Johnson 6hp Gas Tank Question

[99cyclone]

I have a 1987 6hp Johnson for my boat. The previous owner included a fuel tank with the engine, but the tank is a 6 gal steel Cruise-a-day tank.

I thought these pressurized Cruise-a-day tanks were only used for the older (1950s?) engines. Should I be running with this tank, or should I get a more modern ventilated plastic tank?

I have run the engine a couple times with this tank with no real issues. The maiden voyage had some symptoms that could be like fuel starvation, but it could have also just been old gas (first trip out for the year). Didn't have any running problems the second time out, although it was a short trip.

 

[F_R]

Re: Johnson 6hp Gas Tank Question

I have a 1987 6hp Johnson for my boat. The previous owner included a fuel tank with the engine, but the tank is a 6 gal steel Cruise-a-day tank.

I thought these pressurized Cruise-a-day tanks were only used for the older (1950s?) engines. Should I be running with this tank, or should I get a more modern ventilated plastic tank?

I have run the engine a couple times with this tank with no real issues. The maiden voyage had some symptoms that could be like fuel starvation, but it could have also just been old gas (first trip out for the year). Didn't have any running problems the second time out, although it was a short trip.

How did you connect it to the motor? Nevermind, you are correct, the twin hose presurized tanks were used before 1959. On the other hand, they are worth several times what a newer one is. Sell it and get the right one.

 

[99cyclone]

Re: Johnson 6hp Gas Tank Question

The steel tank had the correct fuel hose fitting to connect to the motor.

What's strange is, when I open the fuel cap on the tank there is a burst of air. I can't really tell if it is pressurized air rushing out, or air rushing in because of a built up vacuum. My 1987 engine should not be cabable of pressurizing the tank, should it? Most likely vacuum???

 

[F_R]

Re: Johnson 6hp Gas Tank Question

The steel tank had the correct fuel hose fitting to connect to the motor.

What's strange is, when I open the fuel cap on the tank there is a burst of air. I can't really tell if it is pressurized air rushing out, or air rushing in because of a built up vacuum. My 1987 engine should not be cabable of pressurizing the tank, should it? Most likely vacuum???

The old pressure tanks have a twin hose, one for fuel & one for air. Or, at least that's what they are supposed to have. At the least, it will have two hose fittings at the tank to clamp the hose to.

The newer steel OEM tanks have a one-way automatic vent. Air can enter the tank to replace the fuel drawn out, but can't blow back out. This is to prevent gas from slopping out the vent. So, the result is that it can and will build up pressure from sitting in the sun or just sloshing it around.