Fuel line trick.

67L36Driver · Feb 18, 2011

Cleaning out the fuel tank on my Poulan 361 I accidently detached the fuel pickup line. :blob2:

How to reattached it became a real problem when I found that I couldn't get any wrench or pliers on the tank nipple. It looked like I'd have to remove the handle/reedbox in order to get enough room to swing a small wrench. The thing almost became a 'box' saw untill I figured out a way.

View attachment 172784

I cut the new line to 6 1/2" per the IPL. Fished a length of .040" soft iron mechanics wire into the nipple and out the fill port. Fed the new line over the wire untill I had a enough to bend into a pigtail. Used a printed circuit board stand off to give a solid flat face against the end of the fuel hose. It helped that it had a projection on the end to center the hose against the shoulder. Holding the wire with both hands I pulled as hard as I could. Took several tries before I felt it give just enough to feel like the hose slipped over the hosebarb fitting inside the tank. Cut the pigtail off and pulled the wire out from the carb end. I wasn't taking any chances.
View attachment 172782
View attachment 172783

Filled it with fuel and ran about 2/3 tank thru it. Hose is still in place.

Brian VT · Feb 18, 2011

Good thinking ! Is a patent pending or can I use that idea some day ?

bluesportster02 · Feb 18, 2011

great idea thanks for sharing with us :clap:

67L36Driver · Feb 18, 2011

I don't know if this method would work on the thinner wall type of hose but may be worth a try.

Agent319 · Feb 18, 2011

Got'r done. Nothing better than accomplishing even the smallest task that has a tough solution.

TN_WOOD · Feb 18, 2011

Wonder if warming them up so they were more pliable would help?

67L36Driver · Feb 18, 2011

TN_WOOD said:
Wonder if warming them up so they were more pliable would help?

Yup, but my Vidal Sasoon 1600 blow dryer might ignite the lacquer thinner vapors from the fuel tank. (I'd been cleaning out the 'goop'.) :msp_lol:

TN_WOOD · Feb 18, 2011

Don't use a heat gun to warm the line, just dip it in very hot water for a few seconds.

redoakneck · Feb 18, 2011

Ever think you could train a tiny monkey to do some of those jobs???

It could also help out in the woods!!!:hmm3grin2orange:

Modifiedmark · Feb 18, 2011

Carl, what size line did you use? Looks like 1/8 X 1/4.

I myself don't like it that heavy walled tubing as it will not flex and float very easily.

You would not have been able to do that with the thinner 1/8 x 3/16, I know as I tried. :laugh:

If there is any of the old broken line left on the nipple that trick won't work then either.

Good thing is the handle is pretty easy to get off, only about 10 minutes or so to remove it. If your doing the carb as well it really isnt much more work at all.

promac850 · Feb 18, 2011

redoakneck said:
Ever think you could train a tiny monkey to do some of those jobs???

It could also help out in the woods!!!:hmm3grin2orange:

I don't think a monkey tiny enough to crawl into the gas tank would be strong enough to move a round...

SPDRMNKY · Feb 18, 2011

slick!

1steve · Feb 18, 2011

Glad you got it fixed, thanks for posting your idea. Whats next? lol

67L36Driver · Feb 18, 2011

Modifiedmark said:
Carl, what size line did you use? Looks like 1/8 X 1/4.

I myself don't like it that heavy walled tubing as it will not flex and float very easily.

You would not have been able to do that with the thinner 1/8 x 3/16, I know as I tried. If there is any of the old broken line left on the nipple that trick won't work then either.

Good thing is the handle is pretty easy to get off, only about 10 minutes or so to remove it. If your doing the carb as well it really isnt much more work at all.

Yup, I used the 1/8 x 1/4. The thing had some new line on it already and I accidently pulled it off so none was left on the nipple. I had just cleaned the carb when I found the 'tar goop' in the fuel tank after I tried to run it. I didn't want to tear up any gaskets pulling the handle/carb box off.

I wonder if you can use thicker wire for the 1/8 x 3/16 hose, say, .070-.090 soft copper wire.

jimdad07 · Feb 18, 2011

Good thinking, thanks for the pics, rep sent.

Maintenance supervisor · Apr 24, 2019

67L36Driver said:
I don't know if this method would work on the thinner wall type of hose but may be worth a try.

Thanks for the tip, I used aluminium fence wire to squeeze the fuel line through a 3200 mac someone gave me, I sprayed the line with windshield de-icer
To make it slide through the plastic bulk head easier and it evaporates quickly.

HarleyT · Apr 24, 2019

We need to see pics of this "tiny monkey"!!!!!

Huskybill · Apr 24, 2019

ChoppyChoppy · Apr 24, 2019

Maintenance supervisor said:
Thanks for the tip, I used aluminium fence wire to squeeze the fuel line through a 3200 mac someone gave me, I sprayed the line with windshield de-icer
To make it slide through the plastic bulk head easier and it evaporates quickly.

Just be careful with using something like de-icer. That stuff is usually high in methanol and that stuff is fairly easy to set on fire, has a near invisable flame and is pretty violent.

I once tossed an empty gallon jug of methanol in the stove. Someone had chucked it in the wheelbarrow near the stove and I didn't even think twice as it's pretty common to chuck empty jugs in the stove.

I barely had a chance to toss it in and it went BOOOM! and flew right back out of the stove and across the shop, along with blowing out a bunch of ash, embers and flaming wood. Certainly got my heart pumping for a bit and some laughs from everyone else!

Jasonrkba · Apr 25, 2019

Fuel line trick.

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