Gas Fumes

[Salmonseeker]

Hi Guys,

I have a question for those in the know. The boat is a 2004 16 foot Crestliner Angler 1600SC with a 2004 Johnson 2-Stroke. The boat has a built in 17 gallon fuel tank that fills and vents on the transom.

I always store the boat inside a garage. When I enter the garage I can always smell a faint fuel smell. If I open the storage areas in the boat the smell is much stronger. I took it all apart earlier this year expecting a small fuel leak or something but found nothing. Checked all the lines, connections, etc. The bilge area never has a drop of anything in there.

The only thing I can think of is, because the fuel tank is vented at the gas cap. The fuel vapors are escaping from there and settling to the bottom of the boat. The plate where the deck fill (which is vented) attaches is coming apart which could allow the vapor to escape and settle through the crack to the bilge area and then spread throughout the hull causing the extra smell when I open the storage compartments.

Does this theory make sense to anyone???

Thanks

 

[rentalguy1]

Re: Gas Fumes

makes sense to me, coupled with the lack of adequate ventilation in your garage. Boat fuel systems don't seem to be as "tight" as car systems.

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: Gas Fumes

Well I hope thats all it is.

I am trying to find a replacement for the broken deck fill plate with no luck. I will call Crestliner tomorrow and hopefully they can point me in the right direction.

 

[orion25]

Re: Gas Fumes

makes sense to me, coupled with the lack of adequate ventilation in your garage. Boat fuel systems don't seem to be as "tight" as car systems.

And most cars have systems that actually recover the fumes and burn them in the engine.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Gas Fumes

Yep..a drop or two of gas will make my shop scare me...its permeates the air.
But thats because you are used to sealed cars systems.
I come back fron a heavy ride in the mountains of one of my Harleys, the shop smells SO Sweet for a few days...
Me ...veins of 20-50 Castrol!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Gas Fumes

My wife always complains after I bring the boat home that the garage smells "like boat". Which, of course, is mixed gas. Just the gas laying in the carbs seems to stink up the place something fierce.

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: Gas Fumes

Well atleast I am not the only one. I feel better now.

I just got off the phone with the Crestliner Warranty/Parts department. I told them about the broken deck fill plate and he said I should take it to the dealer where I bought it to have it replaced free of charge. I bought the boat in North Carolina and live in Ontario so that is a bit of a problem. He said no problem I will ship it UPS to your door. He also informed me they have had problems with others cracking and have updated them with a reinforced model which is being shipped to me free of charge.

Great Customer Service on Crestliner's part.