CD 25 fuel tank vents

Minnow · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 6:46 pm Post subject: CD 25 fuel tank vents

The CD 25 now comes with an aluminum 107 gal fuel tank with fills and vents on both sides. Occasionally I'll get a whiff of gas, from the vents presumably. Do you think flow-through ventilation is a good thing for a gas tank?

Les Lampman · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 9:58 pm Post subject:

Absolutely!

(shortest answer I've ever given Laughing

)

Minnow · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:29 am Post subject:

What about condensation? Do you suppose thats how all the water got in my tank?

Les Lampman · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:54 am Post subject:

No sir. On a live-aboard boat one goes through great lengths to ensure that there is complete cross ventilation in the boat. Especially offshore cruising sailboats and any boat in Southern waters. Why? To control condensation. Warm air has the ability to hold more moisture than cold air; if it has a way out it carriers the moisture away with it. If it's trapped, when it cools the moisture falls out in the form of condensation. Ventilation is good as it allows air movement and helps control condenstaion. On your fuel tank it also allows for better filling as the offside vent does a good job of allowing the slightly pressurized air in the tank during filling to escape (better than the vent nearest the filler you're using).

I believe that the water in your tank came from either one or both of the deck fill caps being loose (especially during the trip across country), from the tank sitting outside before installation with a protector missing from one (or both) of the fill hose or vent hose nipples (rain intrusion), or from perhaps a high pressure hose (during a cleanup session) being aimed toward the vents (I think this the least likely as it would take a long time to get much water in the tank).

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:58 am Post subject:

Les probably has a better answer but I'd opine that the water was not condensation. Unless the tank sat nearly empty for a long time. Tanks like to be full and they like to have things like stabilizer and "dri-gas" added occasionally. Would take an awful lot of condensation to affect things. Now if there were only 5 gallons in that 107 gal tank for a long time and the metal tank was cold when it warmed up Hot

on the outside it may have some affect.

Could someone have done some tank cleaning and not drained it all the way? Or put water in by mistake? With two filling locations, you should ensure both are clearly marked "FUEL" and ensure some idiot at some marina doesn't put diesel Crook

or water

in there instead of gasoline.

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 9:00 am Post subject:

Dang, and it's only 6AM on the left coast. Thought sure I'd beat him to an answer. Good morning Les!! Laughing

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 9:04 am Post subject:

Then again, it could be that ugly UnoAvril Vortex Effect Rolling Eyes

whereby that big Honda 150 is sucking up water in it's cooling system, porting it by reverse osmosis tangifraction Question

through the fuel pump and into your gas system and thereby into the fuel tank.

If the fuel tank seems to be getting more full the longer you run this is sure to be it!

Happy April 1!

Les Lampman · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 9:48 am Post subject:

Darn! I forgot all about that April 1st stuff! I coulda had a good time! Shocked

Except I don't want Brady to get worried and leave! Laughing

Mornin' Cap'n Thumbs Up

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 10:04 am Post subject:

Les, you still gots nearly 16 hours left to pun it up. How's that dusty dad of your'n? We sure got lots in common, Navy, Ham Radio, etc, etc. Bet he's got more hair than I have tho!

charlie

Minnow · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 9:37 am Post subject:

OK then Les, how about the fact that all cars have a pressure/vacuum regulating gas cap to prevent air pollution. For those of you who care about the environment, (I don't have kids and live in New Jersey), it seems that if the gas is oxidizing and evaporating, it isn't getting any fresher. I think I will plan to cap one of the vents, (the side with the barbeque grill), except while filling, any harm in that?