S l o w Fuel fill - Solved!

[jcollins]

Is it my boat or do others have this problem?
There is a lip below the threads that won't allow the fuel nozzle to get into the filler pipe. Because of this fuel is backing up. I have filled 3 times since I bought the boat. This past weekend it was sooo slow I gave up at 40 gallons. The guy at the fuel pier told me they had problems this past week with other boats too. Something about air in the fuel lines? The last time it took me about 20-30 minutes to pump 77 gallons.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what was your fix. I'm used to sticking the nozzle in and opening it up.

[Mariner]

If I'm understanding you correctly, it sounds like your fuel dock has an oversized nozzle that is intended to flow fuel at a very high rate for large boats. A standard fuel station pump flows 10gpm, while the larger ones will flow anywhere from 20-30gpm. The larger nozzle doesn't fit in the smaller deck fills. Ask the fuel dock if they have a pump with a smaller nozzle and you should be able to put it in the deck fill and leave it like normal. Most fuel docks have nozzles of each size, to accomodate different sized boats.

If you can't do this, your only option would be to upgrade your deck fill and hoses.

[Denis]

I agree with Mariner, the fuel dock should have two pumps, one hi volume and one low volume. Different size hoses and supplys.
Unless someone changed your fill hose on the boat and put the wrong size on or something like that, but thats unlikely.

[Tuxedo]

If you're using the low volume pump and still have problems, you probably have a low point in the fuel vent line that has fuel trapped in it. That was a fairly common problem in these boats.

[jcollins]

Since this is the only marina and that only pump I tried that makes sense. You would think the guy would have known this. I didn't. First time with a diesel.

Thanks guys!

[gerygarcia]

John

If it is not the case (large fuel nozzle), perhaps your fuel vent is clogged. You may have to clean the hose from the gas tank to the vent.

I had a similar problem, easily fixed by cleaning that line.
(Mine got filled with dust, old wax and muck). It slowed my filling time to almost a drip process!

To get to the hose, open the starboard back hatch. You will see the vent hose going from the tank to the vent on the starbord stern cleat area.

Make sure there are no kinks in the hose (that may be the problem).
If there are no kinks, remove (carefully) the hose - ONLY from the gas tank side.
It may be gross, but I did the "blow gun" method of cleaning the problem area. It cleared the problem after a few big puffs.

Hope this helps!

Gery Garcia
'Resolution'

[Veebyes2]

I have a similar problem on one of the tanks of my Chesapeake deadrise workboat. Kinked or partially blocked ventline. Just takes a bit longer to fill.

[Elizabeth Ann]

I have a similar problem. The pump I use is fast (this particular gas dock frequently fills large sportfishers). However, if I pump too fast it will back up and blow the vent. I think it's a result of a turn in the tube going to the tank.

[Old Salt]

I have a 2005 Albin 28TE that was slow fueling and would bubble fuel out of the vent long before the tank was full. After checking vent lines, I found that Albin installed lines that were allowed to droop below the the top of the tank and the fittings on top of the tank, which did not allow proper venting when fueling. I used plastic tie staps around the vent lines and attached them to the deck near the drain hose which allowed me to lift the lines to provide proper venting. The slow filling problem has not returned. I took the Sassy Lassy to SC last fall and returned this year in May, fueling at different marinas up and down the AIWW and the problem did not recur.

By the way, this is my second new Albin. I prevously owned a 1989 Albin 27SC that I purchased new and operated until purchasing the 2005 28TE.

[Mariner]

We actually had a similar problem with my friend's 19' Sea Ray. It fills fine when it's on the trailer, but we filled it for the first time on the water a few weeks ago and it would only fill to about 3/4 before the fuel would start backing up and coming out of the deck fill. We will have to check the vent hose and the fill tube.

My assumption prior was that when in the water it just sat a differnt angle and would not fill as high, but now I suspect there is a problem.

[Elizabeth Ann]

I have a 2005 Albin 28TE that was slow fueling and would bubble fuel out of the vent long before the tank was full. After checking vent lines, I found that Albin installed lines that were allowed to droop below the the top of the tank and the fittings on top of the tank, which did not allow proper venting when fueling. I used plastic tie staps around the vent lines and attached them to the deck near the drain hose which allowed me to lift the lines to provide proper venting. The slow filling problem has not returned. I took the Sassy Lassy to SC last fall and returned this year in May, fueling at different marinas up and down the AIWW and the problem did not recur.

By the way, this is my second new Albin. I prevously owned a 1989 Albin 27SC that I purchased new and operated until purchasing the 2005 28TE.

Thanks for the suggestion Old Salt. I'll have to look into it.

Cheers!

[jcollins]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be at the boat tomorrow and will check things out.

[tomcat rio]

it only took 50 gal while the flow scan said 95 were consumed. the gage only read 7/8 full. i'm gonna check the geometry on the fill lines as learned here. this place is a great help.
ed flanagan

[jcollins]

Found that the vent line was under the top of the tank. Rerouted and blew some air through the line. Also removed the cap on the vent while fueling. Seemed to work. 75 gallons in about 15 minutes. That's fine for me. The guys are the fuel dock were happy too. Last week it took 40 minutes to pump 34 gallons.

Thanks for all your suggestions. That's why we need this board!

[Old Salt]

Maybe we should report the fuel vent lines to Albin. It appears to me that several Albin 28 owners have experienced the problem. Maybe the factory could review their installation process and prevent others from experiencing the same fueling problems.