new fuel tank ?

Luke Berkey

Luke Berkey

Well-known member
I just got a new 6 gallon fuel tank for my skiff last week. It's the kind with the automotive type cap that clicks when it's closed all the way. I'm assuming that's supposed to keep fumes in. Is there a way to vent these tanks besides leaving the cap loose? The first day I put it in I happen to walk past the boat and the tank was supper swollen and forcing fuel out of the fittings. Am I doing something wrong, is the tank or cap defective, or is this just the way the new tanks and caps are designed? Thanks, Luke
 
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I'm assuming that's supposed to keep fumes in.
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Yep



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Is there a way to vent these tanks besides leaving the cap loose?
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Not that I am aware of.[/font]



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The first day I put it in I happen to walk past the boat and the tank was supper swollen and forcing fuel out of the fittings. Am I doing something wrong, is the tank or cap defective, or is this just the way the new tanks and caps are designed?
Click to expand...
Sounds like the tank is working as designed. [/font]Great design isn't it?
 
Yeah the new tanks suck. I knew that the epa was changing the tanks so I went and bought a new one before you couldn't buy em anymore. What about swaping an old vent cap tank to the new tank?
 
for my home built surface drive mud motor I used a 2gal gas can. used a hole saw to make a disc the right size out of some alloy installed a barbed hose fitting in the center hole, then took a presta bike tube valve and drilled a second hole in the cap installed the sealing gasket from the plastic disc and good to go. When you need to vent the tank just unscrew the presta valve and it vents just fine.
 
Andrew could you post some pictures of the tank you made and the valve,disc and how you run the gas line. I can't picture it. Thanks
 
I can do that when I get out to where my boat is stored and snap a few pics.

Basically the plastic disc that has the gasket around it to seal the cap was taken off the plastic cap, then I used a hole saw the right size and cut a cap out of alloy sheet. The hole in the center from the drill bit was used as the pick up line (I made the hole the right size to insert a brass barb fitting through it) installed fuel line long enough to sit firmly on the bottom of the tank (cut a couple of notches in the end so it can suck and seal against the bottom or side). The Presta valve (a Presta valve is the skinny bike tube valve that you unscrew to put air in and screw closed to keep it closed, basically it is a valve that relies on pressure to keep it closed instead of a spring) is threaded its full length so I just use the nut that came with the tube and the rubber that is left from cutting the valve out of the tube to make a seal.

Total cost of my 2gal tank less than $10 with all the fittings (the tube was one I had flatted on a ride)
 
One solution is to buy a replacement cap that includes a vent. I checked West Marine website and they sell 'em ($12 and up). Walmart or an auto parts store would probably charge less if they carry them.
 
I have a new 9 gal tank from Moeller. I believe the fill opening is larger that the old style, so I'd guess the vented caps will not fit. I could be wrong, but it looked a whole lot bigger. I'm just going to drill a small 1/16" hole it the cap. There, it's vented!
 
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