After finally getting my annual condition inspection done and signed off, I was ready to go fly for the first time in three months.

Oh so I thought.

After attempting to getting the engine started and trying to keep it running, I smelled gas. Getting out of the cockpit I saw a puddle of gas under the cowling with more dripping out.

Removing the cowling and turning on the fuel pump I saw streams of fuel spouting out the middle of the beautiful stainless steel flex covered fuel line hose.

Going through invoices that came with the RV-3B made by Russel, I found an invoice from 2003 from ANPlumbing for various sizes of hose and Earl's fittings. I assume the AN6 hoses came out of the 15 feet he ordered of part number 400060:
http://www.anplumbing.com/search/index?search_text=400040&yt0.x=15&yt0.y=20

Looking up Perform-O-Flex Hose, I found this reassuring note:
"Installation Notes
Fuel manufacturers may have added any number of new unpublished additives to their blends. It is therefore difficult to know how the tube compound used in the inner liner of our Perform–O–Flex or any other brand of elastomeric hose will react with a specific fuel. Because of the unknowns described above, we are unable to guarantee that the hose listed is the best possible product to use with any specific fuel. If in doubt use teflon lined hose. Not to be used with brake fluid."
http://www.holley.com/406006ERL.asp

Looks like my hoses may be yet another casualty of the ethanol fiasco.

If any of you have done research into this, and can recommend hoses that are designed to be used with Earl's Auto-Fit hose ends, please do let me know.

Finn