Gas can problem

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unclejoe411

Cadet
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
9
I smelled gas in my garage and after looking for the source found out it was the gas can in the boat leaking from the top where the hose gets connected. So I opened the went to relieve the pressure but I have always been under impression the venting makes the gas get older faster. Is that true?
 
5150abf

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Gas can problme

Re: Gas can problme

Gas expends and contracts quite alot so you need to leave the vent open expecially in the summer when you have a large temp swing.

The gas may age a bit faster with the vent open but if you use your boat at all you will burn the gas long before it has a chance to go bad, untreated gas can sit for months and still be fine, my mower has the same gas in April as it had in Sept when I put it away and it runs fine.

Also blowing up your boat is alot worse than maybe having gas go bad so leave the vent open, my vent is always open and I have never had a problem.
 
W

whistler66

Seaman
Joined
Nov 27, 2008
Messages
52
Re: Gas can problme

Re: Gas can problme

My boats sit outside so to keep rainwater out of the tank I used to shut off the vent. I walked by and have had them literally swelled up like a football and other times I've have had them 1/3 collapsed.I decided I needed to do something different. I now leave the vent barely cracked just enough for the container to breath. Then put something over the vent to prevent any rainwater from entering. I'm not saying that this is the perfect answer but that's about the only solution I've got.
 
Fireman431

Fireman431

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
4,292
Re: Gas can problme

Re: Gas can problme

From a 25 year firefighter:...Please do not vent your gas can in the garage. Fumes leaking into the house find oven/stove/water heater pilot lights, fireplaces, and errant cigarettes. I can't tell you how many garage and house fires i have been on because someone stored a vented gas can in the garage.

Remove it from the boat and store it covered/vented outside. If you absolutely have to have it in the garage, make sure the garage is ventilated and store the can nearest to a walk door or window.
 
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