How full do I fill my diesel tank?

[captain58sailin]

I won't fill my tanks more than 90% you need to leave room for expansion when the temperature comes up, if you fill the tanks too full you can have fuel come out your vents, I have had that happen once, fortunately I had a catch pan under the vent.

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

I won't fill my tanks more than 90% you need to leave room for expansion when the temperature comes up, if you fill the tanks too full you can have fuel come out your vents, I have had that happen once, fortunately I had a catch pan under the vent.

Good point! I've never let the boat sit after filling so never really had to deal with that.

[agilmore]

A thought just hit me.

Currently my vent hose is opaque, but if it was clear, I could watch it and as soon as fuel started to appear at the bottom of it I could stop filling. That way only a half inch (or less if very careful) or so of fuel would go up the fill pipe.

FYI, my vent line is easily visible when filling the tank by opening one of the cockpit lockers. This would not work otherwise.

So, this makes me wonder if there is any clear tubing that is safe for diesel fuel?

Clear aluminum would probably work, but it hasn't been invented yet (sorry, I couldn't resist).

Alan

[Kettlewell]

Tygon.

[captain58sailin]

Yeah; I can't wait for transparent aluminum to be invented. How cool would that be to have a clear hull, you would have to spray paint the inside of the aft cabin.

[barnakiel]

We fill up and we do it by the ear. And we found the 'much fuel fast' comment above valid, in the hard way.



b.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by agilmore

Newbie question:

Everyone says keep my fuel tank full so it doesn't collect water.

Alan,

Alternatively you can also drain it. That is pretty much what I do each winter. The diesel from the boat is used in my homes oil boiler.. I usually run the tank down so I have about 5 GAL or less left in it then pump it into a 6 GAL jerry jug and pour it into the oil tank at home..

[DeepFrz]

I vote for draining it. That way you can make sure the tank is pristine every spring.

[captain58sailin]

I always mix in some "Power Service" and I have never had a problem with tank contamination.

[daddle]

I would only fill the tanks full when getting underway immediately. For a layup I would choose the empty option mentioned above. Clean and inspect during the layup.

One problem during filling is 'burping'. The vent and fill do not always work as intended and pressure builds up inside while filling. Perhaps due to trim or rolling at the berth. Then 'burp', and a big mess. Best to proceed very slowly unless you know the boat well.

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by agilmore

A thought just hit me.

Currently my vent hose is opaque, but if it was clear, I could watch it and as soon as fuel started to appear at the bottom of it I could stop filling. That way only a half inch (or less if very careful) or so of fuel would go up the fill pipe.

FYI, my vent line is easily visible when filling the tank by opening one of the cockpit lockers. This would not work otherwise.

So, this makes me wonder if there is any clear tubing that is safe for diesel fuel?

Clear aluminum would probably work, but it hasn't been invented yet (sorry, I couldn't resist).

Alan

you could always parallel a glass sight gauge into the line somewhere

[Irish rambler]

agilmore, I'd definitely go with bobconnie's advice. Keep it simple !. I've regularly explained here it's by far the most practical and effective. Another wee tip for you that may help, when filling with diesel, wet the area around the deck fitting, before, you open the fitting and start to fill. Diesel being oil, floats on water and any drops or spills can be washed of easily without staining your deck, keep a bottle of washing up liquid beside you when you fill and any spills can be quickly cleaned with a quick squirt. Being a surfactant it unlocks the molecular chain and it's bio degradeable.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Irish rambler

agilmore, I'd definitely go with bobconnie's advice. Keep it simple !. I've regularly explained here it's by far the most practical and effective. Another wee tip for you that may help, when filling with diesel, wet the area around the deck fitting, before, you open the fitting and start to fill. Diesel being oil, floats on water and any drops or spills can be washed of easily without staining your deck, keep a bottle of washing up liquid beside you when you fill and any spills can be quickly cleaned with a quick squirt. Being a surfactant it unlocks the molecular chain and it's bio degradeable.

In the US that would be illegal. You may not use a detergent to clean up diesel spills.

[David M]

I listen for the fuel coming up the fill pipe and then stop. I once made the mistake of filling it up all the way. When fuel heats it expands and I had diesel on the deck the next morning.

Ideally keep it topped up if you have that choice but you also need a water trap in your fuel filters not if, but when you get condensation in your fuel tank.

[Irish rambler]

Sorry to contradict Jackdale but they use a commercial variety (thicker) of surfactant sprayed on by tugs to disperse large oil spills. My company transports it.