water in bilge

[Matt85cs]

Should the water in the bilge smell like gas or oil. i happened to stick my hand in the water in my bilge and noticed that it smelled strongly of gas or oil, im guessing thats normal but wanted reassurance. I mean its not leaking gas or oil into it because usually when there is no water in it there is no other substances in there either.

 

[commander315]

Re: water in bilge

maybe a slight oil smell but not gas. My bilge accidentally had 18 gallons of gas pumped into recently and my bilge water dosent even smell like gas....anymore that is

 

[korygrandy]

Re: water in bilge

maybe a slight oil smell but not gas. My bilge accidentally had 18 gallons of gas pumped into recently and my bilge water dosent even smell like gas....anymore that is

Yikes! Busted filler hose I presume? My engine compartmant smells a little like gas fumes...the bilge below the engine is a little dirty...I plan on cleaning this and seeing if it still smells.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: water in bilge

Should the water in the bilge smell like gas or oil. i happened to stick my hand in the water in my bilge and noticed that it smelled strongly of gas or oil, im guessing thats normal but wanted reassurance. I mean its not leaking gas or oil into it because usually when there is no water in it there is no other substances in there either.

You mentioned in another post that this boat is new to you. That being said you cant be sure if at some time the previous owners (like another poster mentioned) spilled gas on the boat somewhere and the residual is lingering behind. Also since it is an older boat it has had years for the various engine fumes to permiate the structure. I wouldnt sweat it. Minor odors are acceptable. Only time I'd really worry is if you can smell gas while under way, you can visually see gas floating on the water, or if a sample of your bilge water burns in a bucket. Otherwise just hose it out and keep on keepin on.

 

[marcortez]

Re: water in bilge

Far be it from me to send up a red flag alarm.......

Gas fumes in a bilge, or in any enclosed space, are the source for a big explosion when the engine is started.

Gas fumes and a spark....egads!!!!!

The are so many stories and photos of boats that have blown to bits, it's frightening.

Take due caution and ferret out that gas smell, as if your life depended on it.

Prior to starting the engine, open the engine cover and ventilate for a while and or, use the engine compartment blower to evacuate the fumes.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: water in bilge

Put the plug in it, a quart of Dawn dish soap and 20 gals of water in the bilge and go drag it around the neighborhood a couple of times. (preferably on it's trailer) Let sit a couple hours, drain it at the local car wash and repeat with fresh water. Check hoses, valve covers, power steering lines for leaks. Then keep an eye on it and see if the oil comes back. It could have been just a messy oil change left some residue down there, but get it cleaned out!

 

[Stachi]

Re: water in bilge

I'm going to suggest you open a can of oil , smell it, then open the gas cap on your car/truck and take a sniff... oil and gas have two distinctly different smells... figure out what it is you are smelling and let us know so we can help you... you also did not mention if you have an outboard or an I/O...this would help as well...gasoline fumes are DANGEROUS..oil , not as much...