Re: Gasoline in bilge :-(
Thanks. I went this morning to the marina, and retired the two batteries (which need maintenance and/or replacement, so this is a good occasion to do so).<br /><br />However, with two kids and wife waiting at home to go out on sunday, I didnt have the cold blood to stay more time with the boat and work today on the inspection of the fuel system. It has to be tomorrow.<br /><br />I'm planning the job as follows:<br /><br />1) Inspect main fuel line from tank to water separator filter. Take it out, Disconnect from tank and from filter, and check carefully. Anyways I will replace it as it is somewhat dry and old.<br /><br />2) Inspect round access panel under center console to see if I can reach the fuel level sender. If easy access is possible, I will smell the area (or use a hose to do it...I know it is not a healthy practice, but at least we don't have mtbe here...I will minimize the smelling anyways). I will try to visually inspect the fuel level sender assembly (to see if it is firmly in place, and there are no leaks there). I will try to see if all screws/bolts are in place... do you reccomend taking it out?? remember...there is fuel inside the tank....<br /><br />3) Try to visually inspect the main hose from gasoline cap to tank. It is a big diameter black hose. It looks in good condition, but I can't see the whole length, because the round access port is too small, and I only see the portion that attaches to the gas cap. I will inspect the clamp there to see if it seals ok. Dunno how the hell I will inspect the rest of the hose that goes vertically deep down the hull to reach the tank. I think this paragraph equally applies to the vent hose inspection.<br /><br />4) If at this point the leak is not detected, I need to have some specialist pump all the fuel out of the boat. There is a man here that renders that service for cleaning of fuel tanks. He did it once to our boat. I was not present, but I think he has the righ equipment to do that. In any case, I will make sure I'm at home when he does that !!!<br /><br />5) Once the tank is empty, I will make sure all fumes are ventilated. Maybe I will have to wait some days with the cap open and the line to the water separator disconnected. Maybe I will open the fuel sender too. Pumping some air to force ventilation could also be done. I have a vacuum cleaner that can be reversed to pump air instead of suck air. I was thinking in having the vacuum cleaner in the ground (not in the boat) , with the vacuum hose and tip pipe inside the gas cap, to force some air in the tank.<br /><br />6) Once the fumes are reasonably gone, proceed to the pressure test. I will seal: the line out to the separator filter, the fuel sender port, and the gas cap. I will try to pump air through the vent hose.<br /><br />Well, that's all I have in mind for now.<br /><br />Anyways I'm always happy of any opportunity to inspect my boat, so I know it more and more. That gives me an unvaluable safety sensation.
