Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Gas Smell

Posted By: Rich H
Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2005, at 10:06 a.m.

Two weeks ago when I got down to Chaser I noticed a fairly strong smell of gasoline. I didn't find any gas floating on the bilge water but the smell was clearly there.

I pulled the decks off and checked the fill and vent hoses but nothing was apparent. Removed the hoses and checked the clamps too (fill and vent hoses replaced in 2003). I had just filled the main tank (original 170 gal fiberglass tank) and had overfilled slightly spilling fuel on the gunnel. I found the fill fitting was not beddded so I assumed some gas may have weeped down around the fill. I cleaned the bilge with Simple Green and the odor was gone. Last Saturday I refilled the main tank again and no odor.

Today I get to the boat and the smell is back. The yard mechanics say the tank must be leaking. We checked all of the fuel lines ( all new last year type A1 fuel line)filter, fitting etc no apparent leaks.

Question is, has anyone heard of the original fiberglass tank leaking? Has anyone else had this problem? Could it be a pin hole in the fill or vent hose that I can't find and is letting enough vapor out so I can smell it but not leak any fuel into the bilge?

Any thoughts or suggestions would really be appreciated. I am really frustrated by this one.

Thanks

Messages In This Thread

Gas Smell
Rich H -- Wednesday, 13 July 2005, at 10:06 a.m.

Re: Gas Smell
Al -- Wednesday, 13 July 2005, at 10:17 a.m.

Re: Gas Smell
Chiles -- Wednesday, 13 July 2005, at 10:18 a.m.

Re: Gas Smell
bruce -- Wednesday, 13 July 2005, at 2:11 p.m.

Re: Gas Smell
Mike Dolan -- Wednesday, 13 July 2005, at 3:58 p.m.

Re: Gas Smell
Rich H -- Thursday, 14 July 2005, at 7:10 a.m.