Re: New fuel lines
Reply #16 –
Two quick stories on fuel lines and ether. I replaced all my fuel lines 2 years ago with minimal difficulty. I had to empty the fuel tank in order to slide it out and remove the fuel lines. One thing to note is the plug on the bottom of the tank that fits in a recessed hole in the floor. In order to get the tank out I had to lift it about 1/2-3/4". Then I had to cut one of the return fittings off the top of the tank as it would not clear the opening with the tank being lifted.
After replacing all the lines, for priming I used a hand diaphragm pump (think hand bilge pump) for the engine fuel lines 2-3 pumps and the fuel was at the filters. For the AH I used the same drill pump that I drained the tank with. I had problems getting the fuel to pull through the line for the generator using the drill pump. After about 20 minutes of running the drill pump I figured the pump was worn out and went off to do something else. When I came back 15 minutes later the fuel was flowing freely all over the ground (probably 15-20 gallons). Apparently I started a siphon just before I stopped with the drill pump and decided to walk away. Had my own Exxon Valdez experience.
Ether and air in the lines. You can dump a whole can of ether into the system while your trying to start (just saying, I know you wouldn't), but if you have air in the lines/filter it will not continue to run. I ran a Cummins 4Bt out of fuel years back, promptly refueled and topped off the fuel filter. It would not start, after several hours I got it to run with WD40 through the intake, went through a whole can thinking it would continue to run on its own at some point, it didn't. Carefully removed the fuel filter again for the "nth" time and noticed a small bubble of air.I removed the bubble with my finger, replaced the filter and the motor fired up on the turn of the key.
Also, you can substitute WD40 or some silicone sprays for starting fluid if you feel the need to use them, Personally starting fluid should only be used on that POS lawn mower that never starts and that your hoping to replace next year.