Fuel Tank Mounting-R-21 EC

[rt11002003]

Andrew,

This fuel issue seems to grow.

I stopped by the boat after my workout to measure, thinking about the fuel vent issue. I finally realized the fuel tank is not sitting flat. It is mounted such that aft end of the tank is sitting on the aft lip of the pan on which the batteries, fuel tank etc. are mounted. That results in the bottom of the tank not being supported except at the aft end (about a 1/4 of an inch support) and the forward end. Surely that is not correct.

I just read Shaun's post about replacing the fuel tank in his R-21. That is way more than I want to get into.

I can't see any baffles in my tank. The fuel sloshes heavily in any kind of chop. I'm not convinced Ranger has a good solution for handling fuel on the R-21.

So far: The fuel return line rubs a sharp edge of the fuel filter mount. The fuel vent line has two kinks, resulting in difficulty refueling, fuel/spray coming out the outlet vent and pressure buildup forcing fuel out the filler cap. The fuel tank is not well supported. 🙁

Should I try to move the fuel tank forward about a quarter of an inch so it is fully supported by the pan?

Gene

 

[Boatman]

😀 Gene - I am interested in following the results of this issue. Did you ever get a response from Ranger??? What direction did you take to resolve the problem?? Joe

 

[rt11002003]

Joe,

I responded to the fuel vent and filler issue in your other query. Hope it answers your questions. If not, feel free to call me, 770-967-8041, I'd be happy to discuss everything with you. 😀

The mounting of the fuel tank issue had a different result. I talked, or exchanged PMs with Jeff and Andrew (or both ???).
They seem to feel the current mounting is satisfactory. I don't agree, but I have $800,000 liability coverage on fuel spills and the courts after that. 🙁

PERSONAL VENT: Ranger, thru its staff (Andrew and Jeff, in my case), does a commendable, even an outstanding job in handling most of the issues with the tugs. BUT, I don't feel I've gotten the service level I hear/read others have gotten. Of course my tug was only a third of what a R-25 costs and even less than a R-29, where they have more margins. To illustrate, Andrew and I were on the phone about the vent issue. He had to get off and promised to call back, never did. Neither of them queried about fuel spraying on the seats cushions, even though it should have been obvious with the amount of fuel I had leaking. I could list some other things. However, in their favor, with most boat builders one is unlikely to get Ranger's service level unless one spends several hundred thousand dollars.

Gene

 

[Kamalani]

I am also still concerned as to the fuel venting issue with the R-21EC. Regardless of the fuel level in the tank, any "motion of the ocean" will result in fuel ejecting out onto the transom, and overboard. When the tank is full, this will occur even from just walking aboard the boat while at the dock. We have yet to trailer her, but I can only imagine what can happen under that motion.

Our dealer consulted with the factory, and after a time, a "fix" was sent to them, which they installed on one of their boats. This amounted to relocating the fuel vent fitting from port side to starbord side with a length of hose running over the tank from the original tank vent outlet. Unfortunately, this hose appeared to me to create a u-trap, as well as not provide any real difference in height of the overflow, and therefore I opted out of the "Fix".

In addition to the vent, the fuel filler cap is also vented, which also allows fuel to spill out whenever it sloshes up the fill pipe and contacts the cap. Question: does the fill cap have to be vented if the tank has a separate vent?

I admit, I'm still at a loss with this issue.

 

[rt11002003]

Kamalani, If I understand correctly, your "fix" was only the longer line moving the vent fitting to the starboard side of the vessel and probably some fittings.

Ranger, I think it was Jeff, sent me a "fix". The kit had a new 90 degree vent fitting for replacing the original vertical fitting installed in the tank. It also included a longer vent hose and an exterior vent fitting. The exterior vent fitting was the same design as the original one on the port side. I was pretty sure I couldn't get enough "rise" in the vent line using that fitting and I also expected it would result in a "loop", just as you suspected. I installed everything and sure enough, it wouldn't work!

So, I bought an exterior vent fitting that had an adjustable hose connection tube. The original exterior vent fitting mounts with the hose connection pointing straight down, 90 degrees from the horizon, that position keeps water from entering the vent fitting. By using the new vent fitting that I had bought and adjusting the hose connection tube so the hose connected the tube from above the horizon, approximately 125 degrees from the way the old vent hose connected, I gained more "rise" above the fuel. I then cut the vent hose to fit exactly and supported it across the fuel tank to avoid a "loop".

Ranger also included a flush mount, non-vented fuel filler fitting. When everything was installed, my fuel venting problems were cured. I suggest you go back to dealer and have them modify your system like mine. The two key items are the adjustable exterior vent fitting and the flush mounted non-venting fuel filler fitting.

I was left with one cushion that is discolored badly and another one less so by the fuel leakage. The job was horrible! 🙁 My hands were cut and they cramped for days. I don't have any service here, it's DIY! :cry:

Gene

 

[Boatman]

😀 Pretty creative Gene!! Since necessity is the Mother of invention let me share another possible approach for those who have the fuel tank in the middle of the cockpit instead of at the transom. As we discussed, the problem in my case is that you can't run a separate vent line to the exterior without forming a loop. IE - exiting the tank, dropping down the side of the tank, under the flooring, and up the inside of the hull to the exterior vent, which forms the fatal P-trap effect. I have a metal tank, with a flush mount filler cap and screw vent. I decided do away with the flush mount cap, and extend the filler neck by using one from an automobile. First I went to the salvage yard and found a filler neck from a late model pickup. All the late models have a spring loaded flap which the pump nozzle opens when fueling your car. This flap helpes to stop any fuel from reaching the filler cap since there is about a 1.5 inch gap between them. The flap closes when the pump nozzle is removed. I found a unit that also had a plastic tube inside the metal tube and prevents the fuel from spraying back while filling. Contrary to what the yard man told me, the caps are vented. actually it is quite a sophisticated vent allowing both pressure caused by filling and temperature increase, and vacuum or negative pressure caused by temp. drop and fuel consumption, to neutralize keeping the tank sides relaxed. I am thinking that since this two way vent is above the filler flap it might just do the trick. I had about 5.5 inches clearance between the top of the tank and the bottom of the engine cover. I cut the filler neck so that the top of the automotive gas cap, the ratchet type, is 1/2 in. below the cover, using as much height as possible. After carefully cutting the fuel neck to the proper length I attached it to the original opening of the tank by using PC.7. JB-Weld would also work. Both are fuel resistant and plenty strong enough for the job and allow mounting without welding heat. It's also easy to do providing all parts are carefully preped. Both surfaces must be carefully cleaned first and then roughed giving "Tooth" for maximum adhesion. Of course all this requires removal of the tank however this is a good thing as you can now check the interior and clean if necessary. It might just work !!?? Will keep you posted. Joe

 

[Kamalani]

Gene - sorry, I've been off-line for a while. and thanks for the thoughtful, (and painful!), ideas regarding this problem. I agree that since there is next to no working space above the fuel tank, any of these fixes seem daunting. I doubt that I have the talant or patience to accomplish what you did, however, I'm pleased that your hard work paid off. Alex, "Kamalani"

 

[Andrew Custis]

To everyone with this issue,

Sorry I have not looked at this sooner. If you are still having an issue, I ask that you contact me direct rather then posting on the tugnuts. This is a much easier way to communicate with me as I am not always on this website. The factory tries to monitor this website the best we can, but calling us directly, emailing us directly or calling your dealer you purchased the boat from might be the fastest way to get these type of issues handled. Thanks for your understanding.