I Smell Fuel...

[Jacalore]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

Will check fill and vent hoses tomorrow. Yesterday, filled boat with gas. Also, a bit rough out on the bay and some water was dripping in thru the windshield over the ski locker. I'm wondering if some overflow got in there somehow and the puddle is actually water sitting on a carpet that retained the fuel smell? Possible?

Please, I don't want to cut into the floor!

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

1st see exactly what is in the locker. If water -- move on. You mentioned carpet,,, stuff does not belong on a boat-- possibly there was a spill and it retains the fumes, unlikely but possible. Open all the hatch plates in the floor and look with a flashlight and mirror for gas. Usually, the fill tube/vent is accessible too. Make sure there are no leaks there. Although the tank is suspect-- leaks generally leave liquid not just fumes. If you had to pump real slow or had gas rush out the vent when filling the vent tube could be kinked or wasps made a nest.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

The bilge before yesterday's trip was bone dry. For days, no liquid of any type. The ski locker has liquid today, after yesterday's rough trip. There was no sheen, like fuel, but there was a heavy smell of gas.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

See post #9 & #18. Wait much longer and the hole will be made for you.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

I may have found the problem. The fuel gauge sender unit mounted on top of the tank has stripped screws holding it down. I bought a new gasket and when I went to unscrew the unit, 3 of the screws just swiveled in place. It's not set up right, I don't think. It's supposed to be philips head screws, these look like self tapping screws (photo below). What are my options from here?

 

[Jacalore]

Fuel Gauge Sender Leaking

Fuel Gauge Sender Leaking

The screws that mount the sender to the tank are stripped. They look like self tapping hex-head type. I don't think this is the original setup. What's the best way to seal this leak? Thanks.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fuel Gauge Sender Leaking

Re: Fuel Gauge Sender Leaking

The screws that mount the sender to the tank are stripped. They look like self tapping hex-head type. I don't think this is the original setup. What's the best way to seal this leak? Thanks.

Your pictures didn't show up.
Try sending them again.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

Plastic or metal tank? (I'm thinking metal since they used self tapping screws.)

1- Use bigger screws that will bite into tank, metric? (May have to drill out holes in sender and punch gasket holes bigger.)
2- Make a plate that you can slip into the tank and bolt the sender to the fresh metal plate. (Have to get creative here...)

How much room do you have to work with, tight space or open access?

 

[Jacalore]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

Correct, metal tank. Tried same size self-tapping screw but with coarse threads, they just fell thru... Thinking stainless screws larger size would cut new threads, hoping for some bite. Is there a better way?

 

[Jacalore]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

You mentioned carpet,,, stuff does not belong on a boat

You are so right. Scrubbed the carpet several times, still wreaked of fuel. Took your advice and ripped it out. Cleaned the area thoroughly. Will treat with bed liner spray sometime later. Secured the fuel gauge sender with oversized screws and the smell is gone! I love a happy ending.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

Me too:bolt:

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

Glad your problem has been solved. Carpet holds odors gas, fish, and just about everything. It also holds water to cause worse problems.

You are so right. Scrubbed the carpet several times, still wreaked of fuel. Took your advice and ripped it out. Cleaned the area thoroughly. Will treat with bed liner spray sometime later. Secured the fuel gauge sender with oversized screws and the smell is gone! I love a happy ending.

 

[slag]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

The carpet I have on my boat dries very fast. it's nice to walk on that with bare feet vs friction paint or bed liner.

I'm rehabbing a pontoon and will put carpet back on it also. It just has a nice feel and, if left where air circulates, dries fast.

Glad you figured out the problem OP.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: I Smell Fuel...

I have a thin, fast drying, textured carpet on the floor, but the ski locker had a plush rug glued in there and it's always wet, then with the fuel leak, captured the fumes. Agree, on exposed walking surfaces on small boats, carpet, the right kind, feels good, is safe footing and adds color.