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Author Topic:   Fueling Problem - 220 Dauntless

dmeswi posted 10-09-2006 11:13 AM ET (US)
I recently bought a new 220 Dauntless and after a couple of trips into the bay, I took it to the gas station. After putting in about 2 gallons it started to burp up gas. I then tried to put the fuel in very slowly and everytime I shut off the nozzle, it would spew a few drops or ounces. After putting in 32 gallons this long and tedious way I feel something is wrong.
I checked the Continuous Wave site and found the same problem with a new 220 Dauntless was reported back in 2004.
Has a solution to the problem been found? Does anyone have suggestions?
Dennis
JMARTIN posted 10-09-2006 02:12 PM ET (US)
It sounds like the vent is too small, or not working. Can you blow air into the vent? John
fno posted 10-09-2006 07:15 PM ET (US)
It could be the vent. Not likely with a new boat, but possible. Do like john suggests and also look behind that round access port under the fuel fill to see if the vent hose is kinked. Don't know if you have mud dawbers (wasps) where you live but it is possible for them to close off that vent hose while the boat was on the dealers lot. If the vent line is clear then go to the gas station fill your truck/car, go inside to get some chips/nuts and a sixpack of beer, go back out and pump your gas into the boat. The time spent inside will allow the sloshing in the tank to subside and you will most likely get a quick fill.
Lars Simonsen posted 10-09-2006 09:48 PM ET (US)
This is a common problem with the Dauntless fuel tanks. The solution is to take a rag, paper towel, or something similar and wrap the fuel nozzle so that when you stick it into the fill hole, it "seals" the space around the nozzle and the fill hole. That way, when you pump the fuel into the tank, it forces the air through the vent, rather than the fuel wanting to "burp" back up the fill port. I just use the paper towels that they have at most gas stations. Usually, you don't even get any fuel on it unless you fill the tank all the way up. I think the problem is related to a "self venting" fuel cap they used. My boat's a 1998, and I guess they still haven't fixed it. However, using a rag as I suggested fixes it, and you shouldn't have any more problems filling the tank if you do it that way. Another thing is to try to have the rear of the boat higher than the front when you fill up.
Milepost43 posted 10-09-2006 10:00 PM ET (US)
My 04 220 has the same problem. Talked to my dealer, BW, posted here...no solution....except the paper towel route. Guess nobody at BW ever fills one up!!!!!!!!!!!!
ConnorEl posted 10-09-2006 10:15 PM ET (US)
I had given up filling my Dauntless (2000) at a fuel pump because of the problem outlined above. Then I read here about the “wrap the nozzle with a towel” approach. I tried it and the solution worked wonderfully well.
I can’t believe Boston Whaler hasn’t fixed the problem over the years.
fno posted 10-10-2006 12:04 PM ET (US)
I think they did fix it for a while by installing a separate vent on the side of the boat, and then one of their idiot engineers spec'd that piece of crap fuel cap that incorporates the vent line again. Probably to save a manufacturing process and the vent cap. Take it back to the dealer and tell him how you are going to sue him when the boat, trailer, truck and the gas station go up in flames sometime soon. He will most likely put a separate vent in for you.
rumrunner posted 10-10-2006 09:04 PM ET (US)
I second the "wrap your nozzle" technique. I also took it one step further, and bought one of those suction cup fuel catchers that goes over the vent to catch overflow gas. Works like a charm, and has saved a lot of spilled gas for me. The vent always seems to have a slug of gas in it (97 Outrage 20), and once it is blown out, the tank fills fine.
Steve M posted 10-10-2006 09:08 PM ET (US)
I have a 2003 220 Dauntless. Mine has a vent on the port side of the boat. When fueling at gas station I can see the fumes coming from the vent. While I do remember reading those posts of the problem, I do not recall having this issue, and I only have fueled on the trailer at a gas station. I did not realize they had gone to a vented cap solution. I wonder if a specific leveling of the boat fore and aft on the trailer, combined with the leveling of the gas station also exacerbates the problem. For example if the boat is tilted aft.
Marlin posted 10-10-2006 10:04 PM ET (US)
This problem happens sometimes on my 2003 160 Dauntless, which has a tank vent on the port topsides. It seems like fuel sometimes gets caught in a dip in the vent line, essentially blocking the vent. Now when I fuel up, I blow into the vent to clear the vent line before filling.
Oh yeah, open the filler cap first, or the vent line blows back. Yuck!
RLSmith posted 10-11-2006 01:31 PM ET (US)
I had this problem when I first purchased my 2000 Dauntless 16'. It has a stainless steel gas cap at the stern and a stainless steel vent cap on the port side amidships. After trying lots of solutions, I found that blowing into the vent after removing the gas cap works every time. I then fill up at full speed with no blowback. This works both in water and on trailer. I urge you to try. [BTW, if you are in the water be very careful when blowing the vent, not to get your head smashed between the boat and the dock. And make sure your sunglasses don't fall in the water.]
If BW has reverted back to the gas cap with integrated vent, there might not be a way to blow it clear. I have seen pictures of that but don't know where the vent exits.]
davej14 posted 10-11-2006 06:09 PM ET (US)
I also have this problem on my Dauntless 14 and will try the "blow out the vent" trick next season. If this works it would be a simple matter to hold a piece of oversized plastic tube over the vent to keep your sunglasses and head out of harms way.
nydealer posted 10-11-2006 10:13 PM ET (US)
This problem is mainly on the trailer. When the boat is in the water we have not found much of a problem. See if your trailer can be adjusted so the boat sits at the same angle as in the water.
It is my understanding that Whaler changed vent location because of Coast Guard Regulations. Fuel vents have to drain back into the fill so they don't run overboard.
SEGrin posted 10-20-2006 09:25 PM ET (US)
I have a 2000 Ventura with an external vent. The wrapped nozzle trick works great for me.
I'll run the "blow in the vent" trick past the wife ... I doubt that she'll play along with that one.

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Author	Topic: Fueling Problem - 220 Dauntless
dmeswi	posted 10-09-2006 11:13 AM ET (US) I recently bought a new 220 Dauntless and after a couple of trips into the bay, I took it to the gas station. After putting in about 2 gallons it started to burp up gas. I then tried to put the fuel in very slowly and everytime I shut off the nozzle, it would spew a few drops or ounces. After putting in 32 gallons this long and tedious way I feel something is wrong. I checked the Continuous Wave site and found the same problem with a new 220 Dauntless was reported back in 2004. Has a solution to the problem been found? Does anyone have suggestions? Dennis
JMARTIN	posted 10-09-2006 02:12 PM ET (US) It sounds like the vent is too small, or not working. Can you blow air into the vent? John
fno	posted 10-09-2006 07:15 PM ET (US) It could be the vent. Not likely with a new boat, but possible. Do like john suggests and also look behind that round access port under the fuel fill to see if the vent hose is kinked. Don't know if you have mud dawbers (wasps) where you live but it is possible for them to close off that vent hose while the boat was on the dealers lot. If the vent line is clear then go to the gas station fill your truck/car, go inside to get some chips/nuts and a sixpack of beer, go back out and pump your gas into the boat. The time spent inside will allow the sloshing in the tank to subside and you will most likely get a quick fill.
Lars Simonsen	posted 10-09-2006 09:48 PM ET (US) This is a common problem with the Dauntless fuel tanks. The solution is to take a rag, paper towel, or something similar and wrap the fuel nozzle so that when you stick it into the fill hole, it "seals" the space around the nozzle and the fill hole. That way, when you pump the fuel into the tank, it forces the air through the vent, rather than the fuel wanting to "burp" back up the fill port. I just use the paper towels that they have at most gas stations. Usually, you don't even get any fuel on it unless you fill the tank all the way up. I think the problem is related to a "self venting" fuel cap they used. My boat's a 1998, and I guess they still haven't fixed it. However, using a rag as I suggested fixes it, and you shouldn't have any more problems filling the tank if you do it that way. Another thing is to try to have the rear of the boat higher than the front when you fill up.
Milepost43	posted 10-09-2006 10:00 PM ET (US) My 04 220 has the same problem. Talked to my dealer, BW, posted here...no solution....except the paper towel route. Guess nobody at BW ever fills one up!!!!!!!!!!!!
ConnorEl	posted 10-09-2006 10:15 PM ET (US) I had given up filling my Dauntless (2000) at a fuel pump because of the problem outlined above. Then I read here about the “wrap the nozzle with a towel” approach. I tried it and the solution worked wonderfully well. I can’t believe Boston Whaler hasn’t fixed the problem over the years.
fno	posted 10-10-2006 12:04 PM ET (US) I think they did fix it for a while by installing a separate vent on the side of the boat, and then one of their idiot engineers spec'd that piece of crap fuel cap that incorporates the vent line again. Probably to save a manufacturing process and the vent cap. Take it back to the dealer and tell him how you are going to sue him when the boat, trailer, truck and the gas station go up in flames sometime soon. He will most likely put a separate vent in for you.
rumrunner	posted 10-10-2006 09:04 PM ET (US) I second the "wrap your nozzle" technique. I also took it one step further, and bought one of those suction cup fuel catchers that goes over the vent to catch overflow gas. Works like a charm, and has saved a lot of spilled gas for me. The vent always seems to have a slug of gas in it (97 Outrage 20), and once it is blown out, the tank fills fine.
Steve M	posted 10-10-2006 09:08 PM ET (US) I have a 2003 220 Dauntless. Mine has a vent on the port side of the boat. When fueling at gas station I can see the fumes coming from the vent. While I do remember reading those posts of the problem, I do not recall having this issue, and I only have fueled on the trailer at a gas station. I did not realize they had gone to a vented cap solution. I wonder if a specific leveling of the boat fore and aft on the trailer, combined with the leveling of the gas station also exacerbates the problem. For example if the boat is tilted aft.
Marlin	posted 10-10-2006 10:04 PM ET (US) This problem happens sometimes on my 2003 160 Dauntless, which has a tank vent on the port topsides. It seems like fuel sometimes gets caught in a dip in the vent line, essentially blocking the vent. Now when I fuel up, I blow into the vent to clear the vent line before filling. Oh yeah, open the filler cap first, or the vent line blows back. Yuck!
RLSmith	posted 10-11-2006 01:31 PM ET (US) I had this problem when I first purchased my 2000 Dauntless 16'. It has a stainless steel gas cap at the stern and a stainless steel vent cap on the port side amidships. After trying lots of solutions, I found that blowing into the vent after removing the gas cap works every time. I then fill up at full speed with no blowback. This works both in water and on trailer. I urge you to try. [BTW, if you are in the water be very careful when blowing the vent, not to get your head smashed between the boat and the dock. And make sure your sunglasses don't fall in the water.] If BW has reverted back to the gas cap with integrated vent, there might not be a way to blow it clear. I have seen pictures of that but don't know where the vent exits.]
davej14	posted 10-11-2006 06:09 PM ET (US) I also have this problem on my Dauntless 14 and will try the "blow out the vent" trick next season. If this works it would be a simple matter to hold a piece of oversized plastic tube over the vent to keep your sunglasses and head out of harms way.
nydealer	posted 10-11-2006 10:13 PM ET (US) This problem is mainly on the trailer. When the boat is in the water we have not found much of a problem. See if your trailer can be adjusted so the boat sits at the same angle as in the water. It is my understanding that Whaler changed vent location because of Coast Guard Regulations. Fuel vents have to drain back into the fill so they don't run overboard.
SEGrin	posted 10-20-2006 09:25 PM ET (US) I have a 2000 Ventura with an external vent. The wrapped nozzle trick works great for me. I'll run the "blow in the vent" trick past the wife ... I doubt that she'll play along with that one.