Is it something in the gas?

[northcreek2624]

I run some old(all metal) chainsaws about 25 years old and they use very flexible rubber(?)fuel lines.They last years but,at some point turn into licorice and are a pain to clean out of the tanks.Don't know what causes it or what to use in place of it.
I see people selling excelon fuel line but,don't know much about it.
ANYBODY??.......thanks,Mike.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Its the ethanol.

Chris

 

[zzvyb6]

Gas with ethanol in it will shorten the life of seals and hoses. Cars and trucks rated for Flex-fuel have these parts already installed. Replacement seals will need to be ethanol compatible or history will repeat itself. I've noticed that my spark plugs seem to be affected, too.

 

[Willl]

I've noticed that my spark plugs seem to be affected, too.

As in ?

 

[20 20]

Yep, another one of our great ideas, adding crap to something that allready worked fine. It's the crapanol, it'll kill your gas mileage also. I'm all for new ideas and things that will help our enviro, but I hate when crap is thrown into our faces that doesn't do anything but cause us more damage and money spent.

 

[jbrumberg]

Yep, another one of our great ideas, adding crap to something that allready worked fine. It's the crapanol, it'll kill your gas mileage also. I'm all for new ideas and things that will help our enviro, but I hate when crap is thrown into our faces that doesn't do anything but cause us more damage and money spent.

Ditto: Jay

 

[northcreek2624]

Thanks guys for the input,I know I didn't mention it(?) but,the chain oil pick-up hose did the same thing.
Not discounting the ethanol thing but,maybe these lines just have a finite life...Mike.

 

[sw03]

Its the ethanol.

Chris

Bingo that crap is messing up all carbs etc...

 

[DIRTROAD]

I'm glad it's not just my stuff that the gas is messing with. I've noticed that the new 2 stroke oil is junk too.

 

[skipmarcy]

Yep, like the others said, it's the ethanol. Methanol does the same thing to neoprene rubber. I had a carburetor shop for almost 10 years and alcohol gas dryers made alot of work for me. Isopropyl alcohol won't hurt the rubber, for customers with water in the fuel I sold lots of iso gas dryer. I used to have to use viton accelerator pump cups in most the aisian carbs I rebuilt. If the alcohol was strong enough it would actually swell the pump in the bore and lock it up.

I also agree that it's ridiculous to add the ethanol to our gas supply, it saves no money or energy to produce it and drops your gas mileage to boot.