Insects in fuel pipe vent

[Jacqueline]

I have a 1992 Sea Ray Sundancer 290, twin petrol engines.

Can anyone help me with advice on how to unblock the air vent that serves the fuel pipe? I had this problem last year, there was an insect nest or something in the pipe that leads from the fuel overflow on the hull of the boat, to the ingoing fuel pipe.

The problem is that is takes forever to fill up the fuel tank because the pump keeps switching itself off due to the blocked air vent pipe.

The service guys came and unblocked the pipe last year and it was fine after that, but some more insects have caused another blockage over the winter. I do not want to pay for the service guys to come to do something that is probably quite easy to do myself.


I need to know:

1) How to access the pipe
2) How to identify the pipe
3) How to remove it
4) How to clean it
5) How to reattach it securely

Any advice from anyone who has experienced this problem would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jpk33]

I am not familiar with your specific model but the fuel vent line should attach to the top side of the fuel tank using small diameter fuel grade hose and runs to the side of the boat and attaches to the vent fitting that has a small wire screen inside the opening (hull side). Is your screen missing? Thats the most common way insects get into the hose. The screen also act like a spark arrestor to prevent the fumes from burning back into the fuel vent in the event of an accidental fire outside the vent. The best way to blow out the vent is remove it from the fuel tank and using compressed air blow out the line towards the vent (remove the screen first). I have seen people do the reverse and blow from the outside vent into the fuel tank (make sure you ar not full of fuel and you unscrew your fuel cap) but this just blows the obstruction INTO the fuel tank. But it is a quick way to determine IF you have an vent obstruction.
The vent line should be connected with two stainless steel band clamps and slide on to a barbed hose fitting. Make sure you replace the hose/clamps securely if you remove them.
Good Luck! - Jeff

 

[Jacqueline]

Hi, thanks for the reply, I will see if I can work this out this weekend when I go to the boat. By compressed air, do you mean the thing in the gas station you use to pump up the tyres on your car?

 

[tbirdvet]

I'm surprised insects can survive in a hose that can be full of fuel vapor!

 

[Jacqueline]

Strange as it may seem, I have been told that some insects are attracted to the gas fumes!!

 

[Rssll45]

Had the same problem a few years back. Cleared the vent by sticking a small wire up the vent. The insect nest was not far up in the vent.