09-16-2013, 12:40 PM
Gas or diesel boat? If it is a gas boat, then I would bet ethanol has played a part. My brother purchased an older center console and the fuel lines were bloated on the outside and swelled shut on the inside. We had to replace all of the fuel lines. The older formulations for the fuel lines do not hold up against ethanol. I would replace all flexible sections of fuel line.
If the boat is diesel, then I would still consider replacing all of the fuel lines. 12 years is beyond the service life for any flexible fuel line or oil or coolant line for that matter. Even if the fuel line is not leaking, there comes a time when you have fume permeation. We see this mostly in waste hoses at between the 8 and 10 year mark, but fuel lines should be no different. There are neoprene lifetime hoses available for coolant, not sure about fuel however. My opinion is at 12 years, just about all hoses need to replaced, especially fuel, oil and coolant lines.
Just my $.02.
If the boat is diesel, then I would still consider replacing all of the fuel lines. 12 years is beyond the service life for any flexible fuel line or oil or coolant line for that matter. Even if the fuel line is not leaking, there comes a time when you have fume permeation. We see this mostly in waste hoses at between the 8 and 10 year mark, but fuel lines should be no different. There are neoprene lifetime hoses available for coolant, not sure about fuel however. My opinion is at 12 years, just about all hoses need to replaced, especially fuel, oil and coolant lines.
Just my $.02.
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