2001 270 – two fuel caps?
- Thread starter Clemens
- Start date
Brite Idea
Active Member
- Nov 5, 2011
- 451
- Boat Info
- 2010 310 Sundancer
270 Sundancer 2000
- Engines
- twin 5.0 ECT Bravo III's
twin 4.3 TBI Merecrusier Alpha Gen II counter rotating drives
I would go in the bilge and follow the fuel fills to their tanks. The gas cap is the original but it looks like someone may have added another tank? My last boat was a 2000 270 and the single 100 gallon tank in a twin engine boat was not big enough for any extended cruising, so I could see adding a second tank. I would mostly be concerned with how it's plumbed and the secondary tank being left empty? Please post back when you figure it out.
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
That seems...unsafe? Have you removed the cap from the fuel side? Is it plugged or is there a filler tube going "somewhere"?
Like said above I'd definitely want to make sure you don't have some other fuel tank in the bilge. Once cleaned up I'd seal that off, put an unmarked lid on it.
Like said above I'd definitely want to make sure you don't have some other fuel tank in the bilge. Once cleaned up I'd seal that off, put an unmarked lid on it.
The "gas" cap is newer than the boat. The "fuel" cap looks to be the original. Best guess... the original fuel hose was deteriorating (normal, given the age) and it was easier to put a brand new fitting and hose in than to remove the old hose. As mentioned, though, get down in the bilge and locate the lines. Chances are, you'll find the old hose either just laying there no connected, plugged up or cut off higher up towards the gunwale.
And... YES! This is EXTREMELY UNSAFE. It's not hard to imagine a scenario where someone may inadvertently put gas into the "fuel" fitting. Heck, people have been known to put gas into a rod holder! I would put addressing this high up on your priority list.
And... YES! This is EXTREMELY UNSAFE. It's not hard to imagine a scenario where someone may inadvertently put gas into the "fuel" fitting. Heck, people have been known to put gas into a rod holder! I would put addressing this high up on your priority list.
northern
Well-Known Member
- Jan 17, 2007
- 3,526
- Boat Info
- 380 Aft Cabin 1989 Charts Timezero radar Furuno
- Engines
- Twin 454 strait shaft
Is it your holding tank pump out. Do both smell like gas. Is it an oil line for a heater on the boat. If it is a new line to the gas tank they would have had to cut a new hole in the tank unless they "T" into the existing fill line.
They wouldn't need a new hole in the tank, though - just pull the old hose off the tank's fill nipple and put the new hose back on.
Wait a minute... now that I'm on a normal sized screen (and not my phone)... I need to change what I mentioned.
I was also looking at his signature where it said "1996 270 Sundancer".
The "gas" fill is the one that Sea Ray would have used in "2001" on that boat... I can also now see that it's in the proper (indented, so to say) spot. So, yes, the "gas" fill is the proper one to us.
Now... the "fuel" cap... That one is not original to the boat. That was installed somehwere along the line after the factory - you can also tell by the square head screws, which weren't used by the factory.
That said... the advice of tracing the line is still the best. The only thing we can do is try and guess what that is used for and where it leads to.
I'd also reiterrate that this could still be a VERY unsafe thing. Unless a previous owner did something like adding a second tank... but I'd checking that install with a fine tooth comb!
I was also looking at his signature where it said "1996 270 Sundancer".
The "gas" fill is the one that Sea Ray would have used in "2001" on that boat... I can also now see that it's in the proper (indented, so to say) spot. So, yes, the "gas" fill is the proper one to us.
Now... the "fuel" cap... That one is not original to the boat. That was installed somehwere along the line after the factory - you can also tell by the square head screws, which weren't used by the factory.
That said... the advice of tracing the line is still the best. The only thing we can do is try and guess what that is used for and where it leads to.
I'd also reiterrate that this could still be a VERY unsafe thing. Unless a previous owner did something like adding a second tank... but I'd checking that install with a fine tooth comb!
Last edited:
- Sep 25, 2016
- 1,254
- Boat Info
- 300 Sundancer 1994, trailered tri-axle LoadRite roller
- Engines
- Mercruiser 5.7 260HP Alpha One Gen II, twin
agree with @Lazy Daze last post.
96,97,98 are all Port side in the molded "spill way" from the factory. But with the flush style cap.
freshwater and black water tanks and deck fittings are on the starboard side, so not related to that.
96,97,98 are all Port side in the molded "spill way" from the factory. But with the flush style cap.
freshwater and black water tanks and deck fittings are on the starboard side, so not related to that.
Spitballing here. Perhaps someone installed a diesel generator, requiring a separate fuel tank?
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,185
- Boat Info
- This is listed in my signature
- Engines
- This is listed in my signature
Hi team,
Many thanks for your numerous replies! I did try to have a look in the engine compartment and follow the inlet hoses, but unfortunately I can't see them from there. Is there a better way to trace them?
It is a 2001 model I believe. The boat we originally intended to purchase was a 1996, so I added that to my signature when I initially registered.
Cheers
Clemens
Many thanks for your numerous replies! I did try to have a look in the engine compartment and follow the inlet hoses, but unfortunately I can't see them from there. Is there a better way to trace them?
It is a 2001 model I believe. The boat we originally intended to purchase was a 1996, so I added that to my signature when I initially registered.
Cheers
Clemens
Chris-380
Well-Known Member
I had this on a friends boat, so I thought the same thing
Chris-380
Well-Known Member
Thank you for this second post LD. I was thinking what you said here, when I saw your first boat, I was like “I must of missed that in the pic on my phone” lol, my old eyes and small screen has got my a couple times over the years
Brite Idea
Active Member
- Nov 5, 2011
- 451
- Boat Info
- 2010 310 Sundancer
270 Sundancer 2000
- Engines
- twin 5.0 ECT Bravo III's
twin 4.3 TBI Merecrusier Alpha Gen II counter rotating drives
Like I said previously I owned a 2000 270 twin engine Sundancer for 17 years. This is a great boat and I know it inside and out. Please open the engine hatch and closely examine even snap a picture of the port side engine compartment. The fuel fills you have are above the batteries and battery charger. On my boat I could easily put my hand on the fuel fill and follow it all the way to the fuel tank. I suspect someone added a second tank for extended range or as suggested for a generator? I sold my 270 last summer and moved up to a 310 which I'm still becoming familiar with but by the end of this season I'll be fully versed on every nook and cranny of the boat. Please post back what you find?
Hi Brite Idea,
Many thanks for your response. I haven't been able to track the hoses unfortunately. I can see there is a black/green and a black/red hose entering from that area above the water tank, but unfortunately that's all. I see from the owners manual that the fuel tank should be quite low and have space for an additional generator. On my boat there is a rectangular metal tank strapped in that place. Surely the metal tank is the original 100gal fuel tank? But what’s the plastic tank underneath for?
I'm taking the boat to a mechanic in early February, so as a last resort he should be able to clear up the mystery! I'll be in touch!
In the meantime, I do have a few other questions though:
I seem to have a Waeco drawer fridge under the aft dinette seat, but it doesn't seem to be working — is there a hidden switch or fuse somewhere I need to flick?
The cockpit/outside speakers don't seem to be working, not even quietly. Is there anything I need to enable/turn on for these to work? I have tried FADE all the way aft on the radio, but unfortunately without success. Have also changed the AUX sensitivity and NF volume adjustment, to no avail. The two speakers in the V berth are working just fine.
Thanks, team!
Last edited:
Chip S
Active Member
- Jun 17, 2019
- 432
- Boat Info
- 1993 Sea Ray 200 Overnighter
- Engines
- 2023 Mercury 150 hp Four Stroke Outboard
The plastic tank under the floor is the original fuel tank. The metal tank above the floor looks to be an additional fuel tank that was added. You'll have to trace the hoses to be sure, but it looks like each tank is feeding one engine. In the picture, the metal tank is feeding the fuel filter on the left and the plastic tank is feeding the fuel filter on the right. Again, trace the hoses to be sure, but that's what it appears to be.
The black/green hose says "sanitation" and is for the holding tank. It shouldn't be relevant.
The black/green hose says "sanitation" and is for the holding tank. It shouldn't be relevant.
The filter on the port side appears to coming from the original fuel tank and then feeding the port engine. The filter in the middle appears to be coming from the metal tank and then I "think" I see a fuel line going towards the stbd engine. FYI, that metal tank is not 100g - just measure it and do the math.
Notice that I said "appears" a few times. You're there in person and should be much more able to figure out what is connected to what than us. Just simply follow the lines.
Now... the filter on the stbd side... no clue - would only be guessing. Follow the lines.
The "sanitation hose"... it shouldn't be on the port side, though. The pump-out fitting should be on the stbd side of the boat. I'm not convinced that it is actually used for sanitation/pump-outs... unless someone re-routed it to the port side... but why didn't they use a proper pump-out deck fitting. Again, you need to a better job of looking closer and following the hoses.
The normal spot for the fridge would be under the stove. If you have a drawer-style, that was added by a previous owner. The logical place for power would be the MDP, just like the standard fridge (although sometimes there was a switch on the dash, too). Other than that, you will be able to figure it out better than we can since this is another PO's add-on.
Speakers... same thing... a lot of this depends on what stereo you have. Try swapping a speaker from inside to outside to figure out where the issue is, for starters.
Notice that I said "appears" a few times. You're there in person and should be much more able to figure out what is connected to what than us. Just simply follow the lines.
Now... the filter on the stbd side... no clue - would only be guessing. Follow the lines.
The "sanitation hose"... it shouldn't be on the port side, though. The pump-out fitting should be on the stbd side of the boat. I'm not convinced that it is actually used for sanitation/pump-outs... unless someone re-routed it to the port side... but why didn't they use a proper pump-out deck fitting. Again, you need to a better job of looking closer and following the hoses.
The normal spot for the fridge would be under the stove. If you have a drawer-style, that was added by a previous owner. The logical place for power would be the MDP, just like the standard fridge (although sometimes there was a switch on the dash, too). Other than that, you will be able to figure it out better than we can since this is another PO's add-on.
Speakers... same thing... a lot of this depends on what stereo you have. Try swapping a speaker from inside to outside to figure out where the issue is, for starters.
Brite Idea
Active Member
- Nov 5, 2011
- 451
- Boat Info
- 2010 310 Sundancer
270 Sundancer 2000
- Engines
- twin 5.0 ECT Bravo III's
twin 4.3 TBI Merecrusier Alpha Gen II counter rotating drives
The belly tank is original and the aluminum is the add on. Do you have more than one fuel gauge? The fridge drawer in the aft dinette seat is where my air conditioner was, so do you have AC? I've read those fridge drawers are voltage sensitive and that may be your problem there. The original stereo was a Clarion with an amplifier that if you disconnected the batteries when you hooked them back up you'd have to reconfigure everything. If you have the original speakers they could be shot and need replacing.
Hi team,
just to follow up on this and supply a few answers.
There is in fact an auxiliary tank on top of the factory tank that has its own valve and fuel filter and feeds into the main tank. Only have the one fuel gauge though. I’m only using the Fuel Used counters on the digital gauges though as they’re just so much more accurate.
The drawer fridge is working as well. Just needed the switch labelled “Fridge” on the helm to be switched. The main fridge is wired independently.
Only the front two speakers in the cabin were working. The forward two in the cockpit were unplugged for some reason and the aft two were actually blown, so have replaced them.
Thanks again for your help everyone!
just to follow up on this and supply a few answers.
There is in fact an auxiliary tank on top of the factory tank that has its own valve and fuel filter and feeds into the main tank. Only have the one fuel gauge though. I’m only using the Fuel Used counters on the digital gauges though as they’re just so much more accurate.
The drawer fridge is working as well. Just needed the switch labelled “Fridge” on the helm to be switched. The main fridge is wired independently.
Only the front two speakers in the cabin were working. The forward two in the cockpit were unplugged for some reason and the aft two were actually blown, so have replaced them.
Thanks again for your help everyone!
