Problem filling up with diesel

[colhel]

Hi, took our new to us boat to Cowes fuels to top up but i kept getting blow back through the filler which meant the pump kept cutting off or worse diesel would come back up. I tried different angles and slowing the pump but after what seemed about 10 minutes and 108 litres i gave up. Could this be breather pipe issue? engine ran fine btw or something im doing wrong.

Cheers

 

[sarabande]

Do you have multiple tanks ? Is there a diverter valve ? If so, it might be that the valve needs moving to allow fuel to flow into two tanks.

 

[andy59]

Do they have a slow pump and a fast pump Colin ?

 

[Freebee]

tank breather blocked or non existent????

 

[colhel]

Thanks,
Single tank,
I didn't ask if he had a slower pump,
I haven't investigated the breather pipe yet.

 

[luptonj]

If the same pump is used for commercial boats then you just may have too much flow.
When I fill up I'm instructed to barely turn then lever on the nozzel, it's setup for trawlers taking on a couple of thousand liters.

 

[rubberduck]

Hi, took our new to us boat to Cowes fuels to top up but i kept getting blow back through the filler which meant the pump kept cutting off or worse diesel would come back up. I tried different angles and slowing the pump but after what seemed about 10 minutes and 108 litres i gave up. Could this be breather pipe issue? engine ran fine btw or something im doing wrong.

Cheers

I had this, turned out to be the breather

 

[Elessar]

I had this, turned out to be the breather

+1. There is a fine mesh on there that clogs up. Airline inside if you can get to it.

 

[colhel]

Thanks. There's a couple of things to try, clean the breather and a slower pump.
Cheers

 

[rafiki_]

I’ve not had a problem fuelling at Cowes, other than paying.
I do get quite a lot of blowback when nearly full, which can be messy and annoying. As others have said, most probably a blocked breather Colin.

 

[Elessar]

I’ve not had a problem fuelling at Cowes, other than paying.
I do get quite a lot of blowback when nearly full, which can be messy and annoying. As others have said, most probably a blocked breather Colin.

If you have a the squirt problem the vetus anti splash device really works. High speed pumps click off when full without a drip from the filler or the breather. Just lock the pumps on and no need to worry.

They can be hard to fit on some boats due to access unfortunately., they need to fit directly under the deck filler. If you can get under the deck by your filler they are highly recommended.

https://www.vetus.com/en/fuel-systems/splash-stop-for-fuel.html

 

[Greg2]

We had a similar problem when re-fuelling in Holland several years ago. Turned out that the breather pipe ran horizontally in places and a 'sag' had filled with fuel and the air pressure wasn't sufficient to shift it. Sorted when re-furbing the boat the following winter and all good after that.

 

[NoviceRod]

I had this problem when refuelling at Brixham. I was attempting to use the 'fast'pump. Solved by using the 'slow' pump on the second tank, when I was able to leave the filler clipped open.

 

[rafiki_]

If you have a the squirt problem the vetus anti splash device really works. High speed pumps click off when full without a drip from the filler or the breather. Just lock the pumps on and no need to worry.

They can be hard to fit on some boats due to access unfortunately., they need to fit directly under the deck filler. If you can get under the deck by your filler they are highly recommended.

https://www.vetus.com/en/fuel-systems/splash-stop-for-fuel.html

Thanks Mark. Will have a look next time I’m on board.

 

[essexboy]

I had this on my boat, traced to over enthusiastic polishing . The breather mesh was coated in polish !

 

[Assassin]

Silly question but has someone fitted a canister type breather to reduce emissions of fuel vapour?

These work on a sliding ball based on tank pressure and two centralising springs, the ball may become stuck in the central position due to moisture rusting it.

When the fuel tank expands due to warm weather it expands, as it expands it creates enough pressure to overcome the springs and opens the ball and releases pressure and closes again, as the tank cools it contracts and as it contracts it creates a vacuum and opens the ball the other way and lest some air into the tank and closes again.
I haven't seen many but those I have seen are retro fitted and normally used on industrial engines, so maybe worth checking.