New Carver Owner Fuel Tank Functionality Question

[eriklee200]

Hello,
I just purchased a 1990 Carver Montego 3257 and looking for help to understand fuel management on the boat. It has two Crusader 454s and two 95 Gallon fuel tanks on the port and starboard aft section of the boat. I have plenty of power boating (18 foot runabout) and Sailing experience but have never dealt with this type of setup before. I've been searching and have read the manual provided but instructions were a bit lacking. My question(s) are: do both engines draw from both tanks? If one is empty, do they both draw from the one with gas? I have the fuel gauge at the helm with a switch I can toggle to show me fuel levels between each tank but it returns to a central position after I let go, so not sure if that is switching fuel consumption to the tank or just letting me know the level in each tank. I've combed the web and this forum for an understanding but not finding the detail and functionality, so apologies if this has been covered somewhere.
Thanks for any info.
Erik

[km1125]

The meter is just showing you the readings, it does not switch where fuel is drawn. It snaps back to center so you aren't inadvertently looking at the level on one tank while you're engines are drawing from the other tank. It's much better to look down at the gauge reading "empty" and then think "Oh, I have to pick which tank I want to check" rather than just seeing a "FULL" on the gauge not realizing your engines are running on the other tank.

Somewhere on your boat there are fuel selector switches. If you only have the two tanks, then there should be a selector switch for each engine. Normally the port engine is drawing from the port tank and starboard drawing from the starboard tank, but you can switch them to both run from the port tank or both run from the starboard tank. Some folks will do that to level out the tanks. Typically the generator (if you have one) just runs from one tank (mostly port tank, but some have been plumbed to starboard). The fuel pickup for the generator is typically mounted higher than the ones for the engines so the generator can't run the tank dry. You might need at least a 1/4 full tank to run the generator.

[eriklee200]

Thanks so much for the swift reply and information...much appreciated! I will see if I can find these selector switches now.

[waybomb]

Welcome aboard!

[Viper]

Welcome aboard Eric.

I agree with km. Look for fuel tank selector valves. Could be in the cabin on a bulkhead between the cabin and engine compartment or could be in the engine compartment. You should have the valves in such a position that each engine is running off the same tank on that side unless you're trying to equalize levels as mentioned or fuel delivery fails on one side.

The single gas gauge only was a cost and dash space savings move. Don't like them, I personally prefer an active gauge for each side.

[eriklee200]

Thanks again folks. Didn't realize how useful this forum can/will be!

[RGrew176]

Lots of wise people here willing to share information with those in need of such information.

[g36]

QR_BBPOST Lots of wise people here willing to share information with those in need of such information.

I think RGrew is saying we are bunch of wiseas...s,

[RGrew176]

QR_BBPOST

QR_BBPOST Lots of wise people here willing to share information with those in need of such information.

I think RGrew is saying we are bunch of wiseas...s,

Definitely not. We have some really knowledgeable members here.