Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Okay everyone, here is a stumper for you:

I have a Weedeater GTI 17LE weed trimmer that I can't stop the fuel leak on.  Before you all start on me, I know that this is a cheapie unit (yes I got it for $60 about 10 years ago) but it has really served me well until last year.  It all started with the engine not wanting to run.  I figured that a carburator kit was in order, so I pulled it and put the kit in.  What I found to be the biggest culprit in non-operation was that the plastic fuel line in the tank had fallen apart.  So, easy fix right? Replace the line, NOT.  The first line I put on was the wrong outside diameter and leaked right away.  So on to line number 2.  This line appears to be the correct replacement, but yet I still get  slight fuel seapage between the line and the hole in the tank.  I went to several part sites and find that the factory line #530069247 is replaced with Stens ST-120-870.  Unfortunately, to order it on line ends up being about $14 buck for 50 cents worth of line. 

Any tricks for this? 

I just hate the idea of tossing this operational unit away just because I can't get a small fuel line to work.  The engine with the new kit really runs great.  Of course, I already have my eye on a Stihl trimmer if I just can't get this to work

bbwb

Might sound dumb but what about some silicone like for holding gaskets in place? That was just the first thing to come to my head.

LOL, I was thinking of the same thing as Mike. Maybe even melting rubber to the line, almost like welding.

Well, I am not sure that the silicone sealant would hold up to the gasoline????  When I put the thicker line in (on) I had a heck of a time getting it through the hole in the tank.  It was a really tight fit.  I did check to see that the tank is not cracked.  Is there an epoxy that will stick to the plastic tank?  The thoughts being that I could plug the hole and re-drill to a smaller hole.

bbwb

I believe JB Weld is resistant to fuel & should work. Just make sure you don't buy the 5 minute cure stuff...

Marty

the trick ive found on those lines that just insert through a hole in the fuel tank is buy the line the next size larger and get a much longer piece than you need. then cut the end of the line at a long diagional taper, so you have like a point of a needle on the end of the replacement line. i dab a bit of grease on the line so it slides a little easier and insert the tapered ind into the hole in the tank. when i get it so far i cant push it with my fingers any longer, i reach into the tank with a long pair of needle nose pliers and pull it the rest of the way.......ive done this a couple of times on my el cheapo weedeater trimmer, (the one i loan out) and an elcheapo weedeater blower. so far no problems getting the line in them when needed.

Thanks for the replies.

The fuel line that I have in there now is the biggest outside diameter line I could find (and still fit over the nipple on the carb).  I did have to install it the way described above, only exception was to install a piece of mechanics wire inside the hose to help stiffen up the hose during pushing.  If the line would only swell just a bit I would be ok.

bbwb

Hi! All you have to do is replace the fuel lines with a good hose that is meant to endure gasoline exposure for long periods. I use Tygon. You will probably need a foot of 3/32 ID x 3/26 OD and a foot of .08 ID x .14 OD. There are many folks who can sell this to you through ebay. Just do a search, and they should come up for about $4 delivered and including postage.  Also, when you feed the new fuel line through the gas tank, try cutting it at a tapered angle.  This makes it much easier when feeding it through the whole, and since the line is a little larger than the whole, you will get a good seal.  Replacing the fuel line should be pretty easy from this point, and you might even want to replace that fuel filter too!

Cheers,

David

i just bought a new weedeater for 50 bucks,might save alot of headaches,walmart,the evil empire.