Fuel Blowback (aka BB Baptism)

[Gary Miller]

I can speak for certain that the FC's all have a fuel tank vent
line. It can be seen protruding from the front, curbside, top of the
tank, which is also where the wires to/from the sending unit are.

The problem seems to be that the little vent line (about a foot long)
was made of some type of vinyl or plastic material that, over time,
has caused it to shrivel up and become useless. What it looks like
is a black straw from a milkshake that a hungry kid has chomped on
for the past 15 minutes.

I suspect that, as the tank was filled over the years, this
inadequate material was subjected to the fuel/vapors and didn't last
long.

Replacing it is nearly impossible unless you happen to have the
access panel in the floor out for other work. In my case, I had the
access panel open to install a new sending unit and plumb my new
generator, so I replaced the vent line with a larger diameter rubber
fuel line. It works very well.

Barring this procedure, I have heard good things about the filler
insert being able to prevent the blowback.

The other nice thing about being able to prevent the pressurizing of
the tank, and the foaming of the fuel, is that the tank can be filled
more completely.

Just information and opinion.

Gary Miller
83 FC 33 - For Sale
Milwaukee area