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09-18-2016, 04:42 PM
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#1
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Veteran Member
City: Elkton
Vessel Name: Change of Pace
Vessel Model: Mainship
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 68
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Clogged diesel tank vent
Hello all,
I suspect my port diesel tank vent is clogged. Does anyone have a suggestion for how to try freeing up the vent from the outside. Perhaps compressed air, a squirt of WD-40 or some other product that won't do any harm.
I figure I'd try the easy fixes first in case it's something like a spider nest or similar insect related blockage.
Thanks in advance.
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09-18-2016, 05:16 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
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Does it have a screen on it?
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09-18-2016, 05:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
City: Freeport Tx
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 135
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I would try some wire if it has a screen that's the problem if it doesn't have screen then you got bugs in it
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09-18-2016, 05:37 PM
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#4
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Veteran Member
City: Elkton
Vessel Name: Change of Pace
Vessel Model: Mainship
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 68
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No Capt.Bill11, it doesn't. It's a small knob with a gap on the bottom and a concentric knob within. Protruding about 1 1/2 " from the hull below the fuel filler.
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09-18-2016, 08:29 PM
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#5
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Veteran Member
City: Elkton
Vessel Name: Change of Pace
Vessel Model: Mainship
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 68
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I was thinking I might have an insect blockage of some sort. I was hoping I could squirt something in the vent from the outside to help break up the suspected " bug blockage" without doing any harm. Ideas? Past successes?
Thank you.
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09-18-2016, 08:31 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: ketchikan, Alaska
Vessel Name: 'SLO'~BELLE
Vessel Model: 1978 Marben-27' Flybridge Trawler(extended to 30 feet) Pilothouse Pocket Cruiser[
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,206
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Have the same issue, fortunately access to the tank via a deck hatch which reveals a 5/8" brass end fitting for the purpose of measuring allows me to remove this during fueling allowing it to serve as a vent. There is enough of the actual vent to allow for tank breathing. This may be an out for you providing you have a similar measuring port.
Al-Ketchikan 27' Marben pocket cruiser
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09-18-2016, 09:00 PM
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#7
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Veteran Member
City: Elkton
Vessel Name: Change of Pace
Vessel Model: Mainship
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 68
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Thanks Al. No deck hatch. If I can't clear the suspected blockage the easy way I may have to try to re-do my vent lines. Hoping to avoid that if possible.
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09-18-2016, 09:04 PM
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#8
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TF Site Team
City: Seneca Lake NY
Vessel Name: Bacchus
Vessel Model: MS 34 HT Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,808
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I've had success w/ wet dry vac sucking on diesel vent to free it up.
I resisted blowing as it would push whatever is blocking it into the tank
__________________
Don
2008 MS 34 HT Trawler
"Bacchus"
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09-18-2016, 09:11 PM
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#9
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Veteran Member
City: Elkton
Vessel Name: Change of Pace
Vessel Model: Mainship
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 68
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Interesting Bacchus! Certainly worth a try. Thank you.
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09-19-2016, 10:26 AM
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#10
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,869
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SKS
No Capt.Bill11, it doesn't. It's a small knob with a gap on the bottom and a concentric knob within. Protruding about 1 1/2 " from the hull below the fuel filler.
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Some vents have a cap that unscrews. If yours fits this description, unscrew the cap and you should be able to figure out how to clear the vent. If you can match your so one in a store, read the directions on the one in the store.
You certainly don't have to replace the vent line just because the thru hull is clogged.
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09-19-2016, 10:46 AM
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#11
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Guru
City: Carefree, Arizona
Vessel Name: sunchaser V
Vessel Model: DeFever 48 (sold)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,179
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Why do you suspect the vent line is clogged?
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09-19-2016, 12:17 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: DreamQuest
Vessel Model: Prairie 36
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 550
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Had the same issue recently. You could hear the air coming out of the fuel fill and then some fuel during refueling. No screens on my vents.
Got a piece of SS wire and was able to dig out a significant spider's nest.
No problem refueling after that. Keep the SS wire in my tool box for the next time.
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09-19-2016, 12:58 PM
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#13
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Veteran Member
City: Elkton
Vessel Name: Change of Pace
Vessel Model: Mainship
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 68
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Thanks guys. I'll try all of the above. I suspect it's blocked due to "burping" of fuel near top off and no "weepage" at vent. Also, the port side always takes less fuel so I figure a blocked vent is causing a slight vacuum as fuel is used making the fuel flow from the starboard tank easier by comparison.
Thoughts?
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09-22-2016, 09:20 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
City: Patterson, LA
Vessel Name: Last Tango
Vessel Model: Ocean 40 + 2 Trawler Yacht
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 112
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SKS
Thanks guys. I'll try all of the above. I suspect it's blocked due to "burping" of fuel near top off and no "weepage" at vent. Also, the port side always takes less fuel so I figure a blocked vent is causing a slight vacuum as fuel is used making the fuel flow from the starboard tank easier by comparison.
Thoughts?
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Shop vac keeps my tank vents clear. South Louisiana mud-dobbers fill every hole. lol
On Tango, my generator pulls from the Stbd tank, so I also always need more fuel on starboard.
I also have vacuum Gage's on both engines to monitor fuel filters and the benefit also tells me if a vent is blocked.
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09-23-2016, 06:16 AM
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#15
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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A tank burping can be caused by a long tank as it gets really full.
Air is trapped on one end for a while if the boat is not level.
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09-23-2016, 07:47 AM
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#16
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Veteran Member
City: Elkton
Vessel Name: Change of Pace
Vessel Model: Mainship
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 68
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Good stuff! Thank you guys.
I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I'm learning alot from this forum.
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09-23-2016, 08:07 AM
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#17
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Guru
City: Melbourne, FL
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,731
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacchus
I've had success w/ wet dry vac sucking on diesel vent to free it up.
I resisted blowing as it would push whatever is blocking it into the tank
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I would be careful vacuuming a fuel line, since that might pass fuel vapor past the motor with sparks from the brushes... kaboom!
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09-23-2016, 08:17 AM
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#18
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Guru
City: Cary, NC
Vessel Name: Skinny Dippin'
Vessel Model: Navigator 4200 Classic
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,841
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stubones99
I would be careful vacuuming a fuel line, since that might pass fuel vapor past the motor with sparks from the brushes... kaboom!
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I don't think the threat is there with diesel fuel, but congratulaions on your 666th post!!! You devil you :-)
__________________
2000 Navigator 4200 Classic
(NOT a trawler)
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10-12-2016, 11:47 AM
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#19
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Guru
City: Punta Gorda, fl
Vessel Name: Escapade
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37 2002
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,231
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Check and make sure your air vent line run from the tank to the vent is always Above or geographically higher than your fuel fill hose. The blockage you are experiencing could be a low hanging vent hose. It was on mine. After a deck full of fuel spill I discovered the problem.
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10-12-2016, 02:05 PM
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#20
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Veteran Member
City: Elkton
Vessel Name: Change of Pace
Vessel Model: Mainship
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 68
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Pgitug,
Thanks for the input. I'll look into that.
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