Switching Gas Tanks Problem-Or is it just me?

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foursail22701

foursail22701

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May 17, 2012
22
Macgregor 26M Lake Anna, VA
It's happened again. Ran out of fuel this weekend and tried to move the fuel line from tank 1 (empty) to tank 2 (full). We have a Macgregor 26 and use the red 6 gallon plastic tanks. We have the fuel line with squeeze bulb in the middle.

After the switch to the tank with gas, the engine would not start up. After about 10 minutes and a dozen or so tries, the engine fired up briefly and then died 30 seconds later (most likely the remnants of fuel in the line). Just filled up tank 2 the day before with marine fuel, and vented out the air (there was a lot of air!). I will be the first to admit that perhaps this is operator error but would like to avoid future mistakes.

When I remove the 2 pronged connector from tank 1 and move it to tank 2, I am pushing it into the proper connector and squeeze the bulb. The bulb was mostly flat and would not fill up (eventually it did when I bled out the air). There is a small lever with a spring, what does this do? What am I doing wrong here?

Thanks!
 
C

Calif. Ted

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Jun 8, 2004
2,955
Catalina 320 Dana Point
There is a small lever with a spring, what does this do?
If on the black connector it is usually a lock to maintain an airtight seal, if it isn't engaging it would create the problem you describe. Maybe compare how that connector goes together on both tanks.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
foursail22701 said:
Ron--thanks for the suggestion. Where can I find the O ring?
Click to expand
People usually put the connectors together dry, and that can turn the O ring. A little spit would lubricate it enough. If you can pop it out, it may restore to"O". If not, most hardwares would have one in the plumbing aisle.
 
foursail22701

foursail22701

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May 17, 2012
22
Macgregor 26M Lake Anna, VA
Calif. Ted said:
There is a small lever with a spring, what does this do?
If on the black connector it is usually a lock to maintain an airtight seal, if it isn't engaging it would create the problem you describe. Maybe compare how that connector goes together on both tanks.
Click to expand
On the 2nd tank, it would not lock on....I could just pull the connector off.
Next trip to the marina I will check and see if it fits on the first tank without pulling off.

Is the spring lock difficult to fix or replace? Suggestions on how to do so?
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
We only use one fuel tank in our outboard powered trailerable. It is a smalish 3.5 gallon unit. Any extra fuel we carry in 5 gallon jerry cans tied to the lifelines. We time our fuel consumption and around every three hours of motoring we stop to refuel. Our engine is a two stroke so we add oil and gas to refill the tank. One reason why we do not premix oil with the gas is that at the end of the trip whatever gas is left goes into the tank of the tow vehicle. I would recommend you do not let the fuel tank go empty before switching to the 2nd one. This would avoid letting the engine fuel system and supply line go dry.
 
foursail22701

foursail22701

.
May 17, 2012
22
Macgregor 26M Lake Anna, VA
Benny17441 said:
We only use one fuel tank in our outboard powered trailerable. It is a smalish 3.5 gallon unit. Any extra fuel we carry in 5 gallon jerry cans tied to the lifelines. We time our fuel consumption and around every three hours of motoring we stop to refuel. Our engine is a two stroke so we add oil and gas to refill the tank. One reason why we do not premix oil with the gas is that at the end of the trip whatever gas is left goes into the tank of the tow vehicle. I would recommend you do not let the fuel tank go empty before switching to the 2nd one. This would avoid letting the engine fuel system and supply line go dry.
Click to expand

I typically do the same thing. Run on one tank and fill it up after one or two outings with smaller 2 gallon tank. Only the 2nd time this season that I hooked up the 2nd tank and both times it didn't work. Was somewhat surprised that the gas ran out so quickly.
Now that I know when the tank is almost empty, I will switch tanks immediately (assuming I can get the 2nd one to work!) or carry a portable to fill it up.
 
W

Winkfish

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Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
Sounds like a faulty connection on the second tank. If the two parts don't go together just right, you're not going to get the fuel.

My fuel line connections are the "twist" kind of quick connect - you push the male and female together and turn to lock. Has worked like a charm. They seem to be more simple, and therefore possibly more reliable than the kind you describe. You might consider switching to those.
 
T

twalker H260

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Dec 2, 2003
764
Hunter 260 winnipeg, Manitoba
What kind of outboard do you have? The tank fittins for my yamaha are very similar to mercury fitting. In fact there are some fittings that are marked yamaha/mercury. There are other fittings that are mercury only and will not fit the yamaha.
 
finding41

finding41

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Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
Timely thread!
Lately I've been having a stalling problem with my "new" (I traded my short merc 7.5 for a long merc 8hp Mid 80's twist gear and throttle.) I was thinking I got a raw deal.
I will replace my O ring on the tank side tomorrow and see it that does it. (The one at he motor is new.)
I didn't thiink of the O ring. I was thinking along the lines of the filter being plugged. But it can't be that if the bulb is empty.
I guess if the O ring doesn't fix the problem I will check the feed line in the tank for leaks. Probably best to replace it anyway.
 
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