Tricks for Installing Fuel Lines ?

Putting an 046 back together with new rubber that I don't want to damage by grabbing and pulling on with pliers, etc.

Anybody got tricks for making it easier to pull fuel lines, impulse lines, etc. into place without damaging them?
Does greasing them help?

I like this 'string trick' in the the service manual for installing the carb boot.

Philbert

Philbert said:

Putting an 046 back together with new rubber that I don't want to damage by grabbing and pulling on with pliers, etc.

Anybody got tricks for making it easier to pull fuel lines, impulse lines, etc. into place without damaging them?
Does greasing them help?

I like this 'string trick' in the the service manual for installing the carb boot.

Philbert

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I dont use a string but I have a trick that can work on occasion. Take a ball point pen spring or something similar but stronger. Stretch it over the fuel line after you slide the spring over it and twist it in like a screw. It works on husqvarna lines where theyre just straight tube . It usually gets the first inch started to where its far enough inside the tanks to pull it the rest of the way . That or cut the tubing on a angle . Or even slice it in half for the first inch and put a taper where it finallu goes wide , use the tag to grab a hold of it

i stick a piece of wire through the wall of the line and pull it into place and cut off the little bit i puntured with the wire

I like putting a spring inside of a fuel line that has to make a real tight bend. I did this on a McCulloch 1-72.

How about padding the jaws of needle nose pliers or hemostats with strips of rubber? Or slipping short pieces of rubber tubing over the tips so that you can grab the fuel lines and pull them without scraping or scratching them? Note: I only thought of this after I did it the hard way.

Anybody know how STIHL, Husky, etc. does this on the assembly line? Do they sell special tubing pliers with curved jaws as a service tool?

The service manual only says, 'assembly is the reverse of removal' (thanks), but there has to be an easier way to do this basic task.

Philbert

Some saws I have worked on I think they build the saw around the fuel line ( Husq 136 141 41)
Depending on the saw, these work BDG91645CP, Pliers, 45° Bent Needle Nose, Extra Long Reach, 16", Blue Point
After doing alot of 141, I remove the vibe screws so I can open the gap between the tank and carb floor; Razor cut fuel line to a long needle point, and use silicone spary. I hate 141's

I usually use a piece of wire, folded in half, crimped down on the last 1/8-1/4" of the oiled fuel line. Ocassionally I tear or cut the fuel line when I do this, but the lines usually have planty of extra.

Regular fuel line goes in easy with a 45 degree cut on the business end. Pull it through with hemostats, cut off the angle, and install a filter.

Stihl "string trick" is a classic.

On my huskys i lube the new line with WD-40, put the filter on first. Then I push a long standard width ty-wrap from the carb area, down into the tank, and out the gas cap hole. I push the end of the fuel line over the ty-wrap end and use it as a "fish tape" to pull it up thru the tank opening. This works great for me on the molded style fuel lines. On the old type plain hose kind, I cut a taper. I'm not sure of what type your Stihl has.

Stihl has a product called PressFit I believe. Makes the line pliable and easier to install..

ft. churchill said:

I'm not sure of what type your Stihl has.

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On the 046 I just installed, it has to go from the outside-in, due to the way the hose is molded. But it was a long way to reach inside the tank to grasp it in order to pull it down until the flange snapped into place. I wrapped the hose around a smooth dowel rod for leverage. But I figured there has to be an easier way, and maybe one that puts less stress on the hose.

I am sure that this is something like a 6 second task on the assembly line, so I am wondering if there is a tool, or a method, or . . .

Philbert

I always just work the Stihl molded gas lines in from the top with a screwdriver.

For pliers

These I found stay smaller when reaching inside a tank opening with long reach they double hinge so depth is a little hard to control. View attachment 228976

little possum said:

Stihl has a product called PressFit I believe. Makes the line pliable and easier to install..

Click to expand...

Anybody have any info on this product?

ZeroJunk said:

I always just work the Stihl molded gas lines in from the top with a screwdriver.

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Eecho said:

These I found stay smaller when reaching inside a tank opening with long reach

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Those look similar to what Chrisoppie noted in Post#6, except for the double pivot joint.

I was able to reach the hose with some large hemostats - just trying to not damage it by using sharp tools. I think that *next time* I will try it with short pieces of plastic hose over the tips of the hemostats.

Philbert

Ill try to get out to the shop tonight and see if there is any info on the tube, or a part #

On other saws we cut a 45 degree angle like was mention earlier and pull it through. Usually pushing from the top, through the gas cap hole, install the filter, then pull the line back.