Gasoline Spill

[BOOSTER-X]

I bought a 6 gal. portable gas tank at Walmart for $12.00. (Marine Supplier's costs $45.00)<br /><br />I filled it up with 5 gals of 50:1 mix and brought it along on my maiden voyage. Never used it that day and left it in my boat...normal horizontal position. A couple days later I smelled gas near where I parked the boat and trailer, but I figured it was from when I ran the hose water throught the engine.<br /><br />Next day I investigated the smell and to my astonishment, the gas tank had vented over half the fuel into the back of the boat. I guess you can't sit a gas can on a horizontal surface in the sun without a hose attached. The fitting is at the top of the can, so I figured the fuel wouldn't poor out. All I needed to do was open the vent on the cap and this wouldn't have happened. They need a better warning label.<br /><br />Needless to say, I was very frustrated and disgusted by what I saw and smelled.<br /><br />All the carpet in the back floor was wrinkled up....must have dissolved the glue....and stained darker from the oil.<br /><br />I pressure washed it with soap, but its still pretty bad.<br /><br />Any tips on getting that carpet clean would be appreciated.

 

[Pony]

Re: Gasoline Spill

I've never used a plastic tank before so I can;t advise ya there.....<br /><br />How big is this area of damaged carpet?? I took a big all weather car floor mat and put it under my tank to prevent damage to carpet....I also upholstered my floor in roofing rubber where I put my anchors....it really prolly depends on the size area you need to fix

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Gasoline Spill

Booster, You can try Spray-9 or Castrol Superclean. Both are pretty good degreasers and won't hurt the carpet. BTW, the real problem you had is the fuel connector on the tank didn't seal properly. All fuel tanks will build up pressure as the fuel warms up, and the vent is closed. Usually the fuel fittings keep the fuel in. Now you know how to treat that tank!

 

[fire831]

Re: Gasoline Spill

I have one of those tanks also and it's getting replaced as soon as possible. I never leave it in the boat when not in use because of it building pressure and leaking. Mine also likes to swell up real big when it's hot and suck in when it's cold. I was told that with it doing this it will weaken the seams and eventualy will leak. I guess it shows you get what you pay for just like my $5.00 primer bulb I got at wal-mart. Leaked like crazy and took for ever to get it to prime up. Replaced it with a omc bulb and all is well.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Gasoline Spill

I use a pair of 'em; even with the vent open you'll get some fuel seeping around the cap and the pick-up on a hot day. I uncarpeted my boat last year - sorry to hear about yours.

 

[BOOSTER-X]

Re: Gasoline Spill

I had the boat pretty well tilted back....it got most of the way across between the 2 back corner seats and a couple feet towards the front (Bayliner 16 Cuddy)..probably 6 or 7 sq.ft. I couldn't comprehend 2-3 gals burping out the top fitting.<br /><br />Maybe I didn't make my stupidity clear enough.....I didn't even have a hose attached. I used up the first container (the guy who rigged my engine also drained my fuel tank....boat sitting 3 years) and let me finish off 3 gals that were in his portable tank. When his gas was out, my first trip was over, since I didn't want to take apart his bulb/hose clamp.<br /><br />I guess you really do get what you pay for. The key selling feature on this one was that you could see the level of the fuel THROUGH THE PLASTIC!<br /><br />I guess I'll shell out the 45 for the real deal...and a good primer/hose.<br /><br />Thanks for the degreaser tips. I'm fixing up parts of the rotten floor anyway, so I'll clean it and re-mastic it when it dries out around here. NO RAIN all summer long....now almost 2 weeks straight.

 

[DJ]

Re: Gasoline Spill

The carpet is trash. There is no saving it.<br /><br />Venting is the key. The vent doesn't need to be but just cracked open.

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: Gasoline Spill

Originally posted by BOOSTER-X:<br /> They need a better warning label.

I'm sorry to hear about your mess but I just had to ask. would you have read the warning label even if it was bigger? I have one of those cans and never had a problem with it.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Gasoline Spill

Have to agree with dink... something tells me the attatchment you put on that tank failed... should not allow gas to come through if hose isn't connected.. I actually have 2 of those cheap 6 gal tanks... I might find a small drip down the side from the cap but not 3 gal worth... I drove 300 miles on a 95 degree day and didn't loose all but a table spoon with um un-vented and un-hooked.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Gasoline Spill

Sounds like you filled the tank too full and didn't leave enough of an air pocket for fuel expansion. Seems like everyone one time or another, including myself on occasion, tries to get the most fuel they can into the tank. Hey, I paid for a 6 gallon tank so it should hold 6 gallons, right. But with fuel expansion from rising temperatures, that original 6 gallons is going to be something somewhat more than that and is going to need some additional space whether by compressing an air pocket or leaking out onto the floor.

 

[BOOSTER-X]

Re: Gasoline Spill

Probably wouldn't have read it ;-(<br /><br />Dave J Z, I didn't have anything attached to it.<br />It was exactly as it was when I walked out of the store with it. The L shaped nozzle on top looks like it has a threaded hole....I just ASSumed that if it was level, it wouldn't pour out of the top of the tank. Its in my garage with the vent open.<br /><br />I put exactly 5 gallons of gas and the corresponding 50:1 oil to mix.<br /><br />I guess it'll be new floor AND new carpet this winter.

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: Gasoline Spill

Had the same problem with two metal 6 gallon gas tanks with the 1961 16' Texas Maid Fiesta. No vent screws on the caps. The grass carpet and plywood at the back of the boat were stained and smelly from previous gas baths before I got the boat. I put the tanks in plastic tubs to catch any accidental spills, never put more than 5 gallons in the tanks, and kept the caps loose, so pressure wouldn't push the gas out. Eventually replaced the carpet and floor - you can't ever get it clean. Used the boat many years with the gas tanks in those plastic tubs. Never had enough of a spill to melt the plastic. Sold the boat with tanks and tubs in place. Far as I know, they're still in use. I guess I was too cheap to spring for new tanks with vent screws.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Gasoline Spill

Originally posted by BOOSTER-X:<br /> The L shaped nozzle on top looks like it has a threaded hole....I just ASSumed that if it was level, it wouldn't pour out of the top of the tank.

They usually have a little red plug screwed in there when you buy 'em but if yours didn't then you might've got some sloshing on the road that you didn't plan on. Unless of course you'd already screwed the quick-disconnect fitting in.<br /><br />In your garage, you might still get some seepage whenever there's a lot of temp variation - I wouldn't put 'em near anything that's sensitive to fuel. Especially something like a water heater or battery charger or anything. And if your wife's anything like mine, be prepared for some complaints about the smell.

 

[T S N]

Re: Gasoline Spill

The fitting on the top of the tank is connected to a tube that goes to the bottom of the tank.<br />When the air and fuel expanded it forced the gas out thru the tube and fitting.<br />It's not defective, any tank will do this, if the vent is closed the pressure will follow the path of least resistance.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Gasoline Spill

TSN is exactly correct. The air space is at the top of the tank so when the fuel expands the air forces down on the fuel which forces it up through the tube which is close to the bottom of the tank. Put a plug in the threaded hole and crack open the vent slightly.

 

[Barbee Q]

Re: Gasoline Spill

Try Purple degreaser... Wal-Mart sells it in the gallon container. I use it on grease and oil stains, it may take out some of the stains caused from the gas mix.. Sometimes it is in the area by the boating supplies and tackle. Or by the tires. Under $5 and works, safe for the enviroment too. I used it last year to clean my carpet in the boat. Also you can take your power washer and hook it up to your hot water heater. The heat will lift out alot of that mix..<br />As for the lifting in rug. Just cram some rug glue and roll it with something heavy. If you have flat steal plates, or any heavy bricks, that help keep the rug inplace while it dries..<br />Good Luck..