NEVER use automotive components!!!
 

I had the high-pressure (50 psi) line split on one of my engines yesterday, spraying gas directly on to the distributor cap. By the time we found it, there was a good half-gallon of gas in the bilge. That we did not have a fire or explosion, I put down to having the proper spark-protected marine parts on the engines. This is also why I always keep several absorbent mats on the boat.

Let's be careful out there...

It was your lucky day !!!! Could have caught fire from exhaust manifolds or cylinder heads. I agree tho, car parts need to stay on land...

Wow. Glade Your ok an boats ok. Artie

+2

Glad things weren't way worse. I've noticed that the fuel injection hose (by some manufacturers) is now teflon lined.
You guys that are running steel braid need to watch that stuff closely also. (don't drop your guard)
We've found that the braided lines will seep fuel at a rate where it evaporates before it will drip, still putting out strong enough fumes to ignite.
Every so often when doing your under hatch inspections, carefully wipe your fuel lines with a rag. If it smells like fuel, look closer for leaks, it may be time for replacement. ( the wipe down should be done with the fuel pressure @ normal)

Chuck, you are spot-on. There is not a single reputable marine engine builder out there, and I've interviewed most of them more than once over the years on this subject, who will tell you differently.

It's not self-serving. It's reality.

Glad your ok, a gallon of gas is a huge problem.

WOW...I'll bet you've played several video versions of possible scenarios over in your mind...thank God you discovered that in time!!

Thanks for sharing...wake up time...a boat is one of the very last places in the world you ever want to have a fire.

Didn't that same thing happen to you 2 yrs back?

Anyway, glad you didnt go boom, that always sucks...:eekdrop:

Glad to see you are ok.

Glad you are ok Chuck!

Scary Stuff!

2 years ago, it was a loose core in the Schrader valve, combined with a plastic cap that couldn't handle the pressure. (Same route, same docking slip!!!) I replaced the plastic caps with chrome-plated brass caps.

...I'll be replacing BOTH fuel llnes this weekend. JetMech sorted me out with a temporary braided stainless spare for the weekend.

On the bright side, every 2 yrs you are testing your spark plug wires for arcing. They must still be good.... carryon.

Jetmech is the bomb. He saved me with a braided line for my trim ram before RTB. My tub looked like the exxon valdez.

had something similar happen on a buddys boat. Fuel line came off carb and was literally fire hosing the distributor cap. Boat quit as we were coming through the marina and he cranked it a couple times as we floated to a dock. Lifted engine cover (jet deck boat) and we saw the fuel "power washing" the back of the motor (elec pump). His boat is meticulously water proofed and marinized because how how he runs it.



On a side note several years ago i took Deans green batboat down to the worlds for a renter and had huge motor probs. Boat was serviced/repaired and run on trailer but not water tested. We put it in and the boat would not run off idle and put up TPS codes back on the trailer. Racked our brains trying to fix it, with the scanner hooked up and the TPS in hand we would get a full 0-100% sweep but would not function in the boat. After F-ing with it for hours Gary Deciucies and I figured out the TPS was and automotive part that was put on just prior to bringing the boat down and that part clocked in the opposite rotation then the marine part. It looked exactly the same and plugged in but the little drum in the middle spun the opposite way. Put on a new Merc part and boat ran great.