Fuel Tank

[Marinewithaboat]

I have a 1988 Aquasport 17 Osprey. The boat is great but I think I may have a fuel leak. But I'm not sure. When I fill up the boat with gas I usually fill until I see it start to come back up. I'll go out on the water but when I get back to the dock I smell a strong gas smell in the bilge water. The water is even discolored like Gas. But with the boat just sitting in my drive way if I had a leak wouldn't gas continue to leak out of the boat? I left a bucket under the drain plug last week and nothing was int he bucket at the end of the week. Do I just simply have a pluged hose somewhere?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fuel Tank

You don't have a plugged hose but you probably have a leaking fuel line. It may also be that the movement of the boat stresses the tank and if there is a crack or leaking fitting, that movement is when the fuel escapes. At any rate, you have a serious explosion situation. Do not operate the boat until the leak is isolated and repaired.

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Fuel Tank

Its an ouboard engine, does that still carry the same risk of explosion? Also how can i find this leak?

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: Fuel Tank

I found my leak by plugging the vent line and using air pressure. you can pressurize the tank and lines then spray some water if you can't hear anything and look for it to bubble.
anytime you have gas you have a explosion risk if your bilge pump turns on there could be a spark or someone lights a cigerette . but i would definately agree not to run the boat until the leak is fixed

 

[gcboat]

Re: Fuel Tank

Be careful on that pressure test - 3 psi is the max you should go. It should hold that pressure for 2 hours? ( hope someone helps with those numbers ).
And I will agree with everyone else - there is a potential bomb just waiting for the right ignition source. Go easy !

 

[Marinewithaboat]

Re: Fuel Tank

Has anyone heard of putting food coloring in the fuel tank to determine the place of the leak?