don't forget to vent the tank

[mrfixitman40]

Yesterday was a gorgeous day out on the lake pretty empty all morning pulled the kids on the tubes and next thing i know my phone rings ,my brother. His motor wouldn't run met him on the water tied off wouldn't crank finally got it started no big deal bad connection. went and was running around he would lead then i would lead just going to coves letting the kids swim then it started getting busier and we went looking for a secluded spot, not wanting the kids in the main stream of traffic his boat stalls going across the water it will restart and idle but wouldn't throttle up .I start checking at the motor first and find no fuel at the pump squeezed the ball a few times it gets firm and away it goes 20 feet away just as i get out of the no wake zone it dies again . checked and once again no fuel . Thinking to myself ok now i am gonna be putting a fuel pump on his and waisting more time i could be enjoying the family I looked and the plastic tank is sucked in I loosen the vent on top and away it goes. made me feel like a fool but just thought maybe it could help someone someday .:redface:

 

[Boomyal]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

Well don't feel so bad Mr fixit. You weren't the first and won't be the last to fail to open the vent or put in the plug. Glad you discovered it tho!

 

[i386]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

I've done the same, though I figured it out in 5 minutes. Mine will run about an hour before it stops working.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

My favorite one that always reminds me that I really do only have one brain cell, (if I ever get cocky n' actually think I'm smart fer a nano second or two), n' the ol' cell does nap from time to time ta boot. Me Bro came to RR island this weekend, n' more then once I tried to start one of me ol' 25 hp pull start boat anchors, (I have more then one of 'em), hate ta swim ta me island if I can't get one started. Actually: they all start real good fer boat anchors. That said, one must wonder why some idiot with one napin' brain cell keeps repeatedly pullin' the cord n' tryin' ta start a motor that starts with one pull with the ol' kill switch off!!! :redface: JR

 

[QC]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

I left the vent open on a little 3 Gallon tank because it was getting pumped up like a balloon by the heat . . . After a couple of weeks the whole dang thing was empty and the new paint I had put in my little Aluminum boat was peeling up wherever it puddled . . .

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

wow i thought i was the only one that could have overlooked something that stupid ,now i don't feel to bad about it. i definately learned my lesson. you guys are great . I was expecting everyone to be rolling and laughing at the newbie.

 

[Scoop]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

Yeah we all do it. I had the opposite problem. My motor is a 1957 and uses a pressure tank. I launched took myself out on the lake with the trolling motor to let other people use the ramp faster.

I pulled and pulled and could not get it started. I called my wife to bring the tools. I beached it and went down the checklist again. Opps, forgot to tighten the cap.

I tightened the cap and it started first pull.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

That's quite funny. I've done that before. The engine was acting funny. I didn't notice the tank sucked in but I went to check the gas and unscrewed the top to about have my hand sucked into the hole. Ah, problem solved.

 

[ndfool]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

I did that on my first trip out in my boat a couple of weeks ago, did not open the vent. It ran fine for the 2 1/2 days I was out on the lake. Well I waiting for my wife to back down the ramp with the trailer, it died and would not start. Had to use the oar to get to the ramp.

Figured it out when I got home and started to clean the boat out. The tank was all sucked in. Don't think I will repeat that one anytime soon.

 

[edjunior]

Re: don't forget to vent the tank

Well, mine never died, and always started right up for the day, but I moved my tackle box out of the way to see the sides caved in all the way around my little 6 gallon tank! Gave myself a DOH!!!!