Carver Owners Forum

I tried to make up a flush port so I could winterize my engine. The hose is 1-1/4 ID with wire. I used standard plumbing fittings. The standard barb fitting has an OD over 1-3/16. The 1” fitting is too small. What am I doing wrong. There is no way to get the fitting into the hose even with heat to soften the rubber.

A 1-1/4" fitting should fit though it might be tight going on but that's a good thing. Try a little liquid soap.

I just went thru the exact same thing installing flush fittings.......it was very difficult and took some working as the wire hose is not very friendly especially if it is older hose. Used dish soap and still a struggle but got it, didn't try my pipe expander but looking back I probably should have gone home and got it, not sure it would have worked with the wire though......

I find with wire wound hose that it goes on much easier if you wiggle the hose and turn it at the same time. The problem with wire wound is that it doesn't expand that easily even with heat but it helps, and it will actually grip the fitting harder if you turn it the wrong way while putting it on. This is where liquid soap helps.

Jimhanley01 wrote:Source of the post I tried to make up a flush port so I could winterize my engine. The hose is 1-1/4 ID with wire. I used standard plumbing fittings. The standard barb fitting has an OD over 1-3/16. The 1” fitting is too small. What am I doing wrong. There is no way to get the fitting into the hose even with heat to soften the rubber.

What type of fittings are you trying when you say standard plumbing fittings ? Bronze or plastic ? That could be the problem here.