Hi.
Thought I'd start with an easy one (hopefully). The fuel vent hose (looks like common garden hose to me) runs from the fuel tank up to underneath sidedeck next to cockpit where it 'exits' on port side through some sort of metal tube just over gunwhale. It has a loop of about 1 foot diametre prior to exit point, which I assume is to stop seawater entering the tank in case of healing whilst under sail.
Thing is, this metal tube looks to have been painted over - there is no exit as far as I can tell. See pics below.
I assume this is an error. I suppose it's possible that it has a removable cover that someone has painted over. How should this be set up?
I see there is legislation for new builds (newboatbuilders.com/pages/fuel.html) but I just want this basic setup to work.
Thx,
Rog
Rog,
If it's only a vent, try to remove the metal cap thingy and have a closer look at it. It may well be that there is only a very small orifice, after all as a vent the air flow in and out would be very slow, so quite easily painted over. The hose I would change to a fuel approved type.
As much as we are almost nearly just another state of the Union it hasn't happened yet, the regs that are in that link are for the good ole US of A, not us (yet).
Harry
Ha ha - right you are, didn't notice where in the world I was.
Thanks for advice.
Its only a vent to allow the air out of the tank as you refuel and allow air in as you use diesel. Most, but not all diesels have a fuel return line to the tank, this needs to be fuel quality rubber or copper.
You need only a very thin tube to equalise pressure in the tank as the engine suck fuel out, but I've heard a shipwright's opinion that you need a fairly substantial air vent diameter to cater for filling a tank from a bowser. He suggested at minimum 3/4inch inside diameter tubing, and preferably larger that than.
However, I'm not sure whether I'm convinced; I've been getting by with a 9mm vent hose.
I'm thinking that if you pour in fuel at a higher rate than air can escape, it will simply cause sputtering and spillage at the filler entry point.
Someone had just painted over the standard stainless rounded end vent including the downward and slightly aft facing hole.
Thanks.
