Fuel in the Bilge

[DTL504]

Return from pulling some friend in a tube and once we trailer the boat I open drain plug and notice a lot of water was pouring out then I notice it was fuel coming out of the bilge. The night before I topped of the fuel 10.5 gal before it begun to run over. When I seen it was fuel I put the plug back in and have not open it again.
What went wrong?

 

[gcboat]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

Too many options here. If this has never happened before then possibly a few things occured. Could be a leak in the tank itself, could be a leak in the filler pipe, could be a leak from the sending unit, could be a faulty fuel pump or its supply lines. Also your overflow vent could be leaking - check it for blockage. You'll need to look at all of your fittings as well.
Whatever you do don't try to start the motor until the problem is solved.
Is this an outboard or I/O ?

 

[DTL504]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

Too many options here. If this has never happened before then possibly a few things occured. Could be a leak in the tank itself, could be a leak in the filler pipe, could be a leak from the sending unit, could be a faulty fuel pump or its supply lines. Also your overflow vent could be leaking - check it for blockage. You'll need to look at all of your fittings as well.
Whatever you do don't try to start the motor until the problem is solved.
Is this an outboard or I/O ?

Thanks for the help, this is an outboard Mercury 150XL Saltwater motor.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

drain the hull, get it out. if you have to use gas cans, then dispose of properly. then hose down hull really good, Dawn dish soap, or a good degrease. what ran over the night before?

 

[oops!]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

you are sitting on a bomb........


do not take the boat out till it is cleaned and repaired......

clean the boat as mentioned above........find the leak.....it is an ob....so your search area is easyer......check the lines and the tank....

 

[treeguy1]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

I have the exact same problem. 150 hp mercury outboard. I took off filler tube, and checked, no leaks. Took off tube from tank, to primer bulb, and replaced. That was o.k. also. Boat is 2002 tracker, with a 40 gal plastic tank. It is under floor boards. How do you check the tank for leaks. I really hope it is some other problem. I just can seem to imagine, that being only 6 year old boat, that the tank is defective. There is a possiblity that a squirrel may have caused damage, since found a nest this past winter. How could a sending unit cause a big leak. My fuel gauge was not working, but the seal seems to be tight. I still have a lot of gas in the tank. Should I fill it up with more gas, and see if it leaks. (OPEC would like that).

 

[eddie_c]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

That happened to me as well ('90 Bayliner w/85hp Force) but it turned out to be the overflow line. Maybe start from the less horrible option?

EC

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

I just can seem to imagine, that being only 6 year old boat, that the tank is defective.

The definition of a defect is an imperfection that impairs worth or utility. Heck, my 2006 truck had several defects and that got me a brand new '07. Don't think that something can't be defective just because it's new.

If you're spilling fuel in lake, rivers, or oceans then you have a responsibility to get it fixed.

 

[treeguy1]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

Hey Captain,

Thanks for the response. I definetely would not even think of taking it out on any lake, and polluting our waters. I cannot seen to find the leak, and will need to take it in. I was hoping I would find something very obvious. I am still hoping it is not the tank, but it sure is looking like it might be. Thanks again.

 

[treeguy1]

Re: Fuel in the Bilge

I finally took my boat in, the tracker leaking fuel into the bilge. It is what I suspected. A hole in the upper corner of the 40 gallon plastic tank. Yep, a hole about the size of a tennis ball. Squirrel damage. I found a nest it the boat earlier, and also some wiring I discovered eaten. The whole boat basically had to be ripped apart to get the tank out. Any one know if one's boat insurance or home owner's insurance may cover such a thing. I have a feeling this is going to be several thousand? I have insurance with "Boater's Choice". I have not yet had a chance to look at my policy. The guys at the boat dealership, have never seen this before. Thanks.