Hose clamps vs hose ties

Fuel lines, vac hoses, etc. Any reason to use one over the other?

For those not familiar with the ties its like below, where it has the different rounded head on it to apply pressure evenly. New tech to me, neat stuff.

I’ve been using the ties I get from the local marine shop, and feel like they do a good enough job. But when it came to the fuel line from tank I used the clamps and felt those applied better pressure. The ties you have to pinch tight with some pliers as much as you can, and even then is it tight enough?

Going forward with outboard work curious to what’s the best.

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About the only thing I use ties on is a wiring harnesses and maybe a vacuum hose but that’s about all. Hose clamps always work and there’s no tow trucks out on the water, its best to do it right the first time, especially when its on boats. Definitely not a good choice on fuel lines. If in question you can always see if the connections still tight with a screwdriver, a tie you can’t tighten them after their clipped.

mossydan wrote:

Definitely not a good choice on fuel lines.

Why do many motors come from the factory with these if they are not a good choice? Does the motor manufacturer want their customers to have problems?

I suspect you are confusing the fuel line ties with electrical ties used for bundling electric wires and such. The mold for a common wire tie is designed different than the mold for a fuel line tie. Fuel line ties are molded and designed for clamping a hose and having no leakage. A fuel line tie will make 100 percent contact with the hose, where an common electric wire tie will not.
Using an “electrical wire” tie on a fuel line connection is NOT and never has been a good choice.

nhamm wrote:

The ties you have to pinch tight with some pliers as much as you can, and even then is it tight enough?

Although pliers are often used, one does not need to use pliers, they make a specific tool for tightening these ties.

Here’s my take Dave after turning a screwdriver for many years and I repair boat motors. If it takes a special tool I think that most guys won’t buy it considering the simplicity of using a screwdriver and a hose clamp.

The factory help puts those clamps on at many a day so their on right unlike a person who tries to repair a motor themselves. The picture he shows in his post looks like a cinch tie I use to hold the wires in a wiring harness, which in my opinion is not a good choice for a fuel line, even with the rounded seat to conform with the diameter of the hose. Boat motors catch fire because of fuel leaks and a person has to admit that a hose clamp will tighten more easily without fault, and securely then a cinch tie, rounded seat on the tie or not, if installed right its ok but more mistakes can be made then a hose clamp. A vacuum line its ok if they pull it tight because there’s no danger in a vacuum leak except performance. Fuel beings its as thin as it is will leak through that seal easier then a hose clamp because its under pressure, even if its gravity flow there’s still more of a possibility of a leak. A secure joint is a must on a fuel line, especially if its being done by a person who has minimal experience and trying to learn to do his own work.

After the boat is in the water and bouncing around how much reliability is in that joint if its semi tight unlike a hose clamp, or any clamp if its not on right. The motor vibrates, a boat bounces, jars from hitting the shore or dock, its just better and more reliable and mistake free using a hose clamp, how much are they? 50 cents compared to safety and 3 cents for a cinch tie… use a hose clamp.

Dan,
I don’t doubt you been wrenching for many years. I’m sure you have seen first hand the many improvements in making a secure connection between a hose and an end fitting.
Years ago, hand tightened screw driven clamps were the “standard”. Now days, many many hoses, used in many many different applications are held together with everything but a screw driven hose clamp.

Two reasons for those changes, costs AND reliability. One cannot deny that cost is a major reason. One cannot also deny the reliability factor. Back in the late 50’s when I started messing with mechanical issues, it was very common to see fluids leaking, seeping from from gasoline engines. Every garage and parking lot had a grease spot under every vehicle. Mechanics were kept busy tightening all those hose clamps.

Now days I pop the hood on my boat motor and it is cleaner inside than the hand that is holding my sandwich. :>) It is cleaner because there are no leaking old school hose clamps. :>) :>)

I know I won’t change your mind and that is OK. Difference of opinion is what eventually makes a better mouse trap. Have a nice day (and keep that screwdriver handy).

I was told by my mechanic a few years ago not to use the worm screw type of clamps on lines less than 2″……They don’t apply the pressure evenly around…. Either use the marine type metal clamp or the new plastic ones……

I wasn’t poking at anyone and knowing that a lot of readers read these posts I gave my best advice on a secure connection involving fuel. A fuel line is about 1/4 to 3/8ths on the inside dia. and a small hose clamp is perfect for that size, vacuum hoses is a different story and a cinch tie could be used there especially because it a vacuum. I know cinch ties work but I also know small hose clamps work too and that’s what I have on my fuel connections and they never leak. I know their both acceptable applications but I feel and know inexperienced hands will make a better connection with a hose clamp. Maybe I’m wrong but I feel its comparing apples to oranges.

mossydan wrote:

but I feel and know inexperienced hands will make a better connection with a hose clamp

Dan,
I’m not sure this is entirely true. I’ve seen clamps too big for the hose size, too small for the hose size, clamps grossly over-tightened, crushing and cutting into the hose. I’ve hardly ever seen a screw type clamp used as OEM on a modern day engine.

The type of tie shown by nhamm in the original post is DESIGNED for hoses. Designed to make 100 % contact with the hose to create a LEAKPROOF connection.

I’ve been aboard boats on three separate occasions where fires have occurred. All of these fires started in the engine compartment. If I thought the average guy was incapable of installing a “hose cinch tie” on a fuel hose and making a leak proof connection, I would not recommend one.

The engine makers are all about making the production line idiot proof and 100% error free. They don’t want to rely on “skilled” labor. One reason they use these hose cinches, is because it does not take much skill to properly install one and have a leak proof connection.

I guess the best recommendation I can give is; When replacing clamps, replace with the same size and style as OEM parts.

Ya I know what your saying Dave and no hard feelings but I’ll stay old school for now.

Dan,
Fair enough, no hard feelings on my end either. Just good honest discussion.

Good discussion that I appreciate fellas!

I have worked with zip-tyes since the early seventies.

There are two reasons why OEMs use tyes.
They are inexpensive and the skill is in the installation tool.

The tool sets the correct tension for the tye and the task.

The first tool that I owned was almost $200 in 1973.
It tensioned and cut the tye all in one step.

A plies installed tye is typically installed incorrectly and it leaves a sharp end where the tail is cut off.

That sharp end is dangerous.

If you are going to use tyes buy the tool.

http://www.amazon.com/Eastwood-Professional-Cable-Wire-Tie/dp/B006ISG5M0

This is very similar to the one I still own.