smell of gas

[bassindago]

I have a 2000 key largo 180. the last time I put gas in it I filled it up till the gas shot out the vent in the side. since I did that I have the smell of gas under the floor and in my compartments. its so bad that if I put my life jackets in a compartment it reeks of gas. I did this 2 months ago. i have been out in the boat and run the gas down but i can not find where the smell of gas is coming from. the boat has been under the carport with all the compartments open trying to air the boat out. i checked all the hose clamps and they are tight and do not appear to be leaking. does anyone have any suggestions. also the tank is a plastic tank.

 

[bassindago]

Re: smell of gas

I guess I should say the smell is not as strong as it first was but it is still there. I just for the life of me can't imagine the tank having a hole in it. all of a sudden. it might but I cant get to the bottom where the tank is to look.

 

[robert graham]

Re: smell of gas

Sounds like when you over-filled the tank some gas got down in the bottom of the hull and maybe into some floatation foam or an area where it was absorbed and can't readily evaporate away....but if your tank has in fact developed a leak then you'll have to saw open the deck to access/inspect/replace it....that gas smell would really worry me!...keep some fire extenguishers real handy!....good luck!

 

[JimS123]

Re: smell of gas

You need more than fire extinguishers! Get the boat the heck out of that carport and put it at the end of the driveway far away from the house. Certainly, don't run the darn thing.

Empty the boat of all gear, and then wash down every compartment with water, including the bilge. Then drain the boat and dry up everything.

Check the vent and filler tube. Sounds like you have a leak at the top of one or both of those. Tighten them securely. In the future, never overfill the tank. Calibrate your gas gage and only add enough gas to fill it to 9/10 full. The overflow pipe is for emergency. Its not intended as a level to top off the tank.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: smell of gas

were you able to access and check the vent tube where it connects to the tank. ???

Possibly you blew the vent tube off of the tank fitting when you over filled the tank.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: smell of gas

were you able to access and check the vent tube where it connects to the tank. ???

Possibly you blew the vent tube off of the tank fitting when you over filled the tank.

X 2 and very likely. If you are not finding gas, just the smell that is most likely the cause IF all access' have been flushed and dried. Unlikely foam absorbed gas if flushed and dried quickly.

 

[bassindago]

Re: smell of gas

were you able to access and check the vent tube where it connects to the tank. ???

Possibly you blew the vent tube off of the tank fitting when you over filled the tank.

yes I have a round access hole over the connection of the gas tank. thank you for your suggestion. I will get it from under the carport. I didn't even think bout that. I checked all the hoses and none blew off. I'm aggravated with it as my wife and I just bought it back in November. I know boats are holes in the water to throw money into, but if the floor has to be cut out to get to the tank this may be one boat that sits in the back yard. ill just sell the brand new motor on it. anyways I cannot think of anything else as to why the smell of gas is still there. I do appreciate ur suggestions.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: smell of gas

yes I have a round access hole over the connection of the gas tank. thank you for your suggestion. I will get it from under the carport. I didn't even think bout that. I checked all the hoses and none blew off. I'm aggravated with it as my wife and I just bought it back in November. I know boats are holes in the water to throw money into, but if the floor has to be cut out to get to the tank this may be one boat that sits in the back yard. ill just sell the brand new motor on it. anyways I cannot think of anything else as to why the smell of gas is still there. I do appreciate ur suggestions.

Also, keep in mind that there are two typical types of tank venting set-ups

(1) internal vent line so the vent hose & fitting are towards the rear of the tank, along with the other fittings, sender, etc.

(2) external vent line, where the vent hose attaches at the forward end of the tank. . . . this would be tougher to access.

Be safe in your investigation, since you have fumes present.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: smell of gas

I'd start with replacing the vent line,accsess is limited but if ya attach a tracer line to it and pull the vent line out,I'd bet it has some seepage in hard to see places. Be shure to replace anything with marine rated parts.

 

[bassindago]

Re: smell of gas

it was the vent line. it had a slight bow in the line that was holding gas and had a pin hole in it. thank you for your help.