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Author Topic:   Gasoline Storage In Vented Tanks

Nemesis posted 08-08-2010 02:18 PM ET (US)
My father is being nice enough to allow me to store my Montauk in his garage. Regarding the fuel tank and safety, should the fuel vent valve be left open when in storage in a garage or should I tighten it? Also, I lifted up the top casing on my Yamaha 60-HP four-cycle and noticed a strong smell of gasoline. This only happened when I lifted off the top cover. When covered, there was no fuel smell. Is this normal? I checked the hoses and there did not appear to be any leaks. Will this be a problem when storing the boat in an enclosed area like a garage?
TC posted 08-08-2010 06:36 PM ET (US)
In the garage I would leave the vent closed. The smell with the cover off was probably the gas in the carburetors evaporating: normal, nothing to worry about. If it will sit for a while, make sure you have Stabil or Seafoam in the gas or the evaporated gas will leave behind varnish.
jimh posted 08-08-2010 06:53 PM ET (US)
What is the capacity of the fuel tank?
Nemesis posted 08-08-2010 06:55 PM ET (US)
I don't recall. I think it's the standard size tank that came with the montauk. Perhaps 30 gallons? Does that sound about right?
jimh posted 08-08-2010 07:10 PM ET (US)
I have never seen a boat builder deliver a boat with on-deck fuel tanks larger than 6-gallons, so a 30-gallon tank does not sound right.
Now that we know you have a 30-gallon tank, I guess the next question is how much fuel is in it? If the tank is nearly full, there will be expansion of the fuel with temperature. If the tank vent is closed, you could build up pressure in the fuel system. This will just force fuel toward the motor, where it will probably reach the carburetors and then evaporate.
Nemesis posted 08-08-2010 07:48 PM ET (US)
The tank looks like this one but is older. I thought it was a 30 gallon. Maybe I'm wrong?
[Deleted ridiculously long URI.]
Nemesis posted 08-10-2010 12:32 PM ET (US)
So no opinions on this matter? Thought I would get some feedback on this one...
Buckda posted 08-10-2010 12:43 PM ET (US)
Vent closed. just remember to open the vent before you go boating.
tjxtreme posted 08-10-2010 12:48 PM ET (US)
Just keep an eye on it if you keep it closed, especially if it will get warm. I came out one day and my 6 gallon tank looked like a football.
Stevebaz posted 08-10-2010 02:49 PM ET (US)
There are a couple of issues.
Are there sources of ignition like a water heater, furnace, and laundry facilities? Is the garage properly vented at the floor level as required if there are sources of ignition?
If it was my situation I would close the vent and disconnect the fuel line from the motor assuming you have a quick disconnect that seals when removed. I would also make sure the garage is vented at the floor and at the roof. Proper venting at the floor will let gas fumes escape since gasoline vapor is heavier than air. The garage vent at roof/ceiling height will keep temperature spike from the heat of the day from building up and causing more fuel expansion. You can also vent the tank outside if there is a great safety concern. hook up a vent line through the garage wall. Your concerns on venting are big issues when there are people living on the other side of the wall or there are sources of ignition. All garages are not created equal. Most modern garages are built with these issues in mind with proper venting, fire doors and fire code drywall but older garages /outbuildings can vary and we can't assume you can store vented gasoline in them.
Steve

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Author	Topic: Gasoline Storage In Vented Tanks
Nemesis	posted 08-08-2010 02:18 PM ET (US) My father is being nice enough to allow me to store my Montauk in his garage. Regarding the fuel tank and safety, should the fuel vent valve be left open when in storage in a garage or should I tighten it? Also, I lifted up the top casing on my Yamaha 60-HP four-cycle and noticed a strong smell of gasoline. This only happened when I lifted off the top cover. When covered, there was no fuel smell. Is this normal? I checked the hoses and there did not appear to be any leaks. Will this be a problem when storing the boat in an enclosed area like a garage?
TC	posted 08-08-2010 06:36 PM ET (US) In the garage I would leave the vent closed. The smell with the cover off was probably the gas in the carburetors evaporating: normal, nothing to worry about. If it will sit for a while, make sure you have Stabil or Seafoam in the gas or the evaporated gas will leave behind varnish.
jimh	posted 08-08-2010 06:53 PM ET (US) What is the capacity of the fuel tank?
Nemesis	posted 08-08-2010 06:55 PM ET (US) I don't recall. I think it's the standard size tank that came with the montauk. Perhaps 30 gallons? Does that sound about right?
jimh	posted 08-08-2010 07:10 PM ET (US) I have never seen a boat builder deliver a boat with on-deck fuel tanks larger than 6-gallons, so a 30-gallon tank does not sound right. Now that we know you have a 30-gallon tank, I guess the next question is how much fuel is in it? If the tank is nearly full, there will be expansion of the fuel with temperature. If the tank vent is closed, you could build up pressure in the fuel system. This will just force fuel toward the motor, where it will probably reach the carburetors and then evaporate.
Nemesis	posted 08-08-2010 07:48 PM ET (US) The tank looks like this one but is older. I thought it was a 30 gallon. Maybe I'm wrong? [Deleted ridiculously long URI.]
Nemesis	posted 08-10-2010 12:32 PM ET (US) So no opinions on this matter? Thought I would get some feedback on this one...
Buckda	posted 08-10-2010 12:43 PM ET (US) Vent closed. just remember to open the vent before you go boating.
tjxtreme	posted 08-10-2010 12:48 PM ET (US) Just keep an eye on it if you keep it closed, especially if it will get warm. I came out one day and my 6 gallon tank looked like a football.
Stevebaz	posted 08-10-2010 02:49 PM ET (US) There are a couple of issues. Are there sources of ignition like a water heater, furnace, and laundry facilities? Is the garage properly vented at the floor level as required if there are sources of ignition? If it was my situation I would close the vent and disconnect the fuel line from the motor assuming you have a quick disconnect that seals when removed. I would also make sure the garage is vented at the floor and at the roof. Proper venting at the floor will let gas fumes escape since gasoline vapor is heavier than air. The garage vent at roof/ceiling height will keep temperature spike from the heat of the day from building up and causing more fuel expansion. You can also vent the tank outside if there is a great safety concern. hook up a vent line through the garage wall. Your concerns on venting are big issues when there are people living on the other side of the wall or there are sources of ignition. All garages are not created equal. Most modern garages are built with these issues in mind with proper venting, fire doors and fire code drywall but older garages /outbuildings can vary and we can't assume you can store vented gasoline in them. Steve