Force 125 OB fuel line size

[primerk5]

I'm just hoping to get a quick anwser on this. I'm attempting to get my fathers boat going for some fun this year. (89 Bayliner capri) It hasn't been run since 1998. We've cleaned the carbs out, and the other night we attempted to get it to run. The quick disconnect started leaking as soon as we started pumping the primer bulb. Also, the fuel line and primer bulb seem to be deteriorating.(Time to replace) I picked up a new bulb from Wal-mart. I had forgot to take my peice of original fuel hose in with me. They only sell 3/8 hose barbs on their primer bulbs. It appears that my fuel line is 5/16, and the fuel line looked really streched over the tank barb. The fuel on the filter barb on the motor didn't look streched though.

The real question:
Do you think using 3/8 fuel tubing and clamps will hurt anything. I don't really have any marine places local to me. Unfortunatly I bought the Primer Bulb. I can take it back but since I can't get the bulb with the right size hose barbs(5/16) I thought I'd just upgrade to 3/8.

I can't find 5/16 hose except at automotive places.

Thanks for the help..

 

[GrindKore]

Re: Force 125 OB fuel line size

I have retrofitted my fuel system last year and are using 3/8 hose with the screw clamps on all barbs. Also consider adding a cheap in-line fuel filter between fuel pump and carbs. It's a cheap insurance against junk blocking carb jets and causing one or more cylinders from running lean air/fuel mixture which can cause piston and head damage.

Take the look at the attached image, I have 3/8" main fuel line going from the tank. The fuel filter is attached after the pump to catch any junk that made through the screen in the fuel pump or potential pieces of gaskets or o-rings breaking off inside the fuel pump assembly.

 

[john from md]

Re: Force 125 OB fuel line size

5/16 over a 3/8 barb is better than 3/8 over a 5/16 barb. You won't hurt anything stuffing 3/8 barbs in a 5/16 line.

Make sure you are using alcohol resistant fuel line as the regular stuff will get soft and kink from the alcohol in the gas these days.

I hope that you have changed the water pump and lower gear oil since that has sat so long. Additionally, I would check for water ingress every time you run for a few times.

This is easy to do. When the engine is cold and has sat for a couple of days, just pull the drain plug and see if water will run out. The oil will start to drip but it is so thick that not too much will come out. The water will come out before the oil so if you see oil right off, throw the plug back in.

The reason I suggest this is that seals tend to dry out and shrink when sitting for a long time.

Regards,

John

 

[primerk5]

Re: Force 125 OB fuel line size

I hope that you have changed the water pump and lower gear oil since that has sat so long.

Thanks for your responses,

John from MD, I have a question on your above statement though. Do the seals shrink or crack due to the waterpump sitting. I had planned to replace the thermostat just to do it. I'm now figuring I'll do the Water Pump as well. (Better safe than buying a new engine.)

Also Is there a guide on this site on how to do it? I haven't gotten to purchase a repair manual on the engine yet. I'm figuring I will as well. But If I can start the tear down before I get the water pump I'll be that much further ahead.

Thanks again.

 

[john from md]

Re: Force 125 OB fuel line size

Thermostats rarely go bad on these engines. Usually, you can clean them up, check them for opening on a kitchen stove with a pot of water and reinstall them with some RTV on the cover. They open at 180 degrees.

Water pumps on the other hand should be replaced at least every three years in normal use. Not only does the impleller wear and get brittle with age, the aluminum water pump housing pits if used in salt water and contributes to impeller wear.

You can check the FAQ or sticky notes at the beginning of the forum for instructions but by all means, buy a manual. Clymer manuals are readily available from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Regards,

John

 

[primerk5]

Re: Force 125 OB fuel line size

Well since I have no Idea if it has ever been replaced I'm gonna do it.

Next to possibly last question..

Are the Waterpump kits rebuild kits or something. You mentioned that the waterpump housing pits. I started to look at some of the waterpumps on the net. They all look to be rebuild kits.

Forgive me for being naive but I'm used to automotive engines. Waterpumps come as assemblys. Not in pieces.

Would you say the linked photo below would be what I need?