Gasoline smell in cabin, engine compartment

R

Roger Morris

New Member
Jul 23, 2013
18
Florida
Boat Info
Sundancer
Engines
Mercruiser
I have a faint gasoline smell in the cabin & engine compartment of my 2001 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer, observed for the 1st time about two weeks ago. There are no apparent signs of a leak--I have checked the bilge and all fuel lines & filters (twice). My boat is lift-stored with the drain plug removed and no sheen appears in the water below the boat. In my model boat, only the aft portion of the fuel tank is visible in the engine compartment. Because I cannot readily see it, I assume the tank vent line is forward of the visible portion of the tank (hoping someone can confirm that). The engines have not been run in about 6 weeks. I understand how dangerous this might be if there actually is a leak of fuel and/or fumes, so I'm looking for input from others who have either experienced this themselves, or have ideas on what may be a possible cause. Thank you in advance.
 
Is your boat equipped with a bilge fume detector. If not I would recommend installing one. I have had issues with false alarms on my previous Xintex units so I removed it installed a unit made by Marine Tecnologies. So far it has worked well. I would never own a gas boat with enclosed engines and fuel tank without a fume detector.
 
hottoddie said:
Is your boat equipped with a bilge fume detector. If not I would recommend installing one. I have had issues with false alarms on my previous Xintex units so I removed it installed a unit made by Marine Tecnologies. So far it has worked well. I would never own a gas boat with enclosed engines and fuel tank without a fume detector.
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Unfortunately, I do not...good suggestion and thanks for the recommendation on the unit. I will check into that. Thank you.
 
check your vent hose on top of the tanks. the hose clamps over time loosen. if the tank is full and fuel expands as the temp goes up, the fuel moves up this line and if the clamp is loose it weeps out leaving you with a smelly cabin.
 
Last week on a hot day we had a boat on the dock whose tank was dripping gas out of the breather. The hot day caused his full tank (on a cold day) to expand that much. So, the story here is it might not be your boat - also look to neighboring boats.

This is also one reason that no one should be smoking on the dock as tossing a cigarette into the water could potentially start a fire.

-Kevin
 
I had the same in my 280 sundancer, in my case the bolts the hold the fuel level sender in the top of the tank had loosened over time and let fumes escape into the aft berth, bilge and cabin. Tightened them up a turn or so and it resolved the issue completely in the 280 there is an access panel under the center aft berth cushion
 
stg099 said:
I had the same in my 280 sundancer, in my case the bolts the hold the fuel level sender in the top of the tank had loosened over time and let fumes escape into the aft berth, bilge and cabin. Tightened them up a turn or so and it resolved the issue completely in the 280 there is an access panel under the center aft berth cushion
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Thank you--I did not think to look for access under the aft berth and will do that this weekend. Thanks again!
 
Thanks for all the input, everyone. I forgot to mention that my tank is about 3/4 full, so not topped off, and the closest neighboring boat is about 50' away. Thank you again for the input.
 
Check all hose connections, from the deck fill all the way to the engine.

The other possibility is a pinhole leak in the tank. Water gets in, corroded the tank and gas starts weeping out. On most boats this us a major surgery to R&R
 
dtfeld said:
Check all hose connections, from the deck fill all the way to the engine.

The other possibility is a pinhole leak in the tank. Water gets in, corroded the tank and gas starts weeping out. On most boats this us a major surgery to R&R
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I believe the 290 has a similar tank to my 280, in which case I believe the tank is plastic, so unless a crack has formed, we don't have to worry much about corrosion.
 
stg099 said:
I believe the 290 has a similar tank to my 280, in which case I believe the tank is plastic, so unless a crack has formed, we don't have to worry much about corrosion.
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Thank you. I will check it again, but I believe mine is metal.
 
dtfeld said:
Check all hose connections, from the deck fill all the way to the engine.

The other possibility is a pinhole leak in the tank. Water gets in, corroded the tank and gas starts weeping out. On most boats this us a major surgery to R&R
Click to expand...
Thank you for the info and suggestions...sure hope it's not a pinhole leak...$$$. Thanks again.
 
My fill hose became porous, probably from ethanol. Smell was pretty strong and easy to trace.
 
Last edited:
rondds said:
My fill hose become porous, probably from ethanol. Smell was pretty strong and easy to trace.
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That could be it, I replaced the fill, feed and vent hoses on my boat. Even though these hoses are alcohol rated A1 / A2 they are not alcohol proof. After 10+yrs they are reaching the end of their service life. In my case the feed line was deteriorated from inside and causing fuel related running issues. Can't say the fill and vent line needed to be replaced, but I just did all three while I was at it. The outside of these hoses should not have a fuel smell to them.

A1--fuel feed hose; has a fire resistant cover; is designed to have fuel in the hose at all times. Least permeable with highest fire resistance.

A2--fuel vent hose; has a fire resistant cover; is not designed to have fuel in the hose at all times.

B1--fuel feed hose; without fire resistant cover; is designed to have fuel in the hose at all times; intended for non-enclosed spaces. Diesel engines or above deck outboard gasoline applications.

B2--fuel vent hose; without fire resistant cover; is not designed to have fuel in the hose at all times. Diesel vent lines.
 
Had/have this same problem - Partial Solution: Turned out bugs had invaded and blocked my fuel tank vent - they to like the smell of gasoline. cleared the vent solved SOME of the problem.

Filled the tank, drove the boat around, put it back on the trailer, put cockpit cover on, went to leave but had left my car keys aboard. So immediately went back to boat. unsnapped cockpit cover. Got a whiff of fuel smell. Thought i had a major problem. went back next day. Fuel smell GONE in cockpit. Fuel smell GONE in engine room. Fuel smell REMAINED in mid cabin cubby with the cubby door closed but not the mid cabin itself. Cubby is right next to the fuel vent.
Makes me think I have a carb issue when the engines are shut down and cockpit cover causes some kind of ventilation issue.
I have a fume alarm. It has always indicated Green - OK
 
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