You’ve heard the term “fuel geyser,” right?
If you haven’t, watch this:
That’s a fuel geyser.
Even if you’re familiar with the term, there’s a high likelihood you’ve fallen victim to some falsehoods, myths or half-truths surrounding what a fuel geyser is and what it isn’t.
Think you know fuel geysers? Prove it!
Take the quiz below. Then hear a great conversation with a real-life engineer who’s been trying to crack the fuel geyser code. He’s Ralph Gonzales, U.S. Forest Service Engineer, surfer, mountain biker and all around cool dude.
Tell us how you did in the comments below!
Next, listen up for the latest on fuel geysers:
More Resources:
Report a fuel geyser National Fuel Geyser Awareness Campaign Website
Couldn’t resist taking the test…. he shoots… he scores.. 19-19. Thanks for the heads up info.
Are you aware of the prize you’re eligible for, Mr. Vosburgh?
I’m curious why the fuel tank breather caps aren’t being mentioned. Clearly an engineer has had attention there? The saws have them. You find them after taking away the body parts that surround the carburetor. They tend to be neglected and clogged with wood dust.
I’ve never experienced a geyser, but a fume burp is quite regular especially when the tank is not full. I regularly clean the fuel vent about every month. Wondering why is hasn’t been discussed?
Just for feedback, I got all answers correct, but I feel they were worded in a manner that steers toward common sense or perhaps intuitive and maybe that’s not so common?
Hey Brian!
Great catch: the fuel tank vents aren’t discussed.
Here’s the deal with those vents: on newer equipment, those vents are one-way vents. They allow air in as fuel is consumed. They do NOT allow vapor/pressure out, and cleaning them or replacing them will NOT lessen the likelihood of a geysering event.
Check out this video for a bit more: https://youtu.be/d8g2iCnGAYk
Thanks for the feedback on the quiz wording. You’re spot on regarding the wording of the questions, and we’ll keep your comment in mind if/when we do future quizzes like this.
Finally, are you aware of the “prize” you’re entitled to with a perfect score?
Thanks! Alex
Lack of education is THE reason this is an issue”. S-212 teaches to let saw cool down before refueling. Fuel caps are designed to be opened slowly, i.e. locking quarter turn caps. Refueling a saw next a heat source, (fire).. shouldn’t require a “rocket science” degree??? I’ve been sawing for 40+ years with the Forest Service, and have yet to have a geyser issue, even back in the old Homelite days. LH.
Took the test. 18/19.Thanks for putting it out there!
Concerned with your question about emissions related to geysers. It seems to me they are driven by the emissions. To pass emissions all of the venting needed to be changed including the caps to some extent. Stihls solution on their saws was just one way ( however imperfect for an operator it may be) to work a solution to the emissions problem to make their vent system work. So in fact the answer to the question should be yes geysers are caused by emissions.
Another couple items folks need to be aware of are even the threaded caps on the leaf blowers will still permit a giant geyser so loosening a cap slowly is NOT a valid solution IME ( so the quarter turn saw caps are not fully to blame since many say ” we never had this problem with thread caps”… it happens with threaded caps which again falls back to emissions requirements and design changes)
Anonymous has noted to let a piece of power equipment cool before opening the caps. I have personally had saws and blowers geyser after a 12 hr cool down in 50 degree F temps. So beware a cool down may not prevent a geyser. Keep that rag handy when refueling.
Hope this helps someone this season…
100% score here! Good to know the training in the past few years has stuck in my head. Here’s to an eventful upcoming season!