Fuel Tank Vent

[grizer]

Hello, I recently had a problem where both of my fuel tank vents on the outside of the hull were completed plugged up (spider mess and dirt). I would see this happening again and again as it is just an open hole to a rubber hose to the fuel tank. Does anyone know if there is a way to cover or tape off the outside opening? I suspect that could cause an issue with fuel vapors not being able to escape. Not sure if it's just one of those things you need to clean out from time to time or if there is a better "proactive" way to deal with it...Thanks!

[mjk1040]

Don't tape them off. Clean them out as needed. We use Home Defense, sprayed around the boat to help with the insect issues.

[grizer]

Ok thanks thats what I have been doing...

[bud37]

Believe it or else, they even plug up the vents with the screens......kind of a maintenance thing.....

[mjk1040]

You should have a vent for each fuel tank, one for the black water tank, one for the fresh water tank and one for the gray water tank if you have a gray water tank. Basically every tank on the boat will have a vent period.

[Viper]

Can you post a picture of the fitting? There should be a screen in it somewhere or the screen may have popped off. Where it's located depends on the fitting. This is a safety feature to prevent igniting the fumes in the vent hose.

[km1125]

The other thing to think about with these vents is to tape them up when you're wheeling out the hull. Don't leave the tape on for long, because you do want the tank to vent, but it will help prevent wax or polishing compound from building up inside the vent which is very hard to clean out.