FYI. if you own any type of boat read this, may save you some money.

if you own any type of boat, you may want to check they type of fuel line that runs from the tank to your motor. if it is grey with orange writting on it, most definatly change it out. some of the gasoline has additives in it that are breaking down the inner lining of the fuel lines. this can be a BIG problem for mercury owners (but my be for other manufacturers depending on if fuel goes into the fuel pump before the filter). here is the link with pics. save some money by changing it out now before it happens and gets these chips of inner linning in your fuel system. i have pics of mine and it had started to do the same thing. [URL="http://www.bbcboards.net...first"][COLOR=#707070]http://www.bbcboards.net...first[/COLOR][/URL]
[URL]http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5219/p7050008e.jpg[/URL]
[URL]http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8664/p7050006.jpg[/URL]
[URL]http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/7057/p7050004.jpg[/URL]

forgot to add that i also found some of these chips in the fuel pump and had to clean it. motor now runs like it did brand spankin new. if you have noticed over the years that your motor just does not run as well as it use to i would seriously consider this as a possible issue. remember, if you have the grey hose for fuel line make sure to change it out because it WILL definatly break down like this. ok, my good deed for the day is done.:)

[QUOTE=brlfishing;419859]forgot to add that i also found some of these chips in the fuel pump and had to clean it. motor now runs like it did brand spankin new. if you have noticed over the years that your motor just does not run as well as it use to i would seriously consider this as a possible issue. remember, if you have the grey hose for fuel line make sure to change it out because it WILL definatly break down like this. ok, my good deed for the day is done.:)[/QUOTE]

Very good info. What new line did you go with?

i dont remember the exact number on the hose, but i do know it is like a normal black fuel hose. any boat dealership should know about this. make sure it the hose was made within the past 2 years though, dont buy some old stock because these hoses will break down also. after they seen the problem they started making the new hoses. hope this helps. brlfishing

The new Merc fuel lines with blue (old was orange) writing have the ethanol protection to keep the hose from breaking down.

About how much is a new hose and how hard is it to change. I have a Merc 150 that needs changed.

Shawn

it is sold by the ft., i think its only a dollar or so per ft. as far as changing it out, it was not that bad on my boat (triton). about 10 screws to remove the cover that holds the seats over the gas tank. i just connected the new hose to the tank and then connected the other end of the new hose to the old hose and pulled from the back of the boat so it would route the new hose through to where the motor is. other than that it is just tightening a couple of c clamps.