I'm glad to see this problem being addressed, although I most sympathize with others. Water in fuel has been a big problem for me all year in my second year of ownership of "Passages", CD 25 Cruiser. My fuel vents are exactly as pictured, and I've run through some pretty heavy seas this year and last. I've also suspected water in fuel from a little local convenience store, but not proven. I installled extra large Dacor filter at my 200 service; the bowl fills after only 2 or three hours. I've been trying to burn off the mixture before adding good gas, but I'm at the stage now, I think I better pump it out. I'm at a quarter tank now, so could be affected by more condensation. I'm wondering if our builder has been invited to chime in. It seems to be a big problem. for a lot of folks.
Water and fuel don't Mix
- Thread starter John S
- Start date
flapbreaker":1rle87sx said:
Flapbreaker thanks for all the suggestions for pumping out fuel. I am going to order some of these products. I could even use a clunk for transferring from a couple of drums on my long range trips.
I moved my port fuel vent slightly today so that a vent hole doesn't point forward anymore. I'm going to order the Attwood P-ventsand install them, I just wish they came in stainless instead of plastic. I think this will take care of my problem.
Thanks for all the ideas.
I just wanted to give a quick follow up on this subject. I repositioned the vent so it doesn't face forward anymore.
We then lauched the boat for a 4 day 300 NM trip. I stopped often and drained water from the Racor, but the amount of water seemed to decrease.
The new vents are on there way and another big benefit is that they will let the automatic shut off work on gas pumps without squirting out the vent.
Thank you everyone for all the help and suggestions.
John
We then lauched the boat for a 4 day 300 NM trip. I stopped often and drained water from the Racor, but the amount of water seemed to decrease.
The new vents are on there way and another big benefit is that they will let the automatic shut off work on gas pumps without squirting out the vent.
Thank you everyone for all the help and suggestions.
John
Fun Patrol
New member
Some time ago we had some posts on water in the fuel tanks on 22s. Turns out the tank vents and their installation were one of the main culprits. The vents were of a similar style and location as yours. The vent hoses ran downhill all the way to the tanks. Not that big a deal yet, but forget to pull up a nearby fender when you get underway and...depending on the fender location...it would splash considerable water right into the vent, and thus to the tank. The solution was to 1) remember to pull up the fenders, and 2) create an anti-syphon loop above the vent opening. This may be difficult if the vent is at the highest part of the gunn'ls.
In my case I discovered water in the port tank and racor. There was about a pint in the tank and the old filter was FULL! After they fill, they just bypass the water through. I replaced my old can filter with one with a see-thru bottom, removed both tanks and cleaned them, and replaced the fill and vent hoses. In my case there was room for a loop above the vent level.
I think that scenario would more often affect the port side because it's harder to see from the pilot's position. "It's the crew's fault, I got my side"
Good luck, Roy
In my case I discovered water in the port tank and racor. There was about a pint in the tank and the old filter was FULL! After they fill, they just bypass the water through. I replaced my old can filter with one with a see-thru bottom, removed both tanks and cleaned them, and replaced the fill and vent hoses. In my case there was room for a loop above the vent level.
I think that scenario would more often affect the port side because it's harder to see from the pilot's position. "It's the crew's fault, I got my side"
Good luck, Roy
Thought I would revive this thread, because the problem is not completely resolved.
I don't think I'm getting any new water now, BUT........this new Attwood vent SUCKS! It was supposed to make the automatic fuel pumps shut off when the tanks were full.
Instead fuel comes erupting out from around the fuel nozzle, doesn't matter what rate you are using to fill, the results are the same. I confirmed this vent was truely awful with some idependent testing I found on the internet at this link on the Boat U.S. site
So this leaves me looking for another fuel vent solution again.
Here's a photo of the guilty party:
I don't think I'm getting any new water now, BUT........this new Attwood vent SUCKS! It was supposed to make the automatic fuel pumps shut off when the tanks were full.
Instead fuel comes erupting out from around the fuel nozzle, doesn't matter what rate you are using to fill, the results are the same. I confirmed this vent was truely awful with some idependent testing I found on the internet at this link on the Boat U.S. site
So this leaves me looking for another fuel vent solution again.
Here's a photo of the guilty party:
Ted Osborne
New member
Our solution for many yrs has been to use a "No Spill Fuel Saver" that is a plastic bottle that attaches to the hull with suction cups and covers the fuel vent. (WM). In fact our fuel dock has one for people to use. We carry our own.
The other method we use is to put our ear down near the fuel nozzle when we think it is getting near full and when you start to hear it "gurgle" you STOP.
We also keep records on how much gas we take on in each tank VS what the fuel gauge on the boat says and we can come close to know how much gas we will be taking on. Have never had an over flow and never more that a dribble into the No Spill Fuel Saver. Works for us.
The other method we use is to put our ear down near the fuel nozzle when we think it is getting near full and when you start to hear it "gurgle" you STOP.
We also keep records on how much gas we take on in each tank VS what the fuel gauge on the boat says and we can come close to know how much gas we will be taking on. Have never had an over flow and never more that a dribble into the No Spill Fuel Saver. Works for us.
flapbreaker
New member
Same thing happens on my boat when the tank nears being full. Weird thing is the gas doesn't run out the vents but like yours, it erupts from the fuel port. I can't trust the automatic shut off.
Never trust the auto shut off when fueling a boat - period. A spill in the water is a worse problem to deal with than one on land and depending on how the boat is loaded (and where everyone is standing at the time), you can't be guaranteed that the high spot on the tank is where the fill tube is at. Most boat fuel tanks (at least on small boats) have a less than ideal path between the fill port and the tank and almost all can spill over either at the fill port or the vent. Fuel slowly and stay there with your hand on the pump the whole time.
I was never looking for something that would allow me to walk away from an unattended fueling.
I just needed a venting system that doesn't admit water into the fuel system. I chose the above vent because it claimed to not dribble fuel out of the vent when the tank was full as a bonus.
Instead, fuel shoots out around the nozzle even while hand fueling fast or slow speed with this particular Attwood vent.
Still looking for the best vent system to install in my current vent location, which is in a splash zone.
I just needed a venting system that doesn't admit water into the fuel system. I chose the above vent because it claimed to not dribble fuel out of the vent when the tank was full as a bonus.
Instead, fuel shoots out around the nozzle even while hand fueling fast or slow speed with this particular Attwood vent.
Still looking for the best vent system to install in my current vent location, which is in a splash zone.
tsturm":3rlwqcx0 said:John S":3rlwqcx0 said:
Sounds like the Vent is unable to Vent, pressure in the tank wants out, only exit is through the fill? Check for a kink in the vent hose etc?:beer If you ever get fuel / water in the P Trap in the vent line how is it going to vent???
In my earlier post on this thread you will find a link to a article where the "fuel vent" I chose was tested and found to have the problems I am having. My problem isn't trying to figure out why fuel is spraying out around the nozzle, I was just trying to share some info about a crappy product, that doesn't live up to its claim. It's a real good article and worth checking out. http://www.boatus.com/foundation/Findings/findings40/inlinefuel.htm
I don't know how the tank on a tomcat is positioned but on the 22, the plastic tanks and their shape create a problem for filling. The top of the tank is not flat. At least on my boat it is slightly warped and bulged in places. When filling I stand on the side being filled and the boat lists toward that side. As the tank approaches full any slight movement or wake can cause the fuel to slosh over toward the fill and vent lines which are close together and you get the familiar burp of fuel out either the vent line or fill opening. The only reliable solution I have found is to move ice chests or crewmembers to the opposite side and attempt to create a slight list away from the filler. This seems to insure a good fill unless you get a little wake at the fuel dock.
CAVU":1a5vpz1g said:
Ken,
That was the point I was trying to make - e.g. that the shape of the tanks and/or the locations in the tanks to which the fill and vent lines are attached may be the problem as opposed to the venting device itself. Also, that the position of the boat in the water may affect the ability to fill and or vent. Hence, it may not be the vent product that is crap but the overall design of the fuel system itself and (perhaps) an unrealistic expectation that the fuel system will perform more like that of a car in terms of the automatic stopping on the fuel pump.
Problem Resolved:
Just wanted to update this situation. We finally resolved it, I think. Last week I replaced the entire intake assembly on my BF-90 that had drank all the salt water. This include four brand new carbs, intake manifold, etc., etc. $1300. You wouldn't believe all the crap that salty water inside of carbs can make. We started the season off with floats sticking multiple times. A carb main jet plugging. Our Honda shop attempted to clean up one of the carbs before giving up and recommending full replacement.
To stop the water from coming in I've moved the tank vents to the same place as EVERY OTHER Tomcat I've ever seen and I went thru ALL the photos I could find. Some Dumba** at the factory decided to drill the holes for mine below the rubrail instead of above it like EVERY other Tomcat I've seen. I changed out C-Dory's straight vent hose for a longer piece of looped hose and the problem seems to be solved.
(Interesting note, I stopped to talk with a C-Dory rep at the Seattle Boat Show about my water problem and VERY soon after he escorted me off to a booth selling tackle to show me his favorite flasher and see me off)
I should have know something was going on when I bought the boat from the previous owner and there were 4 bottles of STP Water Treatment on board the boat that came with it.
By the way I got rid of the fancy vents with a P-trap built into them that caused fuel to literally shoot out from around the nozzle and went back to the standard chrome vent with the two holes directed downward.
I'm happy to have this issue behind us.
Just wanted to update this situation. We finally resolved it, I think. Last week I replaced the entire intake assembly on my BF-90 that had drank all the salt water. This include four brand new carbs, intake manifold, etc., etc. $1300. You wouldn't believe all the crap that salty water inside of carbs can make. We started the season off with floats sticking multiple times. A carb main jet plugging. Our Honda shop attempted to clean up one of the carbs before giving up and recommending full replacement.
To stop the water from coming in I've moved the tank vents to the same place as EVERY OTHER Tomcat I've ever seen and I went thru ALL the photos I could find. Some Dumba** at the factory decided to drill the holes for mine below the rubrail instead of above it like EVERY other Tomcat I've seen. I changed out C-Dory's straight vent hose for a longer piece of looped hose and the problem seems to be solved.
(Interesting note, I stopped to talk with a C-Dory rep at the Seattle Boat Show about my water problem and VERY soon after he escorted me off to a booth selling tackle to show me his favorite flasher and see me off)
I should have know something was going on when I bought the boat from the previous owner and there were 4 bottles of STP Water Treatment on board the boat that came with it.
By the way I got rid of the fancy vents with a P-trap built into them that caused fuel to literally shoot out from around the nozzle and went back to the standard chrome vent with the two holes directed downward.
I'm happy to have this issue behind us.
You can use the fuel line to siphon the tank. Find a piece of plastic to hold the check valve ball open on the motor end of the fuel line. The red straw that comes with WD-40 will work. Prime the line with the squeeze bulb and let it trickle into a container, it is a slow process. You prolly already know this, keep the engine end of the bulb up when you squeeze it.
After you empty the tank pour a couple gallons of clean fuel into the tank and siphon it out again, repeat untill no more water comes out.
Good luck.
After you empty the tank pour a couple gallons of clean fuel into the tank and siphon it out again, repeat untill no more water comes out.
Good luck.