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First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:37 am
by Mitch22
Having a great time with our new to us '08 Cobalt 222! Filled it up for the first time and the young man at the marina set the pump on low and walked away to help another customer. As it approached full it gave a pretty good burp and spilled fuel down the side of my freshly waxed boat. Is this normal? The trigger was set to lowest speed. I haven't had time to check the tank vent for blockage but good chance most of that line is hidden anyway?
Also my speedo quits at 30 mph. My gps says our 6.2 will go 55.1 trimmed up

Anything in particular to look for there?
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:16 am
by NautiGirl
Normal, ours will do the same if we are not careful. I too hate spilling gas on our freshly waxed boat so we very rarely top it all the way off.
Our Speedo didn't work at all when we purchased the boat. The dealer had to clean out the pitot tube. Haven't had a problem since. We have seen 56mph on the Speedo, actual speed on GPS was 50. Speedo is a bit optimistic at the top end at least on our boat.
Hope this helps and that you are enjoying the boat.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:10 am
by BigGib
Well my speedo starts at 30mph lol. It works after that but won't go below 30! Pretty normal to get clogged up.
I'm surprised they left the boat unattended while fueling? But yes it is normal to spit some gas. If it spits too much or mid fueling, may be signs of a clogged fuel vent, but doesn't sound like that's the case here. At our gas dock they usually throw a rag around the nozzle to collect anything that comes out.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:28 am
by Mitch22
As it was the first fill up I wasn't sure how much it would take and showed about 1/2 a tank on the gauge. I was keeping an eye on it myself but i had just turned around to pick up my wallet and of course that's when it kicked off. The rag is a good idea and I will keep one handy myself and request its use if they don't provide one. I think this was an exceptionally busy day and the usual two man show was down a man...
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:34 pm
by JTinMO
Fuel burp is very common, and one of my biggest gripes with the boat. You can't fill it up without the burp and spilling fuel all the way down the side of your boat.
Regarding the speedometer pitot tube, I just had this issue and went through everything I could find to fix it. If you can get a long ⅛" drill bit, you can clean out the hole by twisting the drill bit by hand in the hole in the outdrive. You can also easily access the pitot tube behind the dash. Just disconnect it and you can blow compressed air through the line to push out anything that may be in place. I did both of these, and while not finding any obvious debris, blowing out the line did remove a lot of water (according to my daughter in back watching and holding a white rag at the outdrive hole). Last two trips out my speedometer has been reacting flawless. I think my mechanic may hav got some paint in the outdrive hole when they services and repainted the keg this winter.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:59 pm
by cmattj
After awhile you will know the gallons you need to add to get a high fill level.
I’m always filling to 3/4 due just the slosh and splatter these open vented systems have.
Without automotive style “ anti siphon “ valves the marine nozzles just do not click off very well with the splash until it’s too late.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 2:24 pm
by Bfun220
While refueling. If you listen near the vent you'll hear air coming out as you fill. When you hear a gurgling sound from the vent stop. You'll have a full tank and no mess.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:35 pm
by AsLan7
Bfun220 wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2019 2:24 pm
While refueling. If you listen near the vent you'll hear air coming out as you fill. When you hear a gurgling sound from the vent stop. You'll have a full tank and no mess.
+1
.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 5:02 pm
by 3monkeys
My '07 222 with 6.2 hits 55 on speedo haven't tried GPS yet. Also had to clean the tube as it took forever to get to 30 and then took off.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 5:56 pm
by Big Block Power
3monkeys wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2019 5:02 pm
My '07 222 with 6.2 hits 55 on speedo haven't tried GPS yet. Also had to clean the tube as it took forever to get to 30 and then took off.
I wouldn't check it with gps

Just stick with that.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:01 pm
by Big Block Power
Also be careful with the drill bit. I heard of the bit breaking off inside the drive. Then you have a big issue
With a b3 drive just take off the fitting at the drive. 1/4 twist and it comes out. Back flush it from there.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:19 pm
by Bfun220
On a previous boat I used some line from my weed eater to clear it out.
Re: First fill up
Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 4:06 pm
by Krob1114
Mitch22 wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:37 am
Filled it up for the first time and the young man at the marina set the pump on low and walked away to help another customer.
Sounds like no tip for him.