Gas tank fuel overflow vent, hard to fill

[cadunkle]

Boat is an '89 Saltare and what a pain it is to put gas in it. I can't pump like normal, and even if I go slow it'll either spit/burp out the fill or puke out the vent, then I can squeeze anywhere from a few more gallons to another 10+ in pumping as slow as the pump will go. Usually I'll do 10 gallons fast, then do 5 slow, stop briefly, 5 more, etc... Takes forever and even going slow it'll often burp gas out the fuel fill. Gauge reads just over 3/4 when full. I figure it's just inaccurate, often I'll get down to E and it'll only take 30 gallons (46 gallon tank).

I had the ski locker insert out once and the vent pretty much goes straight off to the side and up and in not twisted, kinked, or obstructed. I thought maybe it was just how it sat on the trailer, but even in the water I have to be careful not to spill and make a mess. I don't understand why it's so difficult to fill. Any ideas or a fix?

[wotan2525]

The original vent can get plugged with wax or rubbing compound (very, very easily.) It can still spill fuel out of it but does not allow enough air to escape. You could attack it with a dental pick, or remove and soak it in something.

Or.... like I just did.... replace it with a pop-up style.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=12257

(Almost everything on my boat is now pop-up!)

[TitanTn]

I installed a vented deck fill which vents fuel back into the deck fill and back into the tank. No more mess or fuss.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=206488&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50632&subdeptNum=50646&classNum=50649