Gas in bilge. What to check?

[phughes200]

The other day, I filled up my boat and put up on a boat lift. Five days later, I went to use the baot and found gas in the bilge. I removed the gas and left the boat open. The following day, the bilge was still dry.

What is the likely cause? I am guessing that the fuel lines need replacing since the previous owner got his gas from a gas station so it probably contained ethanol.

I assume both lines from the filter to the fuel cooler should be replaced. What about the line from the tank to the filter? Also do I need to be concerned about the line from the gas tank to the fuel filler inlet?

Is it safe to turn the blower on? What about the bilge pump?

Needless to say, I have a call into a boat mechanic to look at this. I also have no intention of starting the boat until the mechanic repairs the leak.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Yes, it's safe to turn on the blowers. In fact, I'd turn them on and leave them on well past the point where you don't smell any gas. When you said you removed the gas, are you saying you pumped out the tank, or removed the gas from the bilge? Also, how much gas did you find in the bilge? Just a small amount, or a gallon or more.

If the boat was still dry the next day that signals there isn't a leaky tank, so is there a chance your gas fill overboard discharge line has come loose? That's the line that spits some gas out the side of the boat when you have filled the tank to capacity. If it came loose inside the hull it would have spit that overfill into the bilge.

If that overflow line is still connected, you likely have a rotting hose or a bad fitting around a fuel filter, etc. Feel around all of the gas lines with a paper towel. It will let you know in a hurry if and where there's a leak.

Just a suggestion...if you're working in the bilge, put an electric fan up on one of the seat cushions so it can blow fresh air across and into the bilge while you're down there. Just be sure to keep the fan away from the bilge by several feet because it's not spark protected.

 

[KC_Sundancer]

Be careful, though there was no more gas leaking it can still be the tank if it's cracked or corroded near the top. My Dad's 74, 240 weekender has the tank in the floor and when filled it started leaking from the area of the sending unit which is on top near the aft end. The angle of the tank had it leaking down a few gallons when completely filled. Good Luck :huh:

 

[phughes200]

I remove all the liquid from the bilge. The gas tank is still full. The boat is on a lift that has the bow end of the bunks 6+ inches higher than the rear.

I am not sure how much gas was in the bilge. It was mixed in with rain water that got past the boat covers. I was definately enough to cause an explosion.

 

[phughes200]

I do not appear to have an overflow line. I do have a vent line that connects to the filler pipe. That line appears secure at the filler end. The other end is not accessable or visual.

The paper towel didn't show any leaks but the line could be completely drained and dry be now.

Why does this always happen the day before you have company?

 

[Gofirstclass]

"Why does this always happen the day before you have company?"

Are any of your company named Murphy?

I'd suggest you take it back to the gas dock and fill it again, and this time have someone watch the tank and the vent line to see if there's any indication of a leak.

 

[CliffA]

I remove all the liquid from the bilge. The gas tank is still full. The boat is on a lift that has the bow end of the bunks 6+ inches higher than the rear.

I am not sure how much gas was in the bilge. It was mixed in with rain water that got past the boat covers. I was definately enough to cause an explosion.

you may want to raise the bow a little more while the boat is on the lift...if there is a small leak in the tank the angle of the boat may not be sufficient to force the gas to flow back to the bilge to where you can see it.....

cliff

 

[phughes200]

I'd suggest you take it back to the gas dock and fill it again, and this time have someone watch the tank and the vent line to see if there's any indication of a leak.

I am not going anyway until I determine where the leak is. A gas line leaking gas and a hot engine does not sound like fun.

 

[edsmax]

I would be carefull in running the blowers - this can produce a spark. Can't you find the fuel leak yourself by following the lines?

Also, I believe your boat has a plastic tank (not metal) so it is "probably" not an issue. I would just check all of your lines and the area around your throttle body and the two injectors inside.

Ed

 

[phughes200]

The tank is plastic. I have followed the lines from the tank to the fuel filter and from the fuel filter to the fuel cooler. They appear dry but if they are leaking they could have drained out by now. I will try to follow the lines from the fuel cooler.

I don't think it is the fuel tank but I have not pull up the floor to do a visual check. There just does not seem to be any new gas in the bilge after 48 hours.

I have called four mechanics and am still waiting for a callback.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I would be carefull in running the blowers - this can produce a spark.
Ed

The exact purpose of the blowers is to remove gas fumes from the ER to provide a safe start. They are ignition protected. Keep 'em on.

 

[tommyc_37]

I have a similar concern with my boat, although I suspect it's not as serious. Sorry for hijacking the thread - I figured it's a related question, so it fits here.

A few months ago I had a survey done, and one of the things that was brought to my attention was that the outer casing of the fuel fill hose had some cracks in it. I have noticed that when I go into the aft cabin, there is a fairly strong smell of gas, but it's more of an exhaust smell than a fresh fuel smell.

Am I in any immediate danger?

 

[Gunn]

The exact purpose of the blowers is to remove gas fumes from the ER to provide a safe start. They are ignition protected. Keep 'em on.

:thumbsup:

I have a similar concern with my boat, although I suspect it's not as serious. Sorry for hijacking the thread - I figured it's a related question, so it fits here.

A few months ago I had a survey done, and one of the things that was brought to my attention was that the outer casing of the fuel fill hose had some cracks in it....
Am I in any immediate danger?

Fix it! I can't say if you are in immediate danger as I'm not one to overreact, but if you've known about this for a few months, immediate may not be the right word...you are still alive!

But remember it's not the fluid that combusts, it's the fumes. So having the smell of fumes on your boat is cause for concern.

 

[phughes200]

OP here. Is ther any possibility that my problem is related to having a full tank of gas and raising the boat on a boat lift (with front of bunks higher than the rear) during a heat wave? I can't see how this can be anything but a coinidence?

Any tips on how to get boat mechanics to call you back? Does a bribe help?

 

[spfortjohn]

Check around your fuel sender on top of the tank. The gasket has been known to leak so when full and tilted. = leak.

 

[Bugsy24]

Also check if you have... A fuel Water Separator !!!!! It looks like a spin on Oil Filter, I had an instance where the bottom of the Filter rusted through and dumped gas into the Bilge!!!

 

[phughes200]

Water seperator filter is okay.

Fuel sender gasket looks okay but looks can be decieving.

 

[phughes200]

Is safe to turn the iginition switch to the on position which should pressurize the lines so I can check for leaks?

Does anybody know when SeaRay start using fuel lines that are safe for ethanol?

Can the fuel lines be replaced without removing the fuel cooler on the 5.0l, EFI engine?

 

[phughes200]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Had to open the floor access panel to look at the gas tank. It turns out the vent line had a hole in it. It looks like when they built the boat one of the hardware mounting screws pierced the line. Funny thing was that after the error was found the proper screw was use but the hose was not replaced.

 

[Gunn]

Good to hear. When you filled the boat and tilted it, and then later with changes in humidity, barometric pressure, etc. the fuel probably tried to rise. Normally, it'd go up the fuel vent hose and out of the boat, but in your case the hole let it go into the bilge Good find!