Fuel Vent Whistle Warning

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 11:45 pm

Just a heads up, not sure if anyone else has an inline fuel whistle installed in their fuel tank vent line. When I was going through my pre-launch check list and was checking my fuel lines, my inline fuel vent whistle (Which was two pieces molded seam in the center) split in half in my hand. I made a temporary repair until I could obtain a replacement, and purchased this unit http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... _sku=44420 Which is one piece. While I was at it I also replaced my vent line and hose clamps as well.

For those of you who don't know how it works, when you're fueling your boat, it makes an audible whistle. When your tank is just about filled, the tone of the whistle changes so you don't overfill the tank. Not sure if anyone else has one, but if you do I'd check to see if it's a two piece unit. If it had failed it have caused an extremely dangerous situation.

Matt

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:59 am

Never heard of them but sounds like a good idea.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:47 am

I Put in a racor system that has a check valve that stops fuel from flowing out the vents , Diesel fuel foams so I used to get fuel spiting out way before it was full .

these are not cheap and there are others , but Boat Us did a test and the racor di far better then the rest

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10410

Old Flame · Post by **Old Flame** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:24 pm

I installed the same vent whistle shown in the West Marine site. I had problems hearing the gas coming up the fill pipe and would always have some shoot out the vent and into the water. The only problem is the whistle sound is very annoying, but it keeps all the dogs away. :lol:

Along with the vent whistle, I also use a No Spill Fuel Saver catch bottle over the vent.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... &langId=-1

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:20 pm

My marina uses the No Spill unit along with listening for the air flow sound to change at the vent. Seems to work pretty well.
This process still means on my F32 that fuel is in the vent line and when I fill before docking I still run into fuel spills due to heat expansion..... so I try when possible to fill up prior to an excursion rather than after.
There are some times when I need to be full for an early departure so cannot always follow that regimen.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:45 pm

I use a check valve system I got west. Works ok not a 100 0/0 all the time. But if any gets out its just a small amount ( I bet that's what BP said to).

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:36 am

Got the whistle on my 26 .. works great .. but it does freak people out at the gas station! I've seen people jump in their cars and take off in hysteria, thinking my boat is about to blow up!

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:33 pm

It does grab attention, but it does a good job. Though I was kind of surprised that the original one was two pieces. Glad I gave it a tug.