Hi - I am new to the forum. I have a issue that has recently come up where I have a pretty intense fuel odor coming from all compartments in my brand new 2017 Nauticstar 203 DC with a 150 Yamaha Outboard. See the info below - any ideas are appreciated.
I am bringing it to the Marina where I purchased it but they have already mentioned that this is fairly normal and it is not. 2 of my friends have the same boat without this issue and I have had this boat for about 5 months and until 2 weeks ago, I did not have this issue either.
I filled up my boat about 2 weeks ago. Brought it to the lake only to find that the ramps were closed due to flooding rains we had here earlier that week.
Stored the boat in my garage with the bow and cockpit covers on. I noticed a faint smell of gas every now and then in the garage but chalked it up to the boat being full.
Fast forward to last weekend (about 2 weeks since filling, storing, and covering). I uncovered the boat and found a heavy fuel smell. Inside each compartment it was fairly strong. I checked the bilge and there was no fuel there. I decided to take the boat to the lake, figuring that it would dissipate. While on the lake, it was almost nauseating, especially when going into any of the compartments (Ski locker, under seat storage). This actually had me nervous.
I brought the boat home and put it back in my garage, leaving the covers off and keeping all compartments open hoping the odor would go away. Not the case. After closing the garage doors, and waiting a few hours, the entire garage now has a gas odor. I opened the garage, and took the boat outside. I called a neighbor over who is also a boat owner. He could smell the gas odor down the street (it was a little windy).
Obviously this is not normal. I took off all access panels and felt all lines and did not feel any gas. The other issue that I noticed is that in the past, when I opened the gas cap, air always came rushing out. That is not happening now. I have a little more than a half tank of non ethanol gas currently in there. I am thinking this may be a gas venting issue - any thoughts on that?
The marina said they would look into it and pressurize the tank and check the venting system, but since they have tried to tell me this is normal, I am worried that they may not find anything and stick by their claim that this is normal. I want to arm myself with as much info as possible.
Again - thanks for any help on this issue.
I am bringing it to the Marina where I purchased it but they have already mentioned that this is fairly normal and it is not. 2 of my friends have the same boat without this issue and I have had this boat for about 5 months and until 2 weeks ago, I did not have this issue either.
I filled up my boat about 2 weeks ago. Brought it to the lake only to find that the ramps were closed due to flooding rains we had here earlier that week.
Stored the boat in my garage with the bow and cockpit covers on. I noticed a faint smell of gas every now and then in the garage but chalked it up to the boat being full.
Fast forward to last weekend (about 2 weeks since filling, storing, and covering). I uncovered the boat and found a heavy fuel smell. Inside each compartment it was fairly strong. I checked the bilge and there was no fuel there. I decided to take the boat to the lake, figuring that it would dissipate. While on the lake, it was almost nauseating, especially when going into any of the compartments (Ski locker, under seat storage). This actually had me nervous.
I brought the boat home and put it back in my garage, leaving the covers off and keeping all compartments open hoping the odor would go away. Not the case. After closing the garage doors, and waiting a few hours, the entire garage now has a gas odor. I opened the garage, and took the boat outside. I called a neighbor over who is also a boat owner. He could smell the gas odor down the street (it was a little windy).
Obviously this is not normal. I took off all access panels and felt all lines and did not feel any gas. The other issue that I noticed is that in the past, when I opened the gas cap, air always came rushing out. That is not happening now. I have a little more than a half tank of non ethanol gas currently in there. I am thinking this may be a gas venting issue - any thoughts on that?
The marina said they would look into it and pressurize the tank and check the venting system, but since they have tried to tell me this is normal, I am worried that they may not find anything and stick by their claim that this is normal. I want to arm myself with as much info as possible.
Again - thanks for any help on this issue.
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