Help, I smell gas!

[Dan]

I just filled up my tank tonight. I now have a full 130 gal. Ouch! When I brought the boat back home and jacked the bow up, I started getting a lot of bilge water coming out. I really don't know where that came from either except maybe from all of the rain we have had lately?. Anyway I collected some of the water and it smelled a little like gas plus it had a light sheen on top. I popped the inspection plate above my tank and stuck my nose down it. I could smell gas pretty strong. I could also smell it under my console. I have thought I have smelt gas before when my tank was full but never payed that much attention to it. But I definitely believe it is worth checking out now. What due y'all suggest I do now? Mine is an '88 w/ the original 130G tank.

Dan

[capesams]

Croakerlips:

What I would do is get on the phone, maybe the boat yard you like to use and find out who can do a presure test on the tank.THen go and take all your deck lids off to air out. If the tank tests out ok you must have a bad gas hose/line some where , don't fool with it. Take the time now to get it fixed, or take the chance that it could go BOOM! [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

[Trayder]

There are so many different things it could be. How's that for a precise answer [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Check the hoses, particularly the fill hose, condition. Then check the gaskets around the sending unit and fuel fill areas. If all check out ok I would guess it is a serious issue and may be a hole in the tank.

Considering you have noticed it after you filled up with fuel. I would bet it is a hose or gasket issue.

It is also pssible I am forgeting something hopefully some one else can chime in on the specifics of your tank.

[Lucky Dog]

I had a similar problem, 20 CC with two tanks under console . noticed gas smell , leak after fill up. gas expanded and ran out cracked fuel line at top of tank where hose went in. Cut an access hole in the port side of console and put a deck hatch door. replaced hoses and double clamped , problem solved. hope yours is that simple. later, Lucky Dog.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA CROAKERLIPS
I ONCE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SENDING UNIT. I DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE WHOLE TANK SO TO DETERMINE WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS I FIRST FLUSHED THE ENTIRE BILGE OUT THEN I ONLY FILL THE TANK TO ¾ FULL FOR 3 TIMES IN A ROW NO GAS PROBLEM. BUT WHEN I FILLED IT TO THE TOP GAS PROBLEM. YOU MIGHT WANT TO FIRST DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE A TANK WITH A HOLE IN IT OR A FUEL FILL, AIR EXHAUST OR A SENDING UNIT OR A GAS LINE PROBLEM BY REMOVING 25% ON THE FUEL OUT OF THE TANKS IF THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. IF YOU STILL HAVE A GAS LEAK YOU WILL NEED TO REMOVE THE WHOLE TANK. MOST FOAM IN TANKS WILL START GOING IN 7-12 YEARS. THE SALT WATER SITS AGAINST THE TANK CAUSES THE PROBLEM IF YOU LOOK AT http://www.yachtsurvey.com/ UNDER MAINTAINS AND THEN GO TO HOW TO INSTALL A ALUMINUM FUEL TANK HE WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST WAY ON INSTALLING A TANK PLUS LOADS OF INFO ON THE SUBJECT.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

[Dan]

Thanks for the follow up guys. I took a better look at the sending unit gasket and it wasn't sitting right. The sealant I had used wasn't holding and it had started to buckle just slightly. My tank is slam full right now too. I put in a new gasket tonight w/ plenty of permatex sealant. Gas smell seemed to go away but the wind was picking up too due to yet another approaching t'storm. I have my fingers crossed.

Dan [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[Miles Offshore]

Darn Dan, sorry to hear!!!, Hope you got her fixed!!! If anything I can do let me know and I would be more than happy to help. Craig