Diesel Filling Rate

[anjin-san]

I have a 2013 R29 that is painfully slow to fill with diesel. What is the normal fill rate the boat should be able to take in gallons per minute? Anything over 4/minute results in diesel porting over the side via fuel vents on our boat, which doesn't seem right. Thanks!

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We have an R27 so I can not speak directly to the R29 fuel receiving rate other then state it seems reeeeeeal slow. Our R27 fills much the same way as our vehicles, fast enough not to notice and slow enough to notice the price escalation. Has your intake always been this slow or is this a new situation? I'll take a stab and say it may be a kink in your fuel line or maybe your air vent. Lets see what other say or suggest but you may want to call Kenny or Andrew at the factory for guidance beyond that.

Jim F

 

[TonyM]

I had the same problem on my R-25 last summer/
I found the problem to be with my vent line that did not drain back into the tank because of a low spot and formed a pee trap and had a slightly kinked line.
Check this link for my fix
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2995

 

[Favunclerich]

I interpret your posting to mean that diesel is spurting from the vent long before the tank is full when you are filling at relatively high speeds. I had a similar problem with my boat. This suggests to me that you likely have diesel in a low section (pea-trap) of the vent hose rather than air. To fix this problem you need to eliminate the pea-trap. The hose should be as straight as possible and flow downhill to the tank. I found a sag in my vent hose that I straightened with some nylon ties and screws. Problem gone. Good luck.

 

[HRowland]

The vent line in my R27 sags slightly but I use this as an advantage. I listen to the vent while fueling, as long as I hear "glug glug glug" I know air is still venting. Once it goes quiet I stop filling. I can fuel significantly faster than 4 Gal/min but I have never actually timed it. I keep a few paper towels handy while filling but have not had any fuel come out of the vent.

Howard

 

[knotflying]

I have had no problem fueling on my R-27. I usually fill at a gas station and use the diesel pump for cars at full flow. I did install a vent whistle which works great. You cut the vent line on the vertical and just reconnect each end to the whistle. As the fuel fills the vent air pushes through the whistle once there is no more air the whistle stops and you are full. I haven't had a backwash since.

 

[anjin-san]

Thanks all- I'll do some checking and report back.

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

We have added an adapter that screws into the fill line. It is 1 1/4 inch threaded male adapter with a short length of pvc, a 1 1/4 inch x 1 1/2 inch 45 degree fitting on the top end. It helps fuel faster but I agree with other posts. Make sure you don't have a P-trap situation in the vent line. If anyone is interested we can post a picture of the assembly on our Ladybug, Too album.

Pat & Carolyn, Ladybug, Too

 

[Zundels]

Our 2009 R-25 fills very slow. I will look for the vent P-trap and apply the zip tie as a solution, thanks.

Don

 

[baz]

I have had no problem fueling on my R-27. I usually fill at a gas station and use the diesel pump for cars at full flow. I did install a vent whistle which works great. You cut the vent line on the vertical and just reconnect each end to the whistle. As the fuel fills the vent air pushes through the whistle once there is no more air the whistle stops and you are full. I haven't had a backwash since.

I like the idea of having a vent whistle providing an audible sound while filling and then no sound indicating to release the pump lever. I've been watching the meter for number of gallons pumped and then consider tank full based on my fuel use notes. This isn't that precise so I really never know just how full my tank is… plus, having to watch the gallons meter always means I have to have that display in sight which at time is a PITA as I have to loiter about waiting to get the fuel dock position that allows me to place the stern in line with the pump. 🙁

So where did you get your whistle from ? … and how much was it ?

 

[knotflying]

If I remember correctly I bought it at Hamilton Marine. It was like $19.00. The shipping was like $12.00!! I feel it was a very helpful fueling aid. Never have had blowback since.

 

[baz]

If I remember correctly I bought it at Hamilton Marine. It was like $19.00. The shipping was like $12.00!! I feel it was a very helpful fueling aid. Never have had blowback since.

I found it on Hamilton Marine for $19.99. It states the whistle should be installed near the fuel tank. 😱 Where did you mount yours ?

 

[knotflying]

I installed it on the vertical , midway between the top of the vent and just above the deck line, so about 16 inches from the top of the vent. Just cut the line and connect the two ends. When filling you will hear the whistle getting weaker as less air volume pushes through. Then it will flutter and that is when I stop.
As a side note, the other day we were in rough seas and my wife was in the cockpit and said she heard a bird chirping, I went back to hear it. I guess because we were bouncing so much the fuel was pushing air through the vent and hence the slight whistle from the device. First time I heard it and it was not annoying when in the cockpit or noticeable when in the cabin. I feel it is well worth the avoidance of that terrible fuel backwash.

 

[baz]

Mike: Thanks for confirming where you installed the fuel vent whistle… helpful. Any bird chirps will keep my two Fox Terriers amused… :lol:

BTW… Is the whistle device a one-way device… meaning it must be installed in a certain direction to make a whistle sound as air escapes out from the tank through the vent line ?

 

[knotflying]

Yes, there is an arrow indicating the air flow. A rather simple install. I zip tied it to the fill line to hold it in place.

 

[baz]

Mike… I ordered the whistle from Hamilton Marine web site. Thanks. 🙂

 

[baz]

Mike: I note that on my R-25 the fuel vent line is black and runs alongside and zip-tied to the big fuel filling pipe that runs along the upper starboard side in the engine bay. There's a slight dip in these two lines going from the rear of the engine bay up to the transom fittings. I see no way to lessen the dip without lowering the two lines in the engine bay which looks to me as being very awkward. I'm assuming the slight dip in the fuel vent line could constitute a p-trap! 🙁

 

[knotflying]

Without looking at it, I can't comment, but as they say, " If it works, don't fix it" !