Changing Merc 350 Raw Water Intake Hoses

Liberty44140

My boat is 10 years old and the hoses from the thru-hull intakes are showing some stress cracking. Need to change. Both of my engines have 2 water intakes. Raw water comes in through BOTH the Bravo 3 intakes and through hull intakes. They Y together and then go to a strainer on each side. The lines from the strainers to the water pumps are fine and from what I can see the lines from the I/O to the Y are fine. I am just changing lines from the through hulls to the Y to the Strainers (at this point). Questions:

1 - The hoses say "HARDWALL 100-1140 1 1/4" ID" on them. I plan to replace with the exact same hose, found it online for about $6 per foot. Also will get some extra hose clamps. Is this still a good hose to use?
2 - My largest concern with this project is getting the hoses off of the fittings and then getting the new hose on the fittings. Any mechanics tricks to hose removal and re insertion? Heat gun, dremmel wheel to cut the old off?
3 - Is there a lubricant or sealant I should use to reinstall the hoses?

THANKS!!! Pat

PartsMan

Just replacing the hose inside the boat? That should be pretty easy. Take the clamps off and just twist it to break the seal and pull off. If your in salt water the Bravo III is know for corrosion just behind the flange. 

Liberty44140

Yep - just hoses inside the engine room and none going to the B3. I am in Lake Erie and boat has never seen salt so I shouldn't have the flange issue but that is good to know. Any specific hose better than another? Thanks!

Handymans342

That was the hardest job I ever did. Trying to get the new hoses on the barbed fittings! WOW

Liberty44140

So how did you get the old off and new on, Handy?

PartsMan

Handy - are you talking about the water pick up hose in the drive. I just did that job and agree. That was the worst job I've ever done also! Never again. I don't like to pay someone to do something I can do myself, but I'll break out the check book for that.

@Liberty44140 - You should have no problem replacing the hose you are talking about. That will be an easy fix. 

Liberty44140

Thanks PM!

Black_Diamond

Use P-80 lubricant. Specially made for lubricating hoses to install. 

http://www.ipcol.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=2&cat=Lubricants

Liberty44140

Thx!

Liberty44140

Another quick question - even though I am not changing the raw water hose from the Bravo 3 coming in, the line will be "open" since I have to remove both hoses on the Y fitting that the B3 line comes in to. Will the Bravo 3 water intake hose let water in? Boat is in the water. 

PartsMan

I'm pretty sure thats below the water line .... so yes

Liberty44140

Gotcha. Will it be a gushing problem or will I just need to move quick?

LaRea

It will be gushing, but it's fine for 5-10 seconds at a time.  No need to panic.  Keep a rag handy so you can temporarily plug it in case something goes wrong.

Liberty44140

Happy that I did this. Took me about 90 min this morning. When I went to take the hose off and shook the hose with my hand the cracks in the hoses started bleeding water. Was an overheat waiting to happen! They came relatively easy with a lot of turning and bending and went back on fairly smooth with some shoving. I didn't use the P80 only because of the long ship time. Had petroleum jelly handy just in case but didn't need it use it. Water did come in at a Stedy flow but I either diverted it to the bilge, raised the hose above waterline or plugged the hose with a screwdriver handle. Thanks for all the good advice on this!

Handymans342

I had to cut with a razor knife and wire cutter, that was the easy part. After I finished with the new hoses I felt like i just finished 3 rounds with Ali. 

Black_Diamond

Never use petroleum jelly as a hose lubricant, it stays slippery. The P-80 is nice, liquid dish soap works well too. 

Liberty44140

Handy- pretty darn sore today! BD- noted, no petro jelly, glad I didn't use it.

Handymans342

I think I used a little WD40