size hose and the perfect size in fractional can be hard to find...

 

[weinie]

I was able to get 3/16" ID hose from a napa store. I had to drive to one about 40 mins away. I was hoping they also had 1/8" inch ID just in case, but they didn't. Turned out it was "Gates" brand though. I couldn't find the "ABA" clamps but I bought the smallest stainless steel ones that WestMarine had, though when I tried the clamps on the hose, they did make the hole a bit oval shaped when tightened.

I installed the hose today on the engine today, and it seemed to work good though!

ETA: Thanks MS!

 

[Maine Sail]

I was able to get 3/16" ID hose from a napa store. I had to drive to one about 40 mins away. I was hoping they also had 1/8" inch ID just in case, but they didn't. Turned out it was "Gates" brand though. I couldn't find the "ABA" clamps but I bought the smallest stainless steel ones that WestMarine had, though when I tried the clamps on the hose, they did make the hole a bit oval shaped when tightened.

I installed the hose today on the engine today, and it seemed to work good though!

ETA: Thanks MS!

Do order the ABA clamps!!! A "D" shaped fuel line is a recipe for disaster...... I get my ABA mini's from ultimategarage.com. The guy is great and its a small business like mine so I like to support him....

 

[weinie]

Do order the ABA clamps!!! A "D" shaped fuel line is a recipe for disaster...... I get my ABA mini's from ultimategarage.com. The guy is great and its a small business like mine so I like to support him....

Will do. Thanks for the tip!