Getting a tight clamp on fuel lines

RatLabGuy

RatLabGuy

You look like a monkey and smell like one too
Joined
May 18, 2005
Location
Churchville, MD
This is actually for a lawnmower but I figure the principle is pretty general.

Having a hard time w/ a fuel connection that is leaking. Carb fuel inlet has a barb, a short rubber hose (1.5"?) connects this to a hard fuel line. End of line is slightly flared.
The original hose melted due to a fire (old lady next door never cleaned under the hood of the mower... years of dried grass caught fire...) so I replaced it. Guy at the local shop swore it was just standard 1/4" hose and gave me some (.250 ID .440 OD).
It has the typical springing hose clamps on both ends that you loosen by gripping w/ pliers.

However the hose dosn't feel super-tight on the barbs, nor are the clamps super tight (only takes a little spreading for them to slide around). It leaks when running.
What tricks are safe in this situation to tighten it up? I'll probably replace the clamps but honestly they look pretty decent. What about wrapping the hard lines in either yellow teflon tape or electrical tape? Maybe also a wrap or two outside the rubber beneath the clamps?
 
Have you tried getting the proper fuel line? Try some from a nitro r/c.
 
It may be some metric size, but I typically use 1/4" when doing any mower work. Could be a thicker wall than the spring clamps are designed for, though. Just put a worm gear hose clamp on it and be done. It was good enough for the transmission cooler on the XJ!
 
I have the parts diagrams from online, can't find anything about that particular connection though. This hose sure looks like what's left of the old one... the mower shop is a Kohler dealer and repairs these all the time, seems to me he should know if it's something else...
I generally prefer the worm gear type but it's so small (OD of hose under 1/2") I don't think they even come that small.

Any opinions on wrapping the barb in something like yellow teflon?
 
cn you take the barbed fitting out? If so take the fitting down to the mechanic & match it with hose & clamp
 
Well I spoke too soon, found some worm-type clamps that claim going down to even 1/4" (although it's hard to believe it). That should work better.
 
If the worm type won't work, try the fuel injection hose clamps. They don't make the flat spot in the line when they're tight.
 
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