Is it necessary to use a boat fuel line connector? If "yes," why? (motor, auto)

[Aboom]

Hello,

I'm trying to get a fishing boat running that has a 1987 28hp Johnson outboard motor. The fuel line was missing so I borrowed a fuel line from an old party barge which has a built in tank. The fuel line connector fit perfectly on the fishing boat motor. The only problem was that when I went to connect the fuel line to the fishing boat's portable gas tank, there was no connector on the line. Since the party barge had the built in tank, there is just the end of the hose for the tank end of the line. I know that I can go spend a couple bucks on the connector and add it to the line but I wonder what the fuss is about connectors? Could i not simply connect the hose to the lower of the two male ends of the fishing boat's portable tank and cap off the top Male end and leave the vent open on the cap of the tank? Or, is there another way to make this set up work just as effectively and safely as it would with the proper fuel line connector?

Thanks for any input

[Brian_M]

You're talking about "Can" and "Should" ~ yes, you absolutely "can" run the fuel tank open to the air, it's been done plenty. But there have been plenty of preventable accidents from that Exact scenario too... which brings forth the "Should" question. Is the cost of a few bucks and a little bit of time worth the risk?


I've learned too many times in my life, both directly and indirectly, that those "it'll never happen to me" things inevitable end up happening to me, or someone I know. Only you can answer your own question, you seem to grasp that one way is the proper way, and the other is a kludged together way. You only need to ask if the time and money is worth the risk... maybe it is for you.

[Aboom]

I hear you. I simply wanted to run the boat a bit as I wont be around a place to buy the part for a few days (I live out in the middle of nowhere). Guess I should have mentioned that in the op. Thanks for the reply.

[Bamaman1]

The smaller motors usually require a specific fitting because they can be portable motors- taken on and off the boat.

My big outboard doesn't have a fitting on the fuel line as it's meant to stay on the boat all the time.

[Saugmon]

Watch which fuel line you get. Alcohol in the gasoline eats out some of the fuel lines.Avoid the gray hose on outside and inside is a clear mesh.That inner clear mesh will disolve and cause carb issues later on.

Best to buy a new pressure bulb and get a 5'-6' black fuel line at most auto parts stores.

You'll need the correct motor connector that locks that end of the fuel line into your johnson.

[Mr78609]

Never guess and play around with gasoline or gasoline lines.