toneeees
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As of January 1, 2011, the EPA requires that all new portable marine fuel tanks follow a zero-emissions policy. To meet these new standards and regulations, fuel tanks can no longer be built as an "open" fuel system. Prior to the change, fuel tanks were manufactured with a fuel filler cap that vented and released gas vapor into the atmosphere. Now that portable fuel tanks must be fully sealed, the gas vapor is unable to vent and has nowhere to escape except to your engine through the fuel line. This builds up pressure within the fuel tank, and puts your engine at risk of flooding.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]If you purchased a portable marine fuel tank that was built in 2011, it is likely a closed system and was manufactured to follow these regulations. However, the EPA is allowing all manufacturers and retailers to sell their remaining inventories of open portable fuel tanks. This means that even though you may have bought a portable fuel tank in 2011, it doesn't necessarily follow the new EPA regulations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]If your portable fuel tank expands and contracts noticeably with changes in temperature, it is likely that you have a closed fuel system, and the pressure within the system may result in flooding your engine. Opening and closing the fuel tank filler cap releases pressure when refueling, but if you don't refuel regularly, there is more risk of pressure building up in your tank and flooding the engine. It's always a good practice to relieve pressure from your fuel tank prior to attaching it to your engine. That helps reduce the chance of any fuel spraying or dripping from the connector as you attach it to the engine.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Fortunately, at least one manufacturer has developed a product to help protect engines from fuel being forced in to the system causing flooding. New from Attwood is their Fuel Demand Valve (FVD). The FDV installs onto the fuel hose between the fuel tank and primer bulb, and prevents fuel from flowing unless there is demand from the engine. This eliminates excess fuel that would otherwise be forced through the fuel line due to pressure in the tank, and avoids the related flooding and engine failure.[/FONT]
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The EPA-certified Attwood Fuel Demand Valve is compatible with all new fuel tanks, no matter the brand. The FDVs are available both individually and as part of Attwood's fuel line assembly, which includes EPA-compliant hose, primer bulb, and the newUniversal Sprayless Connector.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]With proper usage of the new closed fuel tanks, not only are you helping your boat run smoothly and helping the environment, you are keeping the fuel where it belongs: in the tank. No one wants to deal with the headache or money loss of a flooded engine. By understanding how the new EPA regulations affect your fuel tank's performance, you can take the necessary steps to keep your engine working properly.[/FONT]
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Article courtesy of Attwood Marine. For additional information on Attwood, visithttp://www.attwoodmarine.com. [/FONT]
As of January 1, 2011, the EPA requires that all new portable marine fuel tanks follow a zero-emissions policy. To meet these new standards and regulations, fuel tanks can no longer be built as an "open" fuel system. Prior to the change, fuel tanks were manufactured with a fuel filler cap that vented and released gas vapor into the atmosphere. Now that portable fuel tanks must be fully sealed, the gas vapor is unable to vent and has nowhere to escape except to your engine through the fuel line. This builds up pressure within the fuel tank, and puts your engine at risk of flooding.[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]If you purchased a portable marine fuel tank that was built in 2011, it is likely a closed system and was manufactured to follow these regulations. However, the EPA is allowing all manufacturers and retailers to sell their remaining inventories of open portable fuel tanks. This means that even though you may have bought a portable fuel tank in 2011, it doesn't necessarily follow the new EPA regulations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]If your portable fuel tank expands and contracts noticeably with changes in temperature, it is likely that you have a closed fuel system, and the pressure within the system may result in flooding your engine. Opening and closing the fuel tank filler cap releases pressure when refueling, but if you don't refuel regularly, there is more risk of pressure building up in your tank and flooding the engine. It's always a good practice to relieve pressure from your fuel tank prior to attaching it to your engine. That helps reduce the chance of any fuel spraying or dripping from the connector as you attach it to the engine.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Fortunately, at least one manufacturer has developed a product to help protect engines from fuel being forced in to the system causing flooding. New from Attwood is their Fuel Demand Valve (FVD). The FDV installs onto the fuel hose between the fuel tank and primer bulb, and prevents fuel from flowing unless there is demand from the engine. This eliminates excess fuel that would otherwise be forced through the fuel line due to pressure in the tank, and avoids the related flooding and engine failure.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
The EPA-certified Attwood Fuel Demand Valve is compatible with all new fuel tanks, no matter the brand. The FDVs are available both individually and as part of Attwood's fuel line assembly, which includes EPA-compliant hose, primer bulb, and the newUniversal Sprayless Connector.[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]With proper usage of the new closed fuel tanks, not only are you helping your boat run smoothly and helping the environment, you are keeping the fuel where it belongs: in the tank. No one wants to deal with the headache or money loss of a flooded engine. By understanding how the new EPA regulations affect your fuel tank's performance, you can take the necessary steps to keep your engine working properly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
Article courtesy of Attwood Marine. For additional information on Attwood, visithttp://www.attwoodmarine.com. [/FONT]