Suspected fuel leak

[Animal223]

Hello All,<br />I think I discovered a problem with my boat and was hoping maybe someone here could help me out.<br /><br />First, here's my specs: 1991 Regal 220XL Bowrider, 5.7L Mercruiser Alpha One I/O, plastic 57 gal gasoline tank.<br /><br />I've noticed recently the relatively strong odor of gasoline in my ski locker and fuel tank inspection hatch. I recently noticed that the top of the tank seemed to always be wet, and the last straw was when I filled it up before winterizing it, it tool roughly 30 gallons to fill instead of the 10-15 I had estimated (two weeks sitting since last excursion).<br /><br />I did a little investigating today, and noticed that the liquid on the tank was indeed gas. I wiped up the whole area I could get to, and noticed that the wetness reappears right at the fitting where the fuel line connects to the tank (not at the joint of the hose to the fitting, mind you, but where the fitting meets with the tank). In the photo below you may notice the outline of gas around the fitting. The photo was taken about 10 seconds after the area was wiped dry.<br /><br />My question is, does this make any sense? Why would the tank leak from the TOP? There should not be any pressure in the tank because I have verified the vent is not blocked. Assuming I need to simply replace the fitting, where would I get such a fitting and how would I go about it? Is it an easy job for someone who is moderately mechanically inclined?<br /><br />Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!<br /><br />

 

[Solittle]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Welcome 223!!<br /><br />Your picture does not show on my machine??

 

[Animal223]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Sorry, maybe this link will work.<br /><br /> http://24.45.236.159:2323/images/P0002571.JPG <br /><br />

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Nope. Who is hosting the pics?

 

[Animal223]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

I'm hosting the pics on my own server... guess that won't work. I'll try to get something else to host them.<br /><br />In the meantime, after more investigating, it is definitely leaking from the fuel withdrawal fitting. Any ideas why it would be coming out of the top of the tank?<br /><br />Jared

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Because that is where the fuel is being drawn from (sucked up by the fuel pump), could be a crack in the fitting or something as simple as a loose hose clamp.<br /><br />Try photobucket for pic hosting.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Are you saying that you may have lost 15-20 gals of fuel somewhere in your boat? If so you have a ticking time bomb on your hands. Is it possible the fuel has been absorbed into the floatation foam or is laying in the bilge somewhere?

 

[Animal223]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

I don't think that much fuel is in the bilge. It appears that for the most part it is evaporating almost as fast as it is leaking. At the moment I have cleaned out the bilge area and now have rags surrounding the fuel pickup fitting to absorb/contain any more leaking.\<br /><br />Does anyone know how the pickup tube is installed in the tank (from the inside or outside)? It looks like I can just use a wrench to unscrew it out from the tank; but I didn't want to mess with it until I had some confirmation that loosening the nut would not cause part of it to drop into the tank.<br /><br />Thanks for your help!

 

[JC1933]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Hi Animal,<br /><br /> From your picture it looks like you are loosing fuel from the type of hose clamp you are using, chang it to a proper clamp.<br /><br /> Pickup tube unscrews out of tank no problem,good luck.<br /><br /> ( Claude )

 

[Animal223]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

From your picture it looks like you are loosing fuel from the type of hose clamp you are using, chang it to a proper clamp.<br />

Thanks for your reply, Claude. Please excuse my ignorance, but what would a better type of hose clamp be? I recently purchased the boat used and haven't changed any of the clamps or anything, but if I do I'd like to do it right.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[DJ]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Animal,<br /><br />The hose clamp should be of the "constant torque" type. They have a spring that keeps the clamp screw tight.

 

[xxxxxx]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Animal<br /><br />I just had a problem with 40 hp motor not running right ..took it to a boat place with good people there. They did some work on both visits but faild to find this I'm out boating running good ..motor stops...look back my gas hose is broken. What had happen the gas fitting going into motor the line at that point must have been cracked and sucking air and might been leaking too,Sure runs better now<br />Check your line there may a crack in it. The best missed mine maybe yours too.<br /><br />Michael

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Animal - On my boat, if you lift the sending unit out of the gas tank, there is a gasket between it and the tank. In addition to the clamp and hose already suggested, to be safe you may want to also replace the gasket that I mentioned and re-tourque the sending unit. Better to be safe when dealing with a leaking gas issue.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Suspected fuel leak

Originally posted by RodC:<br /> Are you saying that you may have lost 15-20 gals of fuel somewhere in your boat? If so you have a ticking time bomb on your hands. Is it possible the fuel has been absorbed into the floatation foam or is laying in the bilge somewhere?

If any fuel has leaked into your boat you have a "ticking time bomb" on your hands. Find the leak and fix it, then make sure there is no gas or smell of gas on the boat. Check every compartment, any place you can get to. It's the vapors that explode.