Gas smell...

[webenergy]

I have an 80's Aquasport with a 50 gallon tank and 1995 200 HP Evinrude Vindicator. I opened the gas hatch to check the tank and smelled fuel. Now, it is possible I have been putting too much gas in the tank. I always put 5 gallons in even if I didn't use the boat much. Could it simply be that, or is it possible that I have a leak somewhere? I don't smell any gas in the cuddy cabin. It's a pain to remove the floorboard to get to the tank, and re-caulk it so i'm hoping that it's not a leak. What options do I have?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Gas smell...

if you over fill it goes out the vent, not into the hull. find out where it's coming from, before the BOOM happens.

 

[Walker]

Re: Gas smell...

Aluminum, metal, or plastic tank???

 

[webenergy]

Re: Gas smell...

The gas tank is metal in a fibreglass casing.

I was also told than the previous owner of the boat that the vent wasn't replaced so there may be a problem with the vent.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Gas smell...

find it. or this could be you.

 

[webenergy]

Re: Gas smell...

I definately will be looking for the leak! I can't do it until next week because the special caulking I need is only sold at the marine store which isn't open Sundays. I need it to re-seal the floorboard once I take it off.

Now, is the best way to take off the floorboard to access the tank, run the engine in idle and check for leaks? Or, should I buy a special dye to put in the tank and check for leaks that way, and also see if fuel is getting in the bildge?

 

[webenergy]

Re: Gas smell...

I will update you when I find and fix the problem. From what I think, there is a crack in the vent and I have been over-filling the gas tank. So, instead of the vent doing its job, it's leaking into the hull. I'll pull apart the floorboard and check the system.

 

[webenergy]

Re: Gas smell...

Well, I fixed the problem! The fuel line was cracked where it connects to the gas tank. It seems that whoever tightened the clamp last, tightened it too much and caused the clamp to dig into the fuel line causing it to crack. Because I had alot of slack on the line, I cut 2 inches off the fuel line and re-attached it to the tank. I also put a strip of duct tape where the clamp goes on so it doesn't dig into the fuel line. Took the boat out for a long ride, came back, and no more gas smell!