Johnson Fuel Lines

[northwoodslivin]

Hey guy's.

Quick question. I suspect the ethanol their putting in the gas today is slowing eating the lines on my 89 Johnson 20 HP Outboard. I have cleaned the carb 3 times "third time I put an inline fuel filter in" But silly me never did think of taking the lines completely out of the motor and blowing them out etc. But I noticed the two times I cleaned the carb there was a very fine, what seemed like the color black sediment in the run off in the container I was using when flushing it out, which leads me to believe that maybe the lines need to be replaced, and if so how might I obtain them? there are 3 or 4 lines I believe going from memory, do I need to replace all of them or mainly just the larger line running off the fuel pump? Or is there a kit that is approved for ethanol that I may purchase some place? " I tried looking on here and on google but I can't find such a thing"

The idle jet was getting dirty before and it would cough/sneeze at certain RPM's trolling/slow cruising. That is fixed and it idles fine now, but now it the powerhead has a slight shake to it at WOT, which I dont know now if my high speed jet is dirty or maybe the fuel filter is to big? :S It is one of those universal in line filters that are see through made by SeaSense.

But my gutt tells me it is the original lines on the motor and the ethanol is slowing eating them? Can anyone confirm this might be the case? and if so possibly let me know which lines I need to replace?

Cheers

[northwoodslivin]

Or a better question would be. The fuel lines appear to look good on the outside, no cracks or anything, but are they E-10 "Approved" for 1989?

[npd4432]

I would suspect the ethanol is eating away at the inside of your fuel line or just cleaning up years of gunk. I would replace all your fuel lines here are some suggestions on replacement lines.

http://www.iboats.com/Silverado-3000...view_id.685948

http://www.iboats.com/Shields-Fire-A...-view_id.45038

[F_R]

Go ahead and blame it on ethanol if you want to. I guess you gotta find a scapegoat somewhere. How about just blaming it on 20-year old rubber? Is it really supposed to last forever?

[kodibass]

I replace all the fuel/vac lines every time I service a engine. You can buy the 5/16 fuel line at your local auto parts as well as the vac lines. take peices of your old vac lines to match them up, the job only takes about 20 mins. & cost approx $15.00 the hardest part is routing the hoses. instead of hose clamps I use plastic zip ties.

[northwoodslivin]

Go ahead and blame it on ethanol if you want to. I guess you gotta find a scapegoat somewhere. How about just blaming it on 20-year old rubber? Is it really supposed to last forever?

I am not sure if they are original or not that is just it, I am the second owner from the original owner. They look good and everything. I guess the only way to tell would be to cut a piece of and cut it open. But I think I will just go ahead and pull all the lines off and go into town and see about some new ones and may as well get a carb rebuild kit while I am at it as I have taken it apart to clean it 3 times already

Thanks guys.

[northwoodslivin]

Yup.

My re occuring carb problem was related to the fuel lines. The one was pretty ate up. Replaced all the lines and redid the carb "this time taking the plugs out of the carb and cleaning in there, the one had some crap in there!, what a difference