Fuel venting?

[gpfishingdude]

After we loaded the boat on the trailer the last time I noticed that the 12 gallon fuel tank was puffed up like a buttermilk biscuit. I loosened the cap and a lot of air escaped. So I was wondering if it is affecting the way the motor gets fuel. I thought that little plastic thumb screw like thing in the middle of the gas cap was the vent screw. This is a Moeller 12 gallon tank that I bought last year. Is this some kind of one way vent where air can get in but can't escape or isn't it venting right at all?

 

[JB]

Re: Fuel venting?

The vent wasn't working, Dude. It must be loosened all the way. It allows air in or out.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Fuel venting?

Thanks JB! It got cold last night and warmed up today so when I went out to check the tank it was all puffed up like a big red cheese curl and this was with the vent screw all the way open. It didn't seem to matter if the screw was all the way open or just about all the way it still wasn't venting properly. I had to loosen the cap for the fumes to escape with a hiss. So I removed an orange piece of rubber that was stuck over the bottom of the vent and we will try it again soon.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Fuel venting?

I don't know if it is still a legal vent but it is a working vent now. I have checked it several times now and the tank is venting properly now, at least it isn't puffed up any more.

 

[JB]

Re: Fuel venting?

That piece of plastic must have been there to turn the vent into a one-way valve to prevent fuel from leaking out. It probably wasn't a good idea.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Fuel venting?

I was hoping that fixing the venting problem would take care of my fuel problems but the last time out after idling for quite awhile the fuel line lost it's prime and I had to squeeze the bulb again to get it to run so I could load the boat onto the trailer.