What's The Secret For Filling Up Gas Tank?

[jjc]

Last weekend I had to fill up my new '05 Maristar 210 for the first time. After watching the pump pass the $65 mark quickly, then $70, I thought I was starting to feel real pain - that was until it hit the magic $78 ball burner mark ! At $78 I heard a quick bubbling noise and then about two galloms of 92 octane sprayed out all over my shorts (and more important - the boys ) Oh what a burning sensation that was - I had to get to the ramp quickly to jump in the water, in fear that a nut fire was about to break out in my shorts . So, until someone comes up with a better idea, the old Maristar is only gettin' about $60 max at a time. One more fill-up and kids will definetly be out of the future .

[east tx skier]

This is a MC issue. I think I remember someone saying you could loop your fuel line a while back, but barring that, just pump slow and listen for that high pitched whistle of fuel coming up the line is all I can suggest. $78! Whoa!

[dwe]

That happened to me too on my first fill up. I fill up on the way back from each outing, so we only use 8-10 gallons. I sit in the boat while someone pumps, wait till it gets close to what I think will fill it, then turn the key to on. I watch the gauge, and when it reaches full, I say stop. Haven't gushed since.

[Stritt]

The loop in the gas line was a fix on my 96 205. On our 03 197 my son was sprayed with gas as he was asking me for candy at the gas station.......Not good! My new term to him is "Jacob, stay back dad is filling the gas tank, soon it will explode like a volcano".

I have spoke with MC, and they are looking into this issue.........I will be at the factory next Friday dropping my boat off and this is one of my many issues. Hopefully the problem will be corrected.

[NeilM]

jjc,

You just can't fill em at "wide open throttle" on the nozzle. I wrap a couple of paper towels snugly around the nozzle while I'm filling, that way, if it does bubble up, the paper towels will stop the gas from spilling out.

After a few fills, you become accustomed to when it starts 'burbling' way down in the filler pipe. Stop filling at that point... let the 'burbling' stop, then re-start the nozzle on the slowest setting for the rest of the fill. I musta burned 500gals in our '02 MariStar 210 this summer, so I got pretty good at it.
Any spills on the fiberglass are easily diluted by your tears as you reach for your wallet...
It's not just MC... lots of boats require intricate procedures at the pump.. Some have to face uphill, some downhill (our MariStar fills better on a slight decline).

[Stritt]

Anyone ever check with G&T Industries (manufacture of the vinyl) and see what the effect gas has on vinyl?..........I have.

I know this has been covered before on the old board, but I am going to say it again. I did not spend 50K on a boat, so that I can baby the gas nozzle. Ever notice that your vehicle is also a self venting set-up? When's the last time you filled the family ride and got spattered with gas when the tank is 3/4 full? The hose from my tank to spout is maybe one foot within a 6" rise.

Terrible...Terrible...Terrible.

Again, very embarassing to have fuel spill everywhere. I will concede that if I fill the boat on the slowest pump feed it is not as bad. Then again my boat has about a 19-20 gallon tank, so I get to fill the thirsty LQ9 a little more often and consequently also get more erruptions.

My advice to MC. If the new design is not working as designed then go back to the days of having a seperate vent on the back of the boat. Even though this also spit fuel it was on the fiberglass, not on the vinyl and fiberglass. And yes, my vinyl is showing the effects as well as my rubrail and trailer.

Sorry, I had to vent....ummmm....no pun intended.

[ski_king]

Originally Posted by 35th_197

My advice to MC. If the new design is not working as designed then go back to the days of having a seperate vent on the back of the boat.

I wonder if the newer vent (or ventless) design is a new EPA regulation. I have noticed new gas cans no longer have a seperate vent.

Originally Posted by 35th_197

Sorry, I had to vent....ummmm....no pun intended.

But a good pun

[mitch]

Not just MC having that problem. I've seen it on Bu and CC as well. I use the listen very carefully method, and almost never spill.

[Rockman]

Same problem exists on the 40 gallon tank on our Barefoot200. Had the boat since '96 and am just getting close to figuring out the stop mark. We generally fill ours up at our dock with 5 gallon containers using a supercyphon (sp?). Also, built a funnel that attached to our lift and that works out well.

But when we take the boat the the gas station we just stuff some paper towels around the opeing and slowly fill up the tank.

I used to have a client that made hoses and couplings for alot of the big steel companies and also various other customers that needed high temperature rated hoses. They did not have a clear hose rated for gas. That would have been an easy fix. That way you could see when the overflow was about to come.

I have the same problem on my 2001 Maristar, after the volcano I now end up not getting it full. Leave it 1/8 to 1/4 from full. If anyone gets it fixed would like to see that.