Storing fuel - vent open or closed?

[chriswjallen]

Hello everyone

I have a 25L Quicksilver fuel tank for my Mercury 15hp 2-stroke outboard

Question is when stored containing fuel, should the vent be open or closed?

I ask because when not in use I always close it, but I noticed a smell of petrol yesterday and the fuel line had disconnected itself from the tank and fuel had leaked onto the floor.

I also wondered if this had anything to do with E10 fuel having degraded the line in some way

Appreciate any thoughts

Thanks, Chris

[Max...]

I store mine outside (of course), out of the sun and the vent very slightly open. E10 goes off pretty quick they say so I would not keep it long or use it in the car/lawnmower etc or add stabiliser.

[tehguy]

I leave mine very slightly open. I've always been worried about large changes in pressure making something go pop.

[spartacus]

Thread has been covered before. Consensus seems to be - to keep it closed. No reason to vent it during the winter, obviously keep out of an area where they’re are fluctuations in temperature if stored inside. A garden shed away from the house seems reasonable if more than 30 litres.

https://www.rib.net/forum/f36/fuel-t...age-85301.html

HSE: https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplos...ssociation.htm

[chriswjallen]

Appreciate the responses, thanks

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by tehguy

I leave mine very slightly open. I've always been worried about large changes in pressure making something go pop.

I think it's a binary state. Open or closed. Slightly open, is still open.

Open = water vapour can get in, mix with ethanol, fuel go off.

Closed = pressure could build in the tank. I very much doubt that it can force off a properly connected fuel line. So either it was it properly connected, or is damaged.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

I think it's a binary state. Open or closed. Slightly open, is still open.

Open = water vapour can get in, mix with ethanol, fuel go off.

Closed = pressure could build in the tank. I very much doubt that it can force off a properly connected fuel line. So either it was it properly connected, or is damaged.

completely agree.