Fill Er Up

[Kevin Henderson]

 
I was reading in another forum about the process of filling up the fuel tank and how it is not the same as at my local gas station.  Having bought my boat recently and with a half of a tank, I would like to go to the fuel dock and "fill er up".
With the water, I simply fill till I am full.  
Is there a specific or preferred technique for fueling the C34 or tricks of the trade that other owners use?
What should I know?
I know its probably a simple and stupid question but I'm still learning.

[Steve Sayian]

Kevin,

I fill the tank very, very slowly as the diesel fuel foams quite a bit and will kick back.

My C-30 had a whistle on the vent hose that stopped when the tank was full but this boat doesn't.

I turn the ignition switch on and keep an eye on the fuel gage and also listen to the fuel going in and when it statrs to sound like it's coming back up the fill pipe, I stop.

Hope that helps.

Steve

[Ted Pounds]

The problem I always had was that the vent was below the level of the filler.  So it's very easy to spill fuel out the vent.  So go slowly and listen for the sound change as the tank gets near full.  Have someone standing by with a rag in case you don't shut it off in time.  DON'T try to top it off.

[Ken Juul]

Water tanks are easy.   Depending on your tank configuration the aft tank normally will gravity fill the front/side tank.  So I normally fill the front/side tank first.  Fill it until water comes out the vent.  Good way to ensure the vent is clear.  Once the front/side tank is full, do the same for the rear.  Lots of different water tank management systems in use, as you read the board you will come across them.  Use the one that works for you.

Concur with the above for fueling.  Don't forget to add your Cetane booster/stabilizer and if needed algacide before you add the fuel so it washes down the fill pipe.

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

Although there are strict laws about spilling even a few drops of fuel, it's hard sometimes to listen to the vent and stop fueling before a little comes out the vent. Most of us have done it at some point.
You just need to go slow and listen for ANY noise or gurgling coming from the vent. It also helps if you have a helper that can hold a rag under the vent to catch any accidents.
There are also plastic containers that fit over the vent with suction cups to catch the spills, but I couldn't get one to work on my boat because of the split backstay mounting bolts are in the way.
Filling via jerry can is even harder because the air vents out of the fill cap rather then the vent.
Just take your time and do the best you can.

[Exodus]

I just turn the key to the "on" position periodically during the fueling process to check the fuel gauge.  When I get to a little over 3/4 slow down and continue process checking more often until full.

[Jim Hardesty]

I keep a log of engine hours and fuel used so I can estimate how much to pump in.  I don't quite have it right yet but it's about .7 gal/hour.
Jim

[Joe Kern]

I do it by sound when I fuel at a fuel dock.  However, I try to avoid the fuel dock since all the fuel pumps here are set up to pump 500 + gallons at a time and the flow rate is very hard to control when I am trying to top off 8 gallons in my tank.  It is just as easy to use 5 gallon diesel plastic cans thanks to the "miracle" of the magic siphon hose.  http://www.amazon.com/Safety-Siphon-Self-Priming-00101/dp/B000BG1X54 Never spilled a drop. 

[Roger Blake]

I go slow and watch the gallons going in (I have a good idea of how many gallons I'll need). There will be a tone change when you get right to full. I always wrap a thick paper towel around the vent and have spray cleaner ready if needed.

[Ron Hill]

Kevin : Don't count on the fuel gage as you have an asymmetrical shaped fuel tank!!!
You need to calculate fuel needs by using .5gal/hr fuel consumption.  When you fill be-sure to "let the foam" go down(dissipate) before filling the last gallon.  Take take a fuel diaper and hold it over the fuel tank vent for the last gallon.  a few thoughts

[Stu Jackson]

Kevin, determine your fuel use by keeping track of your engine hours and fuel fills.  This will take a few fill ups.  Regardless of whether you have a working gauge or not, use that as a yardstick of how much you need and simply go very slowly for the last gallon or two.  My fuel gauge hasn't worked since 1492, I don't need one.   0.493 gallons per hour for our M25 over 12+ years.  I could care less about the inoperative gauge.  The fuel gauge, as Ron says, is asymmetrical!!!  Your mileage may vary - no pun intended.  Larger engines use more fuel.

Do a search on fuel gauge or fuel gage.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3824.0.html

Fuel Log form:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3841.0.html

Kevin, no stupid questions, ever.  Just try a search first, you'll be amazed at what you find.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5260.0.html

[RV61]

Kevin,
I do not totally top off as iIdo ith my car as desiel expands as it warms up. I once topped off and found in the heat of the summer deisel came out the vent two days later.
A thought.

[yuriart10]

Kevin, determine your fuel use by keeping track of your engine hours and fuel fills.  This will take a few fill ups.  Regardless of whether you have a working gauge or not, use that as a yardstick of how much you need and simply go very slowly for the last gallon or two.  My fuel gauge hasn't worked since 1492, I don't need one.   0.493 gallons per hour for our M25 over 12+ years.  I could care less about the inoperative gauge.  The fuel gauge, as Ron says, is asymmetrical!!!  Your mileage may vary - no pun intended.  Larger engines use more fuel.

Do a search on fuel gauge or fuel gage.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3824.0.html

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3841.0.html

Kevin, no stupid questions, ever.  Just try a search first, you'll be amazed at what you find.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5260.0.html

Thanks for sharing.

[Exodus]

Great ideas guys.  I guess I should start keeping a fuel log as well. 
I did have some doubts as to the accuracy of the fuel gauge, but have only filled up once so far on this boat.