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Systems
CARBON CANISTER
The domestic EPA
compliant fuel tank system
contains a carbon canister.
(one for each fuel tank).
It is located in the engine
room (bilge or sump). It’s environmental mission is to
catch and lter any contaminants that are attempting
to exit the fuel system via the fuel tank vent hose. This
component should last the life of the fuel system and
requires no periodic maintenance other than periodically
checking the hose clamps for tightness.
VENTILATION SYSTEM
Gasoline propelled engines require a continuous supply
of fresh air in order to generate peak horsepower and
rpm. To deliver fresh air for the engine a permanently
mounted vent is integrated into the boat’s deck on both
port and starboard sides. This is called the natural ven-
tilation system.
When the engine is started fresh air is drawn through the
vent system. As the demand for air increases in relation-
ship to the engine revolutions per minute (rpm’s) the en-
gine induction system supplies the required additional air
supply by inhaling more air.
As part of the gasoline combustion process fuel vapors
can accumulate in the bilge and cause a possible explo-
sion or re. To offset the possibility of this happening a
powered ventilation system exits fuel vapors and possible
CO through a system of blowers with hoses that are stra-
tegically placed in the lower third of the engine compart-
ment. There is one blower per engine. Gasoline vapors
naturally seek the bilge bottom and the blowers evacuate
any fuel vapors out the exhaust side of the ventilation
system. This is known as the powered ventilation sys-
tem. If you are working in the sump make sure you do
not step on the black 4” blower hoses.
Check the vents periodically for any obstructions or for-
eign objects such as nests or spider webs. If the propul-
sion system is running at a lower than normal cruising
rpm or seems to lack power or the vessel is slow to plane
check the fresh air supply to the engine including the en-
gine air lters.
Note that proper amounts of natural ventilation is even
more important with diesel installations.
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