Trouble filling gas tank

[jennis9]

Having trouble filling the gas tank in our boat. 21' Starcraft openbow. The gas will go in then backup. We have to fill it very slowly.

We have blown out the air vent with canned air and have used a bottle cleaner on the neck of the tank. If there was as spider web in the first few feet, we would have cleared it.

Any ideas?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

Is this a new problem?

There isn't any magic bullet. You need to take the vent and fuel fill inspection a step or 2 farther. You don't say how old your boat is, but if it's 15 or more years old the fill/vent hoses are coming due for replacement anyway.

My .02

 

[Thad]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

What do you mean by "canned air"? You need an air comperssor to achieve any "real" blow out. It sounds as if the vent is still obstructed.

The only other thing I can think of would be to try and find a station with a lower pressure gas line. Or do not try to fill it at full speed.

How long have you had the boat? Do you know if this has been an issue from the get go?

It just came to me. Another thing that it could be. My tank has a screen where the fill line fits the tank. If yours does, maybe it is plugged up with debris. There should be an access hatch under the enging hatch or bench seat. Would be worth looking into.

 

[cshyde]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

Worn hoses will eventually collapse. If your boat is pre-E10 Ethanol fuel and you have been using ethanol laced fuel the chances are that the ethanol had caused the hose to collapse. Also the tank may have shifted and is pinching one of the hoses. No matter what an inspection is needed. Open the access ports and look at the hoses and just replace them with new. What you don't want to have happen is a hose open up and leak while you are filling the tank. Obviously dangerous.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

I bought a new boat last year and had similar problems immediately. It will fill normally but then gas will backup prior to the tank being full. Others told me a good trick, which is to pull the gas nozzle out of the filler tube every now and then to let the tank breath and little better. The gas settles down and now I don't get gas coming out of the filler neck.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

Thanks to all replies... answers are:

-- the boat is a 1985 Starcraft SuperSport
-- Yes, this is a new problem - we have been filling the tank VERY slowly
-- canned air was what one of the mechanics recommended, we did not use a compressor (but that is a good idea)
-- tank screen should be inspected and has not been prior to this posting

This is a new problem. Planning on opening the hatch and getting a better inspection. Luckily - it is an openbow and the tank is in the center of the deck.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

-- canned air was what one of the mechanics recommended, we did not use a compressor (but that is a good idea)

A compressor is NOT a good idea. The reason people use canned air is that you don't get static. Air from an air hose on a compressor can cause static discharges - which can make a big boom

 

[jennis9]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

I prefer to remain in one piece - we'll be staying away from the compressor

 

[seabob4]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

Your vent hose should run to the vent fitting with a loop that goes upwards then comes back down to the vent. Vent hose is typically soft walled, and as it ages, this loop can "collapse", causing a kink in the vent line.

You should have an inspection pie at the fuel fill. Remove it, find the vent line and trace its routing with your hand. You may find it is kinked...

 

[Thad]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

A compressor is NOT a good idea. The reason people use canned air is that you don't get static. Air from an air hose on a compressor can cause static discharges - which can make a big boom

Learn something new everyday. This one goes in the "things to remember" part of my head.:redface:

 

[j_martin]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

Your vent hose should run to the vent fitting with a loop that goes upwards then comes back down to the vent. Vent hose is typically soft walled, and as it ages, this loop can "collapse", causing a kink in the vent line.

You should have an inspection pie at the fuel fill. Remove it, find the vent line and trace its routing with your hand. You may find it is kinked...

A better idea is to route it straight as you can and install a fuel/air separator.

My bass boat burped on filling, and spilled fuel from the vent. This Parker Lg50 fixed it all. It comes with an additional right angle end for tight installs.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

The loop is designed to keep the gas from running uphill. All builders do it, in fact, if I'm not mistaken, it's required by ABYC/NMMA...

 

[jennis9]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

I believe my father calls this the 'drip loop' -- makes sense

 

[j_martin]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

The loop is designed to keep the gas from running uphill. All builders do it, in fact, if I'm not mistaken, it's required by ABYC/NMMA...

The float valve in the lg50 does the same thing more reliably, and at the same time reduces vent back pressure (unless it's trying to flood) to 0. It works very well and has reduced my fuel contamination and loss to environment (except through the old smokey motor) to 0)

 

[Stachi]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

The float valve in the lg50 does the same thing more reliably, and at the same time reduces vent back pressure (unless it's trying to flood) to 0. It works very well and has reduced my fuel contamination and loss to environment (except through the old smokey motor) to 0)

do you have a link for it ? Sounds like a good investment to me..

 

[j_martin]

Re: Trouble filling gas tank

Here's the link to parker. I couldn't find one on Iboats, but other marine suppliers have them.

http://www.parker.com/portal/site/P...FUEL/AIR SEPARATOR&Wtky=FUEL+/+AIR+SEPARATORS