XL-123 Fuel Line problem

[tbebbington]

Gentlemen:

I've got a question I haven't seen addressed here (or elsewhere). I've got an XL-123 that's missing a fuel line. I'm pretty sure I know where it goes in, but how the heck do I squeeze the grommet through the hole in the side of the tank?

So far, I've snapped off two of them by trying to pull them through from the inside--I must be doing something wrong, but I can't figure out how else the #%$@ thing goes in.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[MCS]

Hi, Are you installing the grommet by itself without the fuel line? I pull the fuel line into the tank filler and then out the grommet. Cut the new fuel line with a long taper then use a coat hanger shoved in through the grommet toward the filler hole. Slip the tapered cut on the coat hanger and push the line/pull the hanger through the tank. Once the taper end comes through the grommet, you can grab it with a pliers.

[tbebbington]

Thanks for the response, but (maybe) it raised more questions than it answered for me.
The fuel line I mail-ordered does not have a separate grommet; it's all one piece, with one tapered side (that I assumed was meant to be pulled through from the inside of the tank). I did the wire trick like you suggest, and lubed the line with WD-40. When I pulled on it with pliers I snapped it off before the grommet seated in the hole.
This raises an obvious question: did those monkeys at (*large parts house which shall remain nameless, but rhymes with "Hack's"*) send me the wrong line?
Your response, though, gives me an idea: perhaps if I can track down a proper size grommet I can make up a fuel line out of Tygon.
Any further thoughts?
Thanks again for the guidance.

--Tom

[MCS]

Replacement XL-12 fuel line is available all over the place. Seems like everyone has it from single pieced to packs of 12, but I haven't seen the XL-1xx series line. The last XL-1xx I put a line in was a XL-101 and I used a grommet and some stock fuel line that was available at a store. I'd have to take a look at my VI-123 and see how the line is made but it is at the cabin and I will not be back there until this weekend. My XL-101 is also at my cabin. I have some IPLs on CD that I have with me so I'll look and see if I have the 123 on it.

[lesorubcheek]

Tom,
My bet would be that "hack's" sent you an old, half rotten line. Sounds like you did the right thing to try to put it on. You went the right direction and you lubed it. It shouldn't have broken. It is a tight fit so it does need to be pulled pretty hard to get it to pull in and seat. The last one I played with, I did as A7 described and found a grommet the right size and just used some tygon. Lots cheaper than the factory lines on these models. Its a shame ya can't use the XL-12/Super XL line since its all over the place lately for cheap, but it is a different line.

Dan

[tbebbington]

Thanks for the helpful replies gentlemen--at least it helps to know I'm not crazy!
A7, if you could take a look at yours over the weekend and report what you find, I'd be most grateful.
In any case, I'm switching parts suppliers.