I had my 20' Spectrum out on Lake Erie for about 7-8 hours the other day--conditions were calm. While on the water we noticed the smell of gas. I figured it was the rags I had on board or something.
When I got home I pulled the drain plug and what I believe was a gas/oil mixture began pouring out of the boat. About 1 gallon total came out. I though I might have a leak in the gas tank, so I drained completely and plugged it back up and checked it the next day to see if it was continuing to leak over night. When I checked the next day, nothing came out--so I figured it wasn't the tank leaking.
I then thought it might be a leaky hose--either from the tank to the engine or from the gas intake (where I put the gas in on the transom). The hoses had some very minor wear and tear, but nothing bad...and no wetness that was noticeable. I figured that I would fire up the engine next and let it run for a while to see if any connections were leaking. I ran it for about 15 minutes and felt all connections and hoses and nothing appeared wrong.
I did have a mechanic work on the engine recently and he adjusted the carbs. I also filled up the tank to about the top I believe--I don't think I spilled anything, but not sure.
I am kind of torn about what to do next. I was thinking about taking it in to a marina to get a once over by an expert, but I was also thinking that maybe the gas was the result of a spill or something leaking (I do keep oil on board, but the containers did not appear to have leaked)and that I should take the boat out again and see if the gas problem happens again--to avoid paying $100 for someone to tell me they couldn't find anything wrong.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
When I got home I pulled the drain plug and what I believe was a gas/oil mixture began pouring out of the boat. About 1 gallon total came out. I though I might have a leak in the gas tank, so I drained completely and plugged it back up and checked it the next day to see if it was continuing to leak over night. When I checked the next day, nothing came out--so I figured it wasn't the tank leaking.
I then thought it might be a leaky hose--either from the tank to the engine or from the gas intake (where I put the gas in on the transom). The hoses had some very minor wear and tear, but nothing bad...and no wetness that was noticeable. I figured that I would fire up the engine next and let it run for a while to see if any connections were leaking. I ran it for about 15 minutes and felt all connections and hoses and nothing appeared wrong.
I did have a mechanic work on the engine recently and he adjusted the carbs. I also filled up the tank to about the top I believe--I don't think I spilled anything, but not sure.
I am kind of torn about what to do next. I was thinking about taking it in to a marina to get a once over by an expert, but I was also thinking that maybe the gas was the result of a spill or something leaking (I do keep oil on board, but the containers did not appear to have leaked)and that I should take the boat out again and see if the gas problem happens again--to avoid paying $100 for someone to tell me they couldn't find anything wrong.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
