Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

[First baybee]

Help!

I recently brought home a used 2005 Capri 175 BR and upon driving her home this past tuesday, stopped for fuel.
Upon gassing her up, the nozzle at the gas station kicked off but the gas tank regurgitated about a pint of gasoline all over the back of my boat.

Today I took this boat out for her maiden voyage and burned not quite half a tank of gas, so on the way home I decided to fill up again. This time I held the nozzle and fed the gas in slowly (with the nozzle down the spout) and again I wound up with about a pint of gas coming back out the filler spout all over the boat and my hand.

Is there a secret to putting gasoline safely into these boats? I'm growing tired of smelling like gasoline after mopping up the mess..

Advice appreciated!

 

[Rob454]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

I usually put the gas in 5 gallon gas cans ( I use the same gas cans motorcycle dirt riders use big square gas cans) and then fill it up at home.
If I go to the gas station I usually fill it up then stop after every 5 gallons or so. Sometimes the vents on the gas pumps arent working right. Also check and make sure your vent hose isnt kinked. that could cause the problem youre having. mine was so kinked up it woudl spill gas constantly until I fixed the vent hose
Rob

 

[First baybee]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

Thanks for your suggestion. I like both of them. I'll trace the vent hose and see if thats the cause first and as a fall back I will fill cans and top off the tank at home slowly.

What a mess.... Dangerous too....

Loved the boat today though. Except I roughed up the skeg and prop today in shallow waters, which was totally unexpected. I think I'll put a skeg protector on there and a planing wing too bolted right to the outdrive. Had the 3.0 up to 43 mph today with three on board. Fun little boat!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

Just don't squeeze the handle all the way and you should not have any probs. the tube is small than auto's. I did the same when we first got her, just ease up and fill her up.>>>Pat

 

[GHMJR]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

I have a 2007 175 and it does the same thing , i cant beleive the hose would be kinked it pretty much dumps right into the gas tank I spilled more than a couple ounces when I did it though.

 

[coreyva]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

If you go the way of using 5 gallon cans, these are great to siphon with. I've had one in my jeep for years. I picked mine up at pepboys.

 

[rondi]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

Guys, guys, this one is very simple.
The 175 on a trailer needs the rear jump seat cushions and seat backs removed or else they will blow away on the highway. When you fill up at the station and as you're pumping just look at the tank, it's clear plastic. Before it gets to the top stop pumping. No need to fill it to the brim.
Once I figured this out I have never spilled a drop on the transom again.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

You might also take a look at the thru hull vent. Mud dauber's, wasp's, etc. just love to build little nest's in there. Now that could also be a problem.
I know all of them should be screened but -------------.

 

[Ken_P]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

Guys, guys, this one is very simple.
The 175 on a trailer needs the rear jump seat cushions and seat backs removed or else they will blow away on the highway. When you fill up at the station and as you're pumping just look at the tank, it's clear plastic. Before it gets to the top stop pumping. No need to fill it to the brim.
Once I figured this out I have never spilled a drop on the transom again.

Had the same problem with my '06 trust me this tip works. Also you want to give some room for expansion if you are parking with the tank full. Otherwise it will expand and come out of the same vent...You might have bigger problems if you park in a garage with a heater / hot water heater.

 

[bbrnhart]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

Replace the vent fitting. The cheap zamac vents corrode on the inside and plug the vent. When you fill the tank and the vent is not working you're building up pressure in the tank untill it has no where to burp but out the fill spout. Replaced mine and I never had a problem again.

 

[Ken_P]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

Replace the vent fitting. The cheap zamac vents corrode on the inside and plug the vent. When you fill the tank and the vent is not working you're building up pressure in the tank untill it has no where to burp but out the fill spout. Replaced mine and I never had a problem again.

Even on a new boat. Mine had done this since day 1. It spit up on me twice before I realized I can pull the seat cover and monitor how much fuel I'm adding. I was kind of blown off at the dealer when I told them about the problem and the fumes in the garage around the back of the boat. I've found that if I don't fill it to the top, the boat does not vent as bad in the garage.


-BTW what brand of vent did you replace it with? Do you have a part number?

 

[bbrnhart]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

I actually did not replace mine. I took the screen out. Stick a scewdriver in it and tear it out. The screen plugs with the slightest corrosion.

 

[Wotam]

Re: Refilling Fuel spillage problem advice?

I have faced the same problem on my 195 classic. The 'burp' is caused by the fact that they mounted both the filler and vent on the 'low side' (aft) end of the tank. (convenient for the mfg, but causes problems)

If the boat is sitting slightly bow-up a trapped air bubble will form in the front of the tank when the fuel reaches the level of the filler/vent fittings... it compresses slightly, then belches gas. If you listen carefully to the sound of the fuel going in the tank you will hear a distinct 'gurgle' when the vent level is reached. Stop fueling immediately when you hear it!

When fueling on the lake, I have the passengers sit in the front of the boat, this puts the vent and filler on the 'uphill' side and the tank fills pretty nicely... and completely. I still keep a rag handy though, cupped under the filler opening... and listen carefully so I can hear when the fuel starts to come up the filler hose.

What attitude is the boat sitting when it's 'on the hitch'? If you are 'bow high' you may have bigger fueling problems... adjusting the attitude (with a drop hitch) of the trailer so the boat sits level may help.