Fuel Venting??

[knoell3]

I have two 6 gallon plastic fuel tanks and noticed I kept smelling gas while the boat was parked in the garage. I found that I had both the fuel vents in the caps screwed in tightly and pressure had built up and was forcing fuel out of the connector that connects the fuel line to the tank. Not much, but a little IMO is too much. Question is: should you have these vents open when running the motor? I think it's obvious they should be open when it's sitting to avoid pressure build up. If I have them closed while running I am thinking I will get a vapor lock.

Thanks.

 

[arks]

Re: Fuel Venting??

Yes, they should be open when running.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel Venting??

You are supposed to keep the vents closed when in storage, however, the tanks and fuel hoses are supposed to not leak under normal tank pressure build up. Since yours leak a bit, I would leave the vents open a bit when in storage. Open the one you are using fully, when running the boat.

 

[82mustang]

Re: Fuel Venting??

If its right or not, I leave the vents open when in storage for the past couple years because of the problem you described. The tanks are typically stored in the garage, however, I do leave my boat out in the rain (if its already in the water since I launch it days I want to use it, and pull it out every night) and I will close the vents when it rains if not in the garage. I do completely drain the tanks for the winter and rinse them out before first use, so Im figuring whatever water and condensation that would be in the tank, would be minor and not an issue. Hasn't been so far atleast.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Fuel Venting??

I hate those plastic tanks. They are just cheep chincy junk. If you leave the vents closed and it gets cold the tanks collapse inward. That can't be good! If it gets hot, they leak out the fittings.

Just throw them away and replace them with metal OMC tanks with the self venting caps. If you don't have an OMC motor, just replace the connector.

My three metal tanks are 58, 40 and 26 years old. The only issue I ever had was needing to replace the gauge floats due to deterioration from ethanol in the gas. I retired the 1970 model last summer and replaced it with a plastic tank, only because I bought a new boat and wanted the tank to look "nice". Half way thru the season I repainted the old metal tank, put on some new decals, and threw the plastic tank in the garbage.

 

[knoell3]

Re: Fuel Venting??

Thanks all for the replies.

Chris

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fuel Venting??

Even the metal tanks, leave the cap loose. I only tighten them down when transporting. I agree about the plastic ones, except they don't rust so bad, and you can afford to replace them.