As I was cleaning the snow off my overnighter this afternoon it got me to thinking about a problem i've had since I bought this boat two years ago, when I try to refuel on the water the pump on the dock keeps kicking off. It's worse on hot days I did check the vent line and it's not plugged.I checked with the local Grady dealer this summer and all they could say was put some people up front when fueling.hardly the response one wants to hear. Anyone have any experence with this problem?
Tough time fueling 84 overnighter
- Thread starter swampyankee
- Start date
All too often, we accidentally over fill our tanks, causing gas to exit throught the vent line. Any bends in the line will trap remaining fuel and restrict venting on future fill-ups. Even though you checked the vent line, it may be partialy restricted. Could also have a kink or an area that's semi collapsed and if the line is old and brittle, that's even worse. If you replace it, try to keep the line as short as possible, to avoid any dips, (traps).
Also, the vent itself may be clogged. I've seen this happen from waxing, especially if it has a screen. Remove and either clean or replace it.
Same goes for the fill line, make sure there are no kinks or dips that would trap fuel. If there is, try cutting it back.
On a side note, todays e-10 gas can soften and deteriorate older fuel lines. If your uncertain about the age of the lines, I would replace everything possible, including the supply line to the motor.
Also, the vent itself may be clogged. I've seen this happen from waxing, especially if it has a screen. Remove and either clean or replace it.
Same goes for the fill line, make sure there are no kinks or dips that would trap fuel. If there is, try cutting it back.
On a side note, todays e-10 gas can soften and deteriorate older fuel lines. If your uncertain about the age of the lines, I would replace everything possible, including the supply line to the motor.
It's because the fuel line has to run uphill to get to the tank. Had the same problem in my 204 CC.
When the boat is in the water, the at-rest attitude puts the bow up. The fill line comes down off the transom cap, then runs to a fill port on the top rear of the tank. Due to the way the boat sits, that run to the tank under the floor is uphill. When your fueling up, that line fills up first and then you have to push out what's in the line in order to get gas to the tank. Poor design...
Bet you don't have the same problem when fueling the boat on the trailer.
When the boat is in the water, the at-rest attitude puts the bow up. The fill line comes down off the transom cap, then runs to a fill port on the top rear of the tank. Due to the way the boat sits, that run to the tank under the floor is uphill. When your fueling up, that line fills up first and then you have to push out what's in the line in order to get gas to the tank. Poor design...
Bet you don't have the same problem when fueling the boat on the trailer.
My 88 Overnighter had the fill port at the rear cap behind the port seat, never had an issue, perhaps that is why the fill port was moved back there (?)
I had the same issue on my '78 Overnighter. The one and only time I filled it at the pump last season, no problem. Each time I fueled at the dock (keep it at a slip), it would back through the vent. I replaced all lines and even the vent itself last season, so I don't believe my problem is equipment-related. Sounds like gw204's explanation makes the most sense so I'll have to try fueling at the dock outside of the boat so there is no weight in the stern.
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I had the problem on an 85 Seafarer. It turned out to be the actual fuel hose was disintergrating from age. The hose was colapsing and becoming perforated. The tip here is you would be smelling gas fumes from the bilge if ir was perforated. It could be in the early stage and jus collapsing. The boat is 20 years old you never know?
Heres another common problem I've seen with older tanks: Too small of vents or not enough vents, modern marina pumps pump at a higher rate than older pumps, therefore lots of older tanks need another vent added