When changing the fuel filter on my 04.5 SP500 I noticed that the plastic fuel filter had rubbed on a small tube on the side of the carb and worn a hole right through it. I don't know what this tube does but I'm sure it's not good to have a hole in it. I would also image that to replace the tube you would have to buy a complete carb so I'm looking for suggestions on how to patch the hole up. I'm thinking it's some sort of vent tube or pressure equalizer. I was thinking of wrapping a piece of small fuel line, 1/8" or so, around it or maybe trying a piece of shrink fit electrical material around it. Anyway everyone should take a look at where their filter is routed to make sure this doesn't happen to you.

 

Not sure what you are talking about, but the hose doesn't pull off of a fitting with like a friction fit?

 

No, it is a solid line, if you pm me I will send you a picture. All the photos I've found in the manual and such make it look like it's a line like you are talking about but in reality it isn't, at least not in all situations. I tried tonight to wrap a piece of small fuel line around it and zip tie it but it's not making very good seal. I'm thinking of cutting out that section and putting a piece of flex line inbetween.

 

In looking at the manual the tube is part of the choke system pulling in extra fuel from the lower part of the carb when the choke is pulled. I'm thinking of cutting out the bad section and putting in a piece of flex fuel line. I've got a piece of 1/8" line from my leaf blower that I thnk is about the right size. Getting it clamped on such a small line might be tricky, maybe a small zip tie or just twisting a piece of wire might work. If anybody has any bright ideas I'm open.