Fuel burp when filling

S

SailorBoy

New member
Joined
Oct 1, 2018
Messages
4
Fluid Motion Model
R-21
Hull Identification Number
FMLC2606L314
Vessel Name
Post Flight
MMSI Number
338191906
I've filled the tank on my C-26 three times. Each time shortly after starting it burps out the filler and vent. First two times it happened after adding 8 gallons VERY SLOWLY and it took 30 to 45 gallons to fill. Last time it burped after adding 12 gallons and it took 28 gallons to fill.

What is causing this.

Bob Abbott
C-26 Post Flight
Marblehead, OH
 
Check the vent. Spiders and other crawlies like to build nests etc in those spots. Just a thought...
 
I finally got around to installing the LG100 fuel/air separater. It works great! With that and the CleanWay filler not a drop was spilled when I fueled up today.

It was easy to install. It comes with hose clamps and large tie wraps to secure the unit. I was a little leary about cutting the hose. Didn’t know if it would take some sawing with a knife, so purchased a nifty hose cutter from Home Depot. A Lisle hose cutter
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lisle-Hose- ... /300707659

Cuts through the hose like it was warm butter.
 
Gave up on the Cleanway. Installed a fuel/air separator and a DIY funnel about one-third thru our Loop trip. The funnel is the real saver. It threads into the fuel port and save a lot of burps and splashes getting overboard. It cost just a few dollars and the parts are readily available at any decent hardware store.

 
We never try to fill the fuel tank to full while on the water. Normally fill to 90% max when on the water.
We do full to full when trailering at gas stations just before launching. Much easier to catch any drops that burp out on the hard!
 
I know I have posted this before, but I have the simple solution to burps through the fuel vent.

Take one of those paper diapers that they have at all fueling stations and cut them up into 4" x 4" squares. When you get to the fuel dock, put blue tape (which you should always have on board for projects) on three sides and stick it over the vent, open at the top. It catches all the burps and you peel it off and put it in the special disposal can that the dock provides. If it burps a lot, double the thickness of the pad.

This after years of frustration trying to capture the burps while pumping ever so slowly. Our filling back-up problem was improved by shortening the fuel line that connects to the tank, but it still burps occasionally.

Jeff
 
I found that when the one way fuel vent valve was installed at the factory they put the valve assembly back together incorrectly. You should not be able to blow back into the fuel tank from the vent beside the fuel fill. If you can then the valve was reinstalled incorrectly. Remove the vent line. This will then allow you to remove the one way valve. Unscrew the valve to disassemble. Flip the cylinder inside the valve and then reassemble. If you can no longer blow back into the fuel tank then you are golden. I had terrible troubles re-fueling constant burps and had to fuel at the slowest possible rate.
Now I fill at a very fast rate keeping a careful ear open to hear when I a getting near full. The last 10/20 litres are still a bit of a pain but this fix cured 95% of my problem. Cheap and easy fix will take less than 30 minutes even if you have no mechanical skills. Easiest with a socket set but a flat blade screwdriver will do. Just two hose clamps on both the fuel line and vent line to loosen and then tighten backup.
 
So I’ve watched all these posts about the fueling and use to see my vent burp on my CW28. So I had one of these green marine fuel whistles years ago and gave it a try again but this time diesel not gas.
https://www.greenmarineproducts.com/new ... uelwhistle
It is an annoying whistle when filling but as soon as you hear a slight gurgle I stop. Since the generator does not have a fuel usage sensor I do this...
Garmin displays fuel. Then fill tank till whistle gurgles. Add the two together and it’s always within 3 gallons or less from the 100 total capacity. Then I set the total fuel on board to 97 to adjust for some generator use. And btw I have not seen a drop of diesel since doing this.

Stuart
 
Wynot1":3icycz50 said:
I found that when the one way fuel vent valve was installed at the factory they put the valve assembly back together incorrectly. You should not be able to blow back into the fuel tank from the vent beside the fuel fill. If you can then the valve was reinstalled incorrectly. Remove the vent line. This will then allow you to remove the one way valve. Unscrew the valve to disassemble. Flip the cylinder inside the valve and then reassemble. If you can no longer blow back into the fuel tank then you are golden. I had terrible troubles re-fueling constant burps and had to fuel at the slowest possible rate.
Now I fill at a very fast rate keeping a careful ear open to hear when I a getting near full. The last 10/20 litres are still a bit of a pain but this fix cured 95% of my problem. Cheap and easy fix will take less than 30 minutes even if you have no mechanical skills. Easiest with a socket set but a flat blade screwdriver will do. Just two hose clamps on both the fuel line and vent line to loosen and then tighten backup.
Click to expand...

This may have been an add on if factory installed. You are the first member to state you had a factory installed fuel vent check valve if your boat is diesel powered. Gas powered R27 have a completely different venting system to meet EPA standards. Regardless that is a good find if you have a check valve in the vent line that someone installed it backwards.

The issue with the fuel burb is the tank installation and attitude of the boat at rest. The tank vent fitting and tank fuel fill fitting are on the rear starboard side of the tank. The fill on my C26 is located 4' from the transom starboard side. The C26 at rest in the water as a slight stern heavy list. This means that the fuel level is higher in the aft section of the tank lower in the fwd section of the tank. If I am in the boat filling the tank and standing at the location of the fuel fill I have added to the stern heavy at rest attitude plus I'm causing the boat to have a slight list to starboard. This makes the fuel level in the tank higher where the fill and vent are. What does this mean? When you are filling the tank the vent and fill are no more than 3" apart. The fuel level is higher in this location. There is a air pocket that has formed in the forward section of the tank that is trapped. In the C26 this is air pocket equals about 10 gallons of fuel because of the shallow land irregular shaped tank. I find that when it first burbs I have about ten gallons more to go. If I need to top the tank off and carry capacity I have my wife stand on the bow port side. I get out of the boat and fill from the dock. When we do this we usually see a large burp. I use the clean Way to block most of the fuel that burbs out. I then fill very slowly. I always ask the fuel dock attendant if I can do the filling because it is a PIA to fill and takes about 20 minutes to top the tank off. The clean way has helped reduce the spill that I do not want to have.

I have cruised with friends that have a C28 they do not experience any problems. With our boats rafted off side by side I can see why. The C28 actually as a slight bow down attitude when at rest. This helps keep the air pocket aft and they have zero fuel burp. I have cruised with R25 owners that have the same issue as I do and talked to several R27 that do too. The combination of diesel fuel foaming and a poorly designed fuel tank installation makes fueling our boat a PIA. My fuel tank fuel gauge is accurate to 1 gallon. I know how much fuel I need to top the tank off. I will fill at speed to 10 gallons before full. Then insert the Clean Way in the deck fill and fill slowly with our burning the air out of the tank method.

I have rerouted the fuel fill and vent hose, taking all low runs out to eliminate fuel from puddling in the hose. I originally had a kink in the hose hose that was caused by a bulkhead. I cut this kink out and cut the bulkhead and still had enough original hose to make the connection. I chalk it up to a poor design. And just say "IT IS WHAT IT IS" and deal with it. It has never stopped me from cruising.

Picture of tank design used in C26,R25, R27, C28 (The R27 and C28 are 20 gallons larger but same design.

gallery2.php?g2_itemId=65951
 
I am the inventor of The Clean Way Fuel Fill. I am quite proud of the device. I have many happy Ranger Tug owners that have been using the device to keep their vessels and the environment clean using this awesome device. Some Tug owners have desired to add a bead extension leash, in order to drop the beaded chain below the rubber fitting insert.
I am always happy to hear great responses about fueling with the Clean Way. Thank You for your usage and great report.
Garry Fox
 
Like others here, I fight with my fueling on my 2012 R-27. I've just ordered the Clean Way this morning and hope it helps this annoying problem. I'm looking forward to being able to give it a positive review.

Cheers,
Mark
 
For me it is not perfect still a small amount of spill if I am trying to top off the tank. I will rate it at 95% improvement using it. I use it 10 gallons before full. If I know I need 40 gallons to top the tank off I fill full speed to 30 gallons then put the clean way in deck fill continue at 1/3 speed until I see and hear the fuel foaming and gurgling. I let it settle, burp it and slowly fill the last 3 or 4 gallons until full. It is still a PIA. Clean Way does help minimize the spills.
 
my trick.
only squeeze for half the pressure on flow rate of the pump.
listen to when you hear gurgling coming up the vent and immediately stop.

if you get odd gurgling before the expected full level you are filling too fast.
 
TugScout":10ix82r6 said:
Like others here, I fight with my fueling on my 2012 R-27. I've just ordered the Clean Way this morning and hope it helps this annoying problem. I'm looking forward to being able to give it a positive review.

Cheers,
Mark
Click to expand...
Mark,
Thanks for your order. It shipped yesterday USPS Priority Mail. You should receive it shortly. Enjoy fueling. There is contact information inside the package for you to call if you have any questions. i guarantee the Clean Way to work.
It should take any stress of fueling out of the equation.
Garry
 
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