Fuel smell in cabin

[Sumner Wyall]

I have a 27ft Sundancer built in 2001. It has a 7.4 Mercruiser with a bravo III outdrive. I have a very obvious gas odor when I open the engine hatch or the sliding door going down into the cabin. Any ideas on where I should start looking. I’m assuming the fuel tank is a good start. I hope the fuel tank is not leaking and I’m thinking the fuel tank is under the floor in the cabin. I have the manual but it’s not much help on troubleshooting.

 

[northern]

If you have any water under the engine is there a sheen of gas on it. If you smell gas after boat sits for long time it is a leak and dangerous. Turn on the blower and see if the smell clears. If it does let boat sit for a few days and if the smell is back you need to follow all the lines. First place to look is gas filter after that tighten all the hose clamps at the same time feel the lines for damp.

 

[Nmor830]

Not sure the 7.4 Mercruser has the same cool fuel module as the 8.1 but it has been problem component. With mine the regulator was stuck open and caused way to much fuel flow. The muffler filled with excess fuel and water, it stunk up the whole boat. Obviously whenever your smelling fuel use extreme caution.