Fuel Tank Question

[Jeff Reardon]

I bought a 6 hp Suzuki outboard for a Grumman Sport Boat that will be used mostly for fishing, but will also see some duck hunting use. The motor has an internal tank, which holds enough fuel--about a quart, I think--for perhaps an hour of running time. That's usually enough for short trips, but not for longer ones. Easy enough to carry a gallon or two and refill, but doing that on the water, especially while getting pushed along by current or bobbing around in waves, is a recipe for fuel spilled in the boat or the water. Suzuki sells a 3 gallon tank for around $100, which would not bother me, but it appears that my engine requires a $260 fuel hose to connect said tank to motor. I have a Yamaha 3 gallon tank, and universal hose and ball-pump assemblies are available all over for under $100. Is there any reason not to use my existing 3-gallon tank with a new Suzuki tank connector, and alter an existing ball-and-fuel-line with the right connector at the motor end? Is there some reason that the hose connector for a Suzuki is so expensive?

 

[SJ Fairbank]

Isn't this the correct one? Not cheap, but not $260 either. There are lots of non-OEM fuel lines that I believe will work for about $50.

https://onlineoutboards.com/product...sE2WxGl6NqPiOxwMuCa12_1MZ7unor0rJwWohkZdxqNuc

 

[Jeff Reardon]

Isn't this the correct one? Not cheap, but not $260 either. There are lots of non-OEM fuel lines that I believe will work for about $50.

https://onlineoutboards.com/product...sE2WxGl6NqPiOxwMuCa12_1MZ7unor0rJwWohkZdxqNuc

Might be. I found some other Suzuki hoses that were around $100 that specifically mentioned they are NOT suitable for the DF4 and DF6 models. This one says it works with all 6-30 hp motors, so perhaps I don't need to worry. I'll check with a Suzuki dealer to see what will work. Let me now go on a rant about charging cords, outboard fuel lines and the like, and how back in the good old days when Edison invented the light bulb and started electrifying America and the world, we pretty quickly settled into standard light bulbs and wall sockets so the cords and bulbs were universally interchangeable. Also, get those kids off my lawn.

 

[roy brewington]

Can't see why you can't just make up a fuel line with correct fittings , factory bulb and length of good hose from a marine dealer. Got to be cheaper than a $100. Thats highway robbery. Has it got something to do with the fuel pump on that little motor? Thats worth some research into the whys of only certain fuel lines allowed.

 

[Jeff Reardon]

Can't see why you can't just make up a fuel line with correct fittings , factory bulb and length of good hose from a marine dealer. Got to be cheaper than a $100. Thats highway robbery. Has it got something to do with the fuel pump on that little motor? Thats worth some research into the whys of only certain fuel lines allowed.

Yeah, I wondered if maybe the small engines need a better bulb. But a siphon is a siphon once you get the line filled, right? Gonna call the one local Suzuki mechanic, who is a good guy and won't try to rip me off.