fuel smell in cockpit
 

i topped of tank (315.00 dollars) and took boat out yesterday. all day i coulkd smell fuel? i checked the obvoius bilge area rear of tank in engine compartment can't find any signs of fuel?should i pull up the center section of floor it is screwed in and siliconed. hope the tank isn't leaking :(
scott

:eek::eek:

Unfortunately, it sounds (smells) like the tank is leaking. This is really not something to put off. The tank is foamed in place. If leaking, the fuel may not make back to the engine bilge area for a while, espeically if it's just a minor leak. However, even a minor leak spells fumes.

After checking all the easy and obvious stuff, you'd better pull that floor section and investigate.

It's a bummer but its not a show stopper. New tank, good to go for as long as you own it at least.

Good luck and be careful. Keep us posted.

i pulled up floor no visable signs? i noticed the fuel pump fitting was loose? seems like the wrong size threads on fitting into the tank.i can move it side to side and turn it and here the pump moving so i assume it is venting there for sure but don't know if that is the only problem.

That is good news. Perhaps that's all it is. Easy fix, fairly good access. Hope that's it.:cool:

I had a stainless steel set of fuel lines in my last boat that wheeped fuel smell. The way we found it was take them off, pressurize them and put them in a tub of water. Then after a bit small bubbles would form on the outside of the lines. That one took almost a year to find it was so faint. You will want to check your fittings, hoses, fuel pump etc. The absolute last thing I would do is pull that tank.

thats how mine started, look under the step in the cabin that is where my leak was pooling at.

I had these guys make me a new tank with the specs you can get from formula, they had the best price and the quality and fit and finish was very good according to my tech that put it in.

if you need anymore info let me know

http://www.speedytanks.com/contact/index.html

fuel leak
 

thanks i checked under step no evidence of fuel. i really hope it was that fitting.
scott

It most likely was leaking at the fitting. The key is you mentioned you topped off the tank and while floating the gas tank is leaning overflowing the loose fitting on the back of the tank. While your used up the gas in the tank it stopped leaking and evaporated what leaked out.

Have a friend, true story, with similar problem. Working on the engines, wrench slipped, spark and a click sound and WHOOOM! Deck split from the hull. Multiple fractures requiring surgery, facial burns, fire department rescue. Moral: fix that problem pronto! and don't ignore the scent.

We should all learn from other's experiences. Here at the atom splitter (work at a nuclear power plant) we learn from other plants - good and bad. It's called Operational Experience. The old adage, "don't think it can't happen to you" is oh so true!:cool:

i am definitly gonna fix , i have a 3 year old daughter so no chances.
scott

Scott trust your nose !!!! I would have another set of eyes look at the problem. If the fuel tank is leaking , i believe the fuel tank compartment is seperate from the engine compartment, if the fuel tank is leaking you won't see it in the bilge.The foam in the fuel tank compartment is fuel resistant, but like anything sitting in fuel will absorb some of it.
Are all the connections to the fuel tank good including the vent hose ?
Good luck and keep us posted of your findings!
Brian

fuel tank
 

yeah i ended up pulling tank (what a pain in the ass)found 3 gallons of fuel on floor under tank!!!! cleaned it all up and i am having a new tank made now.
scott

The fuel tank is not seperate from the engine compartment, it is accesable through the engine compartment

if you look you can see all the fill / vent fittings and fuel level sender

good luck I did the same two seasons ago, if you are replacing the fuel sender and are still using the VDO gauges make sure you buy the correct one because they don't use the industry standard in most cases

All the boats I have had have a bulk head between the engine compartment and the area the tank sits in. Although it is accessible, the bulkhead would stop the fuel from running back in the bilge unless there are wheep holes in that bulkhead.

Glad the leak was found, 3 gallons of fuel is a lot, and the scent would be strong. Plus the safety factor would be huge.

good point on the bulkhead, I misunderstood your comment

The last straw with my leak was 5-6 inches of fuel pooled up on the cuddy floor, lucky we made it back to the dock

So glad you pulled the tank. Think of the disaster you avoided. Did the leak come from the fitting or was the tank cracked?

tank was all pitted on bottom. most likely caused by poor intallation at factory. the foam they used held moisture against the tank. my new one should be ready next week.
scott

Scott Fuel tanks are pretty well made today, years ago I had a tank failure in a Magnum, there were welded baffles inside of the tank to keep fuel from sloshing back and forth. I had the tank fail from the stress of the tank moving. It metal fatigued the aluminum welds where the baffles were welded, I found a tiny crack on the bottom of the tank maybe 1/2" long, you could barely see it. We pressurized the tank at a very low pressure, with air and soaped the tank, Bingo there was the leak
Take your time doing the new installation. See what formula recommends now the tecknology is always changing.
Good luck keep us informed.
Brian

Our fuel smell was coming from the gasket on the sending unit . I hope this helps. :drink: