I need to know the procedure for replacing the fuel line from tank to carb on my old blue homelite Xl12

You should have 2 lined coming from tank. A return and feed. Normally the return is the lowest positioned outlet on the carb, and the feed is at the top. When pumping the purge bulb take the gas cap off tank, and you should see fuel being returned to the tank from the return line. If not, switch the lines on carb. If still not returning fuel to the tank, you will need to pull the carb and inspect the metering and fuel pump diaphrams.

Remove fuel lines at Carb. Blow carburetor cleaner through lines into tank. Spray carb. 1/4 cup carb cleaner into tank shake thoroughly pour out and repeat until clean. Blow out fuel lines into tank with compressed air and blow out tank with compressed air.

Pull lines from tank making sure where each goes to carb. Rinse tank out with carb. Cleaner then blow out with compressed air. Cut hoses to proper length as old ones but allow 1 extra inch. With this inch cut with scissors making a tapered end, drop oil on holes in tank to lube as you thread line into holes twist and turn hose into tank until you can get to ends of hose with needle nose pliers and then pull hose until you can cut of taper and install fuel filter in correct hose.

hello sir,routing fuel line for craftsman,homelite,ryobi,hedge and line trimmers,fuel tank under engine, looking at machine from rear, shall fuel line on left with filter attached goes to bottom port of carb, fuel line from right side coming out of tank with inside tip attached goes to bottom port of primmer bulb,top line on primmer bulb goes to top port of carb, fuel tank under engine,fuel line routing,looking at machine from left side, left fuel line coming out of tank(drain back only) goes to right side small port of primmer bulb, left side larger fuel line from primmer bulb to top port of carb, fuel line coming out of tank (larger line) on the right side with filter attached goes to bottom port of carb, when replacing fuel line it is very important to use the same ID and OD line the homelite takes a special line that is black in color and a bigger size,the bigger line is ID .08-OD140 small line ID3/32 X 3/16.when the lines dissolve small pieces will get in the carb clogging small passages and screen,it is advisable that you clean out carb,and use a new filter.hope this helps,any comments welcome,thank you. if the filter has broken off of the line half way that is where you will run out of fuel, ``

hello sir,routing fuel line for craftsman,homelite,ryobi,hedge and line trimmers,fuel tank under engine, looking at machine from rear, shall fuel line on left with filter attached goes to bottom port of carb, fuel line from right side coming out of tank with inside tip attached goes to bottom port of primmer bulb,top line on primmer bulb goes to top port of carb, fuel tank under engine,fuel line routing,looking at machine from left side, left fuel line coming out of tank(drain back only) goes to right side small port of primmer bulb, left side larger fuel line from primmer bulb to top port of carb, fuel line coming out of tank (larger line) on the right side with filter attached goes to bottom port of carb, when replacing fuel line it is very important to use the same ID and OD line the homelite takes a special line that is black in color and a bigger size,the bigger line is ID .08-OD140 small line ID3/32 X 3/16.when the lines dissolve small pieces will get in the carb clogging small passages and screen,it is advisable that you clean out carb,and use a new filter.hope this helps,any comments welcome,thank you. if the filter has broken off of the line half way that is where you will run out of fuel, ``

hello sir,routing fuel line for craftsman,homelite,ryobi,hedge and line trimmers,fuel tank under engine, looking at machine from rear, shall fuel line on left with filter attached goes to bottom port of carb, fuel line from right side coming out of tank with inside tip attached goes to bottom port of primmer bulb,top line on primmer bulb goes to top port of carb, fuel tank under engine,fuel line routing,looking at machine from left side, left fuel line coming out of tank(drain back only) goes to right side small port of primmer bulb, left side larger fuel line from primmer bulb to top port of carb, fuel line coming out of tank (larger line) on the right side with filter attached goes to bottom port of carb, when replacing fuel line it is very important to use the same ID and OD line the homelite takes a special line that is black in color and a bigger size,the bigger line is ID .08-OD140 small line ID3/32 X 3/16.when the lines dissolve small pieces will get in the carb clogging small passages and screen,it is advisable that you clean out carb,and use a new filter.hope this helps,any comments welcome,thank you. if the filter has broken off of the line half way that is where you will run out of fuel, ``

hello sir,routing fuel line for craftsman,homelite,ryobi,hedge and line trimmers,fuel tank under engine, looking at machine from rear, shall fuel line on left with filter attached goes to bottom port of carb, fuel line from right side coming out of tank with inside tip attached goes to bottom port of primmer bulb,top line on primmer bulb goes to top port of carb, fuel tank under engine,fuel line routing,looking at machine from left side, left fuel line coming out of tank(drain back only) goes to right side small port of primmer bulb, left side larger fuel line from primmer bulb to top port of carb, fuel line coming out of tank (larger line) on the right side with filter attached goes to bottom port of carb, when replacing fuel line it is very important to use the same ID and OD line the homelite takes a special line that is black in color and a bigger size,the bigger line is ID .08-OD140 small line ID3/32 X 3/16.when the lines dissolve small pieces will get in the carb clogging small passages and screen,it is advisable that you clean out carb,and use a new filter.hope this helps,any comments welcome,thank you. if the filter has broken off of the line half way that is where you will run out of fuel, hh

It maybe sounds like you need to replace the fuel lines with some of the new "Tygon" lines which are more ethanol resistant. Check in the fuel tank for the condition of the fuel filter and fuel line that hook onto itl
Cracked and/or old deterioted fuel lines will leak air, causing loss of prime. Sometimes as they deteriorate, remnants of them end up in the fine mesh fuel strainer screen on the fuel pump side of the carb, restricting fuel flow inside the carb and causing your problem. Take off the cover to the carb that doesn't have the vent-hole in it's top. That is the fuel pump side...look at the carb body under the fuel pump diaghram and you will see the round fine-mesh fuel strainer; It is press into place in the carb body but can be removed with a fine, sharp object. Check there and maybe go to the small engine parts shop and ask for about a foot of each of the 2 diameter fuel lines you will be replacing.
A carburetor diaghram kit or rebuild kit may be needed also and there are many for sale on Ebay....you need to know your carb model though.

Turn both screws CW to stops (lightly), then back out each CCW 1-1/2 turns. This should get the engine running if it will. If it does not, check the lower diaphragm on the carburetor for hardness or cracking. You appear to be running on prime only--the carburetor doesn't seem to be pumping in fresh fuel. You may need to do a carburetor clean and re-kit. Check the fuel line condition and the fuel filter in the tank for plugging. Make sure the muffler and air cleaner are not plugged. Once you get the engine to continue running, warm the engine up. Open the throttle and adjust the H needle CW--the engine should start to speed up, but still 4-stroking. The proper setting is 4-stroking, but immediately 2-stroke when cutting. Release the throttle and adjust L needle CW so that the engine runs fairly smoothly, yet will allow the engine to 'follow the throttle'. Set idle speed screw so that the chain stops turning, but the engine continues to run. Hope this helps!

You will need to disassemble the carburetor and spray with carb.cleaner. Make sure the small screen in the carb. is free of debris. Usea Den Tek Brush, (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=165357&catid=1152), to clean the small portals in carb. Reassemble and start.

(NOTE: If the cleaning doesn't work, then buy a carb. kit and replace all appropriate parts.)

If you need further assistance, just let me know.

Jim