Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

[jrturbowon]

I just bought this boat and took it out, went to the gas station put 17 gallons of gas in it. When I got to the lake I could smell gas I pulled the engine cover off and there was about 3 to 4 inches of gas in the bilge. It is a 1987 celebrity open bow with a alph1 mercruiser 5.7. where do I look and start at to find out what the problem is. This is my first boat, I am new to boating. Any help would be greatful and needed. Thank you to anyone that helps. JR

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

Since this happened between the gas station and the ramp, I would suspect a leaking fuel filter and/or a leaking fuel line. Point is that this didn't happen with the fuel pump in operation, so the leak has to be before the pump.

Do not do any running until you have this figured out!

Happy boating!

 

[dpoff]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

Did you put the gas into the gas fill opening or a rod holder?

 

[wire2]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

A few possibilities; The fill hose is partly off/loose at the filler neck or tank, tank is rusted/corroded, a leak after the fuel pump, hole in fuel/water filter.

First, need to get all that gas out of the bilge, then have a good look around.

 

[jrturbowon]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

What is a rod holder? I put it in the hole in the back that has a cap on it the cap has a chain hooked to it that goes in it. I think so you dont leave the cap.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

a rod holder is something that you put your fishing rod into....a few have tried to refuel in one of them....since you only have 2-3"of fuel in your bilge you probably got it right at the pump. Look for cracks or holes in your fuel system....

 

[jrturbowon]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

Lol, oh my rod holders are on the sides. That is funny people would fill them up. Do they have caps? Anyways, Do you think this boat has a plastic or metal tank. I am so nervous that the tank has a hole in it. It is an 87 celebrity 20' i/o 5.7.

 

[commander315]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

Did you put the gas into the gas fill opening or a rod holder?

been there.... wasnt paying attention, opened my fuel cap, sat on it with the nozzle in my hand...and you could figure out the rest. First worry about gettin the fuel out of there. Took me a hot 4 hours to get all of 20 gl of gas out. Pump out what you can with a hand pump, use some absorption rags...Then steal some of your wifes dawn dishwashing liquid and squirt it all over down there. Hose it out and pump out the water. Throw a little bilge cleaner in and you should be done. Then just go through your fuel system, find the issue <---(I obviously didnt have to do this part..lol)

 

[odie241]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

Your problem sounds like what i am going through now.I am like you,just bought it,filled it,got to the water,and had gas in the bilge.My problem was the "Fuel Fill Hose" I removed my tank,and took a garden hose,took the cap off,and plugged the end that goes into the tank.When i turned the hose on,water was filling my bilge.I Just replaced mine tonight,I bought the hose from here at iboats,hope this helps you.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

This sounds scary and obviously is potentially disastrous. Thanks for the heads up.

I'm wondering if the failure is with the fuel filler hose, is it usually the hose that develops cracks/holes, or is it a loose clamp at the connection between the hose and the filler neck or between the hose and the tank?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

Don't close the engine cover until you get this fixed, open bilge drain plug into a bucket. You've got a potential bomb there!

 

[bcons]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

You all forgot to mention the 1st thing to do DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!!

Errant spark from anything?

1st off open ALL covers to every storage area on the boat, you never know where the fumes will build up, & leave them open.
Second as mentioned the most likely problem is a leaking line, several areas to check. Filler line where it turns the sharp 90 deg angles under the floor, & where all straps touch it, the same with the supply lines. Check the fuel filter/water seperator missing or bad o-ring, too loose, cross threaded?

Then last look at your tank, is it stainless or glass? If it's fiberglass the tank is probably toast. The new e-10, ethanol additive in gas will slowly disolve the resin in the tank. This will drastically shorten filter life, clog lines, and gum up your carb.

 

[lrlima]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

I had the problem you are describing once. But for me, the gas was coming out of where the fuel sender is located on the top of the tank. I beleive I overfilled the tank causing and the fuel sender gasket failed. overfilling just caused the gas to flow out of the top via the faulty gasket and make its way into the bilge.

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

Remove the boat keys now. I don't think I would even touch the battery terminals until the gas and fumes are gone. That little spark off the neg term would light it up. I've seen it happen and it's ugly.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

You won't know until you look. Nobody mentioned a ruptured fuel tank but that's also a possibility.

Step #1 would be to raise the tongue jack, remove the drain plug and get the fuel out of the hull. If it continues to drain, I would suspect a ruptured tank. For gosh sakes DO NOT try to start the engine or turn ANYTHING on in this boat. Does the word KABOOM mean anything to you. Open the engine hatch and let this thing air out -- for a week or more.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

Remove the boat keys now. I don't think I would even touch the battery terminals until the gas and fumes are gone. That little spark off the neg term would light it up. I've seen it happen and it's ugly.

I agree...key out , don't turn anything on ,and leave battery alone for now...you may get a spark when removing a terminal.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

My first guess would be a rotted out vent line since there was no gas in the bilge before and if you only put 17 gallons in you must have had at least 8 gallons already on board.

I'd take the engine cover off and reach behind the motor for where the fill and vent lines are. Run your hand down each one and see if they are wet or cracked - or just busted off completely.

 

[odie241]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

I got my filler hose out lastnight,and here is where the leak was in my boat

I have had my engine cover off for 2 weeks now,and have had the engine in plastic,so the rain could flush some out.I also ran my hose,and bought some cleaner from my local boat supply store for the gas.Alot of clean-up I have went through.Its all worth it in the end.I would look at your filler hose,check the clamps first,if they are tight,then you might have the same issue as mine.this leak was right at the bottom of the 90 degree bend.

 

[jrturbowon]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

I think it is the sending unit one of the screw is loose and stripped out the gasket is stiff. I think I need a new gasket and find a way to put new screws in with out stripping them out.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Gas leaking into to the bidge new to boat please help..

You all forgot to mention the 1st thing to do DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!!

Errant spark from anything?

1st off open ALL covers to every storage area on the boat, you never know where the fumes will build up, & leave them open.
Second as mentioned the most likely problem is a leaking line, several areas to check. Filler line where it turns the sharp 90 deg angles under the floor, & where all straps touch it, the same with the supply lines. Check the fuel filter/water seperator missing or bad o-ring, too loose, cross threaded?

Then last look at your tank, is it stainless or glass? If it's fiberglass the tank is probably toast. The new e-10, ethanol additive in gas will slowly disolve the resin in the tank. This will drastically shorten filter life, clog lines, and gum up your carb.

Do not disconnect the batteries until the fuel/fumes are gone. Your intention is good, but there can, and usually is, a spark when the cable is removed. Since no problem has occurred yet, obviously, it is a safe bet that the fuel can be removed as previously suggested before removing the cables.

One thing to keep in mind is that it is not the gas that explodes, it's the fumes from the gas. So opening the hatches and removing the liquid is of paramount importance. Clean all areas that had gas standing, use a fan from outside the boat blowing into the boat, to increase the air movement, and reduce fume %.

NO SMOKING!!