Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

[Joe L.]

Not really an engine question - if there's a better area where I should post this, please let me know.<br /><br />My mechanic pulled my 5.7 Mercruiser out of my boat to repair the coupler between the motor and the outdrive. I went to look at the progress and discovered about ten to twenty gallons of gas had filled my motor well. I told the owner of the shop and he said the fuel line must not have been closed off when the motor was taken out and that he would immediately take care of it.<br /><br />Will the gas harm the fiberglass?<br /><br />Even after he removes the gas, it seems like the fumes are going to be there for an awful long time (it almost knocked me over when I opened the door to the motor well) - is it ever going to be safe to use?<br /><br />My bilge pump was submerged in the gas - is it shot?<br /><br />Other various hoses, lines, wires, etc were submerged - harmed?<br /><br />I'm not sure if it was up to my batteries or not, I pretty quickly, but very gently, closed the hatch and got the hell out of dodge.<br /><br />Is this a major screw up ruining the boat (25 foot Maxum cabin cruiser) - or something that can easily be taken care of?<br /><br />Thank you for your help.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

The gas won't hurt the fiberglass, service stations store gas in fiberglass tanks and there was a fiberglass tank in a Bertram I owned. Shouldn't hurt the wires and hoses, not sure about the pump.

 

[Deep Blue Water]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

just lite a match an you won't have to worry about it. Just kidding,<br /><br /><br />I sure would not turn anything on or mess with battery untill all gas and fumes are gone, you have a bomb setting there.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

I would tell the mechanic. "You caused the problem. You fix and clean"<br />If it is in his shop and no response, then call the state fire marshall.

 

[Don S]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

Call YOUR insurance company and get it documented and voice your concerns if your shop gives you any indication they will not take care of the problem.<br />I would also guess the reason for the problem to begin with is a non functioning anti siphon valve.

 

[Joe L.]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

The shop owner said he would take care of it immediately - there was no issue of weather or not he would fix the problem. I'm just concerned about any lingering effect.<br /><br />I assume that if people store gas in fiberglass that it will not be absorbed. That was one of my concerns - the slow perpetual release of gas fumes for the next months/years.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

Joe,<br />I would say the shop should also insure that the gas is "completly" cleaned up. When he says done, hand him a cigarette lighter and---<br />I would think clean up should not be a major thing. I would replace the bilge pump.<br />Clean up could be little unsafe for the shop owner. <br />Keep us informed of the outcome. (if ya dont go sky high)<br />Good luck,<br />Uncle Dave

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

Don't call the ins. co. unless u have to. Even if u don't file a claim they will have u down for a "reported incident". Which will translate into an excuse for them to jack your rates. Good luck.

 

[KRS]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

The gasoline won't soak into the 'glass, therefore it won't be releasing odors.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

I doubt it will hurt the pump but I have seen gas melt the rule float switches. you may ask them to replace the pump at no cost to you. also haave them check the anti-siphon valve for proper operation. thats the whole purpose of the dang valve and also why I wont eliminate them. I had a shamrock do that to me 2 years back. marina owner water tested it and said there was a problem. later that day I hopped onboard and 40 gallons of gas were sloshing about. I quickly removed the neg batt terminal. the port tank had a hole in it and drained itself into the bilge. thats how I know it was 40 gallons .the dock hands had filled the tank hours before. it did damage the float switch but thats about all.

 

[Joe L.]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

Thank you everyone for your remarks, what a great site.<br /><br />I went by last night and they had finished the job, including the clean-up. No smell at all and the cleanest bilge I've ever seen. They went above and beyond - the baot had just gone out of warranty a few weeks before the coupler gave way, but the shop still fixed it and completely serviced/replaced everything that could be serviced or replaced while the foot was off and the engine was out... AT NO CHARGE.<br /><br />If anyone needs a referral to a shop in the Rhode Island area, let me know.<br /><br />Joe L.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

Ya, that gas will get all the dirt and grime out of the bilge! I would not recomend this as routine bilge cleaner though.................

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

....off to go check my anti siphon valve....

 

[Uncle Dave]

Re: Twenty gallons of gas in my aft bilge... what now???

Joe L.<br /><br />Thanks for the post back about the final outcome.<br />Many folk come here to get a quick fix and most likely find it . THEN do not come back and let everyone know the final outcome<br />Good to know the dealer took care of you. I would say most likely you did not blow up with them.<br /><br />Uncle Dave