What I learned about the new EPA regulated gas tanks

[richg99]

My old metal tank seemed to be working fine. However, when I had the motor and tank moved over to my new hull...my mechanic noted that the prior owner had substituted a RADIATOR CAP for the properly vented gas cap.

He was surprised that the motor hadn't been stalling out after long runs. After all, a RADIATOR CAP isn't designed to properly vent.

He did say that I could probably buy a new cap someplace...but...also pointed out that 20-year-old metal tanks aren't going to last too much longer with the new ethanol mixed gasoline. He doesn't sell small tanks, so his suggestion didn't have any "buy something today" reasons attached. I've also known him for 20 years and trust him implicitly.

Before I left my mechanic's shop, he showed me one of the new tanks. It had a gizmo inserted into the fuel line that looked a lot like the regulator on my house gas system.

Off to Academy I went, where I bought a new plastic EPA approved 6-gallon tank.
Academy didn't have anything other than the tanks to sell me, so I headed home.

Remembering the "Regulator", properly known as a "Fuel Demand Valve", I decided to do some Googling. I found that anyone who installs one of these new un-vented gas tanks, and doesn't also install a FDV, can run into lots and lots of flooding and even fuel-locked-up motors.

Back online, I bought the proper FDV and installed it all yesterday. I haven't had the boat on the water to try it yet, but will soon.

Just FYI regards, richg99

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053HPOBU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

 

[fl.graderman]

I just learned about and purchased one of these last week. A buddy noticed my new gas tank didn't have a vent and my tank was swollen like a basketball. He said he was surprised the pressure wasn't flooding my motor. I went home as started searching online for a vented cap that would fit and found out that after (I think) 2011, portable fuel tanks are no longer allowed to vent into the atmosphere.
Funny part was that my brand new tank is Attwood and my brand new fuel line is Attwood...one would think the FDV would have either come with the tank or the line...
BTW...I have no issues or complaints with the FDV. Motor starts and runs exactly as it did before I installed it.

2015 Tracker Grizzly 1448 MVX
1996 Evinrude 25hp 3 cylinder looper

 

[richg99]

Yea. Attwood put a Black and Blue tag in all of the new tanks. It explains that "the tank will swell". Stupidly, the tag says the solution is to LOOSEN the cap! Guess you might as well have a vented cap!

In very small print, on the bottom of the notice, it says that you should also buy their FDV.

Sheesh...another EPA rule that screws things up.
richg99

 

[uncndl1]

Interested in what you ended up purchasing. I just searched and found this at Walmart for less than $20:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/23619765?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227017153063&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40969022792&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78911849912&veh=sem
oops, just saw your Amazon link, which is a little less money with free shipping....thanks for letting us know!

 

[fl.graderman]

Interested in what you ended up purchasing. I just searched and found this at Walmart for less than $20:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/23619765?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227017153063&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40969022792&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78911849912&veh=sem
oops, just saw your Amazon link, which is a little less money with free shipping....thanks for letting us know!

That's the one.

2015 Tracker Grizzly 1448 MVX
1996 Evinrude 25hp 3 cylinder looper

 

[richg99]

Since I have Amazon Prime, I often buy items there. They contribute a few cents to my church, also...on most purchases.

richg99

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

Could buy a vent and install it.

https://www.mryellowcap.com/shop/mr-yellow-cap-vents/

 

[JMichael]

Could buy a vent and install it.

https://www.mryellowcap.com/shop/mr-yellow-cap-vents/

If you need more than one, Amazon has several sellers that handle bulk (5/10/20) sales at a much better price. I think it's the same product but maybe not.
https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Shipping-Chilton-Rotopax-Rubbermaid/dp/B00MNC4YO6/ref=pd_sim_86_6?ie=UTF8&dpID=31YIWmdYDzL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=05JCJMX42VD39ACZXPBN

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

Could buy a vent and install it.

https://www.mryellowcap.com/shop/mr-yellow-cap-vents/

If you need more than one, Amazon has several sellers that handle bulk (5/10/20) sales at a much better price. I think it's the same product but maybe not.
https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Shipping-Chilton-Rotopax-Rubbermaid/dp/B00MNC4YO6/ref=pd_sim_86_6?ie=UTF8&dpID=31YIWmdYDzL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=05JCJMX42VD39ACZXPBN

I re-did 3 EPA cans this past year with Mr. Yellow Cap. These were the ones that have the vent made into the spout with a cap that has no retainer on it. I had lost the cap on two of them.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Could buy a vent and install it.

https://www.mryellowcap.com/shop/mr-yellow-cap-vents/

If you need more than one, Amazon has several sellers that handle bulk (5/10/20) sales at a much better price. I think it's the same product but maybe not.
https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Shipping-Chilton-Rotopax-Rubbermaid/dp/B00MNC4YO6/ref=pd_sim_86_6?ie=UTF8&dpID=31YIWmdYDzL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=05JCJMX42VD39ACZXPBN

I bought some on ebay. Works great on a 6 gallon fuel can have.
Or you could just loosen the gas cap.

 

[lovedr79]

Could buy a vent and install it.

https://www.mryellowcap.com/shop/mr-yellow-cap-vents/

OMG! you just made my day with that! i think i will order several for my gas cans.

 

[PSG-1]

Yea. Attwood put a Black and Blue tag in all of the new tanks. It explains that "the tank will swell". Stupidly, the tag says the solution is to LOOSEN the cap! Guess you might as well have a vented cap!

In very small print, on the bottom of the notice, it says that you should also buy their FDV.

Sheesh...another EPA rule that screws things up.
richg99

yeah, the whole reason they have gone to these unvented tanks is because they are worried about fuel vapors from boat tanks harming the environment.

Never mind the fuel vapor that escapes into the atmosphere when vehicles are filling up, much less when a tanker comes into port and offloads. Nah, that can't be the problem, instead let's screw with boat owners and give them gas tanks with no vents that swell up like a ******** balloon. Brilliant. =D> #-o :roll: