OUTBOARD MOTOR FUEL TANK

[bellamia]

Hi all
nearly got my small yacht ready for the water after a full refit. I was wondering about mounting the outboard fuel tank, does it matter at what height this is mounted? as im hoping to mount it inside one of the cockpit lockers. The motor is a Honda 10hp 4 stroke. Will the fuel pump on the outboard draw the fuel up ok from a lower position once its primed? Thanks in advance

 

[machurley22]

Don't know the Honda but it shouldn't be a problem. My Yamaha 8 lifts fuel about a foot and most small outboards will have the carb above a remote tank.

Dave

 

[VicS]

No experiece of that particular engine but during laying up preparation I run my 'Rude in a tank of water with the fuel tank on the ground and have experienced no problems lifting the fuel that distance. Small air leaks at the engine connection could be a problem though if the seals start to age.

If you are mounting the tank in a locker will it be easily removed for filling? How will it be vented? Not via the vented cap into the locker I hope!

Or are you intending to fit a proper fixed fuel tank with filling and venting connections.

I have for many years considered mounting the tank in a locker but the above considerations have put me off

 

[davidwf]

Got my fuel tank inside a locker for a Honda 6 works fine. think its about 2ft from bottom of locker to engine head

 

[graham]

Yes it will draw the fuel up. If you have a fuel tank in a locker make sure the locker is well sealed off from the rest of the boat and doesnt have any electrical connections or batteries in it for obvious reasons.

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
Got my fuel tank inside a locker for a Honda 6 works fine. think its about 2ft from bottom of locker to engine head

[/ QUOTE ]

Same for my Honda 5hp. I have replaced the tank cap with one with an outlet elbow ( I made that from a chemical tank cap and a cap valve from a brake-bleeding kit - look at one and you'll see what I mean) and some small diameter plastic fuel tank vent pipe (think Mini, - real one, not BMW) which exits the locker through a small hole in the transom above the hull/deck joint (my cockpit coaming is about 5" high). Just be carefull that it's not too close to the outboard motor's tiller handle. Even if it's not used in your installation. The fuel vapour attacks the plastic throttle grip and makes it sticky.
Seems to work fine. No fuel fumes in the cockpit locker. Battery is seldom used and is in a forward locker in the interest of trim.
I leave the vented cap on the boat and refit the old cap to take the tank ashore to fill at the garage.

 

[bellamia]

Thanks for your help, i can know carry on & fit tank & will vent it through transom.