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

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.