Fuel line leak

[beezee28]

I have a mercruiser I/O 130 hp with Alpha one out drive and I was warming up the engine and found that there ia a fuel leak on the fuel line into the carberator. I am not so well verse in engine and will try to descript it as best as I can. The line goes from the fuel pump into the carb (metal pipe) at the pint where it joint the carb there is like a screw connector into another piece that is bigger, then into the carb itself. It is at this junction that the fuel is leaking. I tried to unscrew the smaller on which fit a 16mm open wrench but the bigger one is like 22mm?? and it would not budge. I am afraid to put alot of pressure on it. IS the bigger piece screwed into the carb? And should I be able to get the small connector out can I use a teflon tape on it? I think this leak was ther since I bought the boat and have not notice it until now. Any help is really appreciated. Thanks

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Fuel line leak

Yes, the "big piece" screws into the carb and the fuel line screws into the "big piece." (There is likely a fuel filter behind the bigger fitting).<br /><br />You will need to hold onto the bigger fitting with a wrench and turn off the fuel line. If you do not have a set of wrenches for fuel lines, do yourself a favor and go down to Sears and buy a set. It will save you from having to replace the lines and fittings that you end up stripping.<br /><br />On the teflon tape idea - it's not a good idea and is not necessary. The fitting is a flare fitting and is not designed to have teflon tape added to it. The tightness of the flare is what seals the connection, unlike a pipe fitting where the threads themselves serve as the seal.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Fuel line leak

Yes,behine the big piece,go ahead and pull it,there is a filter there,clean it why you are there.Note,there should also have a big spring there too!

 

[beezee28]

Re: Fuel line leak

Should I loosen the small connector first and the the bigger connector and then clean it out. When putting it back tighten the bigger one and then the smaller one. Thanks for the response.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Fuel line leak

You have to remove the smaller line first, or it will twist off, (as in "break off" ) . You also put it on last for the same reason.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Fuel line leak

The larger fitting should have a sealing gasket on it. When you reinstall the fitting be sure to install the spring first (into the fitting bore of the carb) then the filter, sealing gasket on fitting then screw fitting into the threaded bore.<br /><br />Also check the flare fitting closely, they are prone to crack from over tightening.