Say no to Gas Showers

[Stingreye]

I was exhibiting some stuck check valve symptoms in my fuel vent while surfing regular. So while looking at replacements I ran into this article:

http://www.boatus.org/findings/40/default.asp

So I decided to try out the Racor 100
I bought it from Defender for around $90:
http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp...9060&id=133911

I have previously had to keep my ear by the vent and the fill line and usually I still spilled gas while fueling (yes even while going slow, and no I don't have a second fill I can open on my boat to aid in venting). It would spill out of the fill line similar to what was reported in the BoatUS article.

Anyway, I have only filled up once since installing but I am tentatively optimistic as I filled faster and could tell when the sound changed so I clicked it off. I didn't wait to see if the auto off feature of the pump worked.

Here is a pic comparing the sizes of the one I removed and the Racor 100 one:

fuel air separator.jpg

Hopefully, this is useful to someone else or maybe someone else has used the Racor 100 also and can report their findings.

[wired1236]

Say no to Gas Showers

Nice. I am going to try this too. I've tried everything and while certain things help, none have proven to really work. It takes me about 15 min to fill up my 38 gal tank with about 30 gal of fuel. People get impatient me included. While 15 min doesn't sound that long, it really is when there's a weekends has line behind you while you are taking up one or two pumps.

[Heli-Doc]

Good find! I will be ordering one of these....

[Ewok]

I installed one of these on my Bayliner and it worked great, for not spilling gas out of the vent. It did not help with the majority of my spills which are out the fuel filler line. The only way I know of to prevent a fuel spill out of the fuel filler line is to hold the fuel filling handle and fill the tank as slow as possible so you can hear the fuel filling up the filler tube and you can shut off the pump before it comes out.

[jrj701]

I installed one of these on my Bayliner and it worked great, for not spilling gas out of the vent. It did not help with the majority of my spills which are out the fuel filler line. The only way I know of to prevent a fuel spill out of the fuel filler line is to hold the fuel filling handle and fill the tank as slow as possible so you can hear the fuel filling up the filler tube and you can shut off the pump before it comes out.

X2 on the coming out the fill neck. Never really have a problem with it coming out the vent. OP please keep us posted as to whether it helps with the fill neck itself.

[Johnnymac]

So I'm not the only one who gets showered in the face when I'm filling. Never thought of opening the second fill line but I will try that. Thx!

[Carter13]

I have also enjoyed a nice fuel shower on our previous 06 22V. After that happened just I click the handle in the first notch and stick my ear next to it when I am getting close to full. I plan on continuing this procedure since it has not failed me.

I have not filled our RZ2 yet since we just got it a few months ago but I had thought of removing both fuel caps. The problem I think that could occur with this is there is no pressure in the tank and I could see the fuel coming out of both holes if you are not paying attention. I am not even sure if you are that you would hear that gurgling noise of the fuel getting close to the top.

[boatwakes]

I'm freakin dying laughing reading these accounts (I owned a marina fuel dock for 10 years and had to teach the boys all the tricks to filling 1000 gallon tanks without bathing in it). Anyone who is having filling problems will greatly enhance their personal filling experience with one of these vent line installations. However, those of you who still have filler neck splash back, you MUST check these things to keep from accidentally burning your eyeballs out:
- Check the vent line from the tank is free from kinks, blockage and pinched lines. If the tank can't flow the volume of air out while filling, you're gonna take it to the face as the tank pressure increases and that pressure finds the easiest way out.
- Check the external vent itself is not corroded or blocked on the OUTSIDE of the boat.
- If the vent is clear and you still get splash back, check the 1.5" fuel fill hose for improper mounting (Bayliner is notorious for this). Improper routing means there is a low spot between the fill and the tank where the hose droops down and collects fuel during filling. It takes head pressure (duh) to overcome the "blockage" and move the fuel into the tank but when you stop filling the low spot will allow a surge of fuel as pressure shifts back and then you take it to the face again.
Basically, gravity needs to do the work so a nice slope straight to the fuel tank is the best way to set it up. A properly plumbed and vented tank will take land station filling speed (about 6 gallons a minute) without issue and also keep you from taking it in the face. BUT!!! Gasoline vapors are very dangerous!!! Anyone who removes any fuel fill or vent line should reinstall it using a product readily available at auto parts stores call Hi-Tack. Coat the hose and reattach for a leak free installation. PM any questions if you need and be safe.

[IDBoating]

At the lake I never have fuel blowback problems because the flow is SO RESTRICTED out of today's plastic gas cans .

However I do fault Tige for mounting the fuel tank overflow BELOW (?!?) the fill tube, basically guaranteeing overflow out of the vent at a gas station unless you're paying really close attention. The overflow will still do its job if mounted above the fill tube, and then won't start overflowing before the fill level comes up the tube. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

[boatwakes]

Thats how all fuel tanks are plumbed, the detriment from spilling gas was only recently environmentalized. Fuel vents were used to let the boater know when the tank was full. There is a fuel fill that perko makes with the vent plumbed back into the fill like a car.

[IDBoating]

Thats how all fuel tanks are plumbed....

My 2001 Seadoo jetboat wasn't plumbed like that, which was why I was so surprised when we got our Tige. The vent was level with the fill tube, so gasoline could be right up to the lip of the fill port and still not quite be coming out of the overflow. That arrangement was perfect.

It too had an inboard engine (Mercury V6) and permanent internal poly fuel tank so no difference there in terms of boat construction or associated USCG regulations.

It's my understanding that the whole point of the overflow is to release fumes and/or fuel if excessive pressure builds in the tank. That job can be accomplished without having the overflow below the fill tube.

[RobH]

I initially struggled fueling my 2013 Z3. Pump would click off, spill a little fuel, and then after I launched, it was only 1/2 full.

Now I do the following.

Open the center access so I can see the tank.
Open both fuel caps.
Stand on a short ladder while I fuel so I can see the tank.

When the tank gets close to full, slow down, stop when I see the level meet the tank filler tube.
I have done this procedure more than 10 times, and have not spilled a drop, and tank is 100% full.

I have never fueled at a dockside pump, mainly because there is a gas station on the one mile I drive from storage to launch.

[robert theisen]

I use the same method of fueling Rob H does. I open both fillers and the rear center access door. I fill till the fuel is visible just below the black rubber inlet hose. I use 5 gallon cans so i'm always filling slowly.Gas is always 60 to 75 cents a gallon cheaper at the Flying J than it is at the marinas. I have filled hundreds of times this way with no splash back. When someone buys my gas at the marinas i still open both fuel caps and the center access door and fill slowly.Still never a splash back.

[Ewok]

I also learned from another TO that at a regular gas station to turn the filling nozzle upside down. I guess it makes the auto shutoff more sensitive? Either way, I always fill up on the way to the lake so it rarely takes more than 20 gal at a time.

[Stingreye]

UPDATE: Video is uploading to Youtube so you can see it.

So I tested out the fill again tonight to see what would happen if I left the pump at the station auto shut off.

I expected it to take 10-15 gallons of fuel as we were surfing about 3-4 hours last trip out. I started the pump let it run and the pump shut off automatically at 11.7 gallons.

Then I decided (stupidly) to top it off to see if it would take more fuel and shutoff a second time. It did not and I got the usual Tige gasoline shower we all know and love!

Video will be up shortly.

On the whole, I am EXTREMELY satisfied with the Racor LG100 filter and my results were similar to the Boat US study. I am sure anyone that had an old Tige like mine with the atwood POS check valve understand how hard it is to fill with fuel. This is a great upgrade.

One thing to notice, the vent I have moved. That's my new bilge pump outlet. I have never had any fuel spill out the vent. I moved the vent forward under the windshield because I didn't like how close it was to the water while surfing. I double check the vent and no fuel spilled out the vent either.