Gas spraying out of vent

Nauti 97

Active Member
Oct 27, 2010
207
Lake Michigan
Boat Info
2000 380 Sundancer
2020 Highfield 340 dinghy with 25 HP Suzuki
Engines
7.4L Horizon engines
When you fill the Gas tanks on my 97 370 Sundancer
gas will spray out of the tank vent when it gets close to full.
There is no warning to tell you when it is full, It just sprays out all over the side of the boat.
Anyone ever found a way to correct this issue? I hate the gas going down the
side of my boat and into the water.
What can I do?

Thanks
Chuck
 
I'll be watching here for other's thoughts on this, but I don't think there is anything you can do. It seems to be fairly common to all boats that I have seen.
 
GME-204.JPG [h=1]Barton Fuel Whistle[/h]Haven't spilled a drop since I installed these on my boat.
 
If you watch the vent closely and when the first drop of gas comes out stop. This is a pain to do as we have fill points on both sides and the vent is below the rub rail. At that point my tanks will take 5 gallons more each. I normally do not add the 5 gallons. We also have fuel use gauges and they are within 5 to 8% So we know about how much to put in. Marinas on the west coat get very upset when you splach gas in the ocean.
Will have a look at the Barton
 
I think im going to finally pull the trigger on the Barton unit. I know a guy that has one installed and its pretty slick. Works as advertised. I usually trailer and when filling my arm is up in the air and no matter how careful I am, I always get a little shower of the 'liquid platinum' that sprays out.
 
Hey Pack66 Dad
I guess I will be the one to ask you.
Where do you install them.

They go in the vent line. As your putting gas in it whistles until it gets full then it gurgles or kind of warbles so you know to stop.

Its kind of annoying (the whistle) but the fine for putting fuel in the water would be a lot worse.

Mine work like a dream and like I said, no fuel in the water since I installed them.
 
If you listen close enough, you'll hear the sound change as it starts to get close to the top - the "gurgle" that Pack mentioned. Meaning, you'll hear that sound even without the whistler. The whistler is nice because it's louder than just the gurgle.

There are also devices that can be installed in the vent line that will enable the pump to automatically shut-off, like in a car. Attwood makes one - there's another company, as well - just can't think of it offhand. Somewhere there's a thread on this and I had ordered both makes into the store to take a look at (and posted pictures). I remember that at least one person commented on how well it worked.
 
When I was a teenager I worked for 4 summers at a marina on our lake pumping gas. I would put my hand loosely over the vent hole and feel the air pressure. When the vent stopped blowing I stopped pumping- at worst you got a little gas on your fingers. I hated spilling gas. The worst ones were the boats with the plugged vent lines. I jammed more than one key or screwdriver into vent openings to increase the air flow so the gas wouldn't spit back up at me. Most boat owners didn't know or have a clue since they didn't have to deal with it.
 
If you listen close enough, you'll hear the sound change as it starts to get close to the top - the "gurgle" that Pack mentioned. Meaning, you'll hear that sound even without the whistler. The whistler is nice because it's louder than just the gurgle.

My first boat did gurgle but this boat never made any sound to indicate it was full except the sound of gas shooting out the vent into the water. Until I got the whistles I was guessing at best. They are well worth the price.
 
My first boat did gurgle but this boat never made any sound to indicate it was full except the sound of gas shooting out the vent into the water. Until I got the whistles I was guessing at best. They are well worth the price.

Boy, I've filled up a lot of boats over the years and have always heard that gurgle. That's interesting. Mind you, I'm not saying I don't believe you - far from it. Just simply find it interesting. Sorry for the "caveat", but it's too easy to misunderstand someone's intentions on a forum.
 
Boy, I've filled up a lot of boats over the years and have always heard that gurgle. That's interesting. Mind you, I'm not saying I don't believe you - far from it. Just simply find it interesting. Sorry for the "caveat", but it's too easy to misunderstand someone's intentions on a forum.

It was a shock to me too and I had some of my boating buddies come with me and help me listen..... nothing.

It was quite a problem until I got the whistles.
 
I use the "No Spill" as well but only on the side that likes to spit a bit. Just remember to remove the cap otherwise you'll never be able to pump fuel because it seals the vent so well.
 
I can usually listen and hear when almost full but lately I do not go all full, only about 90-95% based on where my gauge says I'm at before. I can judge the gallons to add.
 
I have a no-spill also that I used before I found the whistles. Where my vents are you almost have to fall in the water to get to it on the side away from the dock. And the damn thing sticks so good its even worse trying to get it off.... lol
 

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