Fuel in Bilge

Angler276

Cadet
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
15
Last year I started smelling very strong gas fumes inside the console of my 2000 Angler CC. Around the same time I noticed a slick when my bilge pump kicked on and sure enough there was straight gas in the bilge. The boat was immediately pulled out of the water and sent in to be looked at. I was told that the sending unit was not tightly bolted and that a bad fuel line were the problems and were taken care of. I suspected a more serious problem but took their word for it since I could not identify anything else as the problem. <br />Fast forward to yesterday. I was ready to put the boat in the water and stopped to fill up on the way to the marina. After about five gallons went in, I could see gas filling the bilge from the back hatch where the bilge pump is accessed. Obviously the problem wasnt the fuel line or sending unit but what is it? Is the aluminum fuel tank likely to have cracked or rotted? Is this common? I dont see any wetness when I look through the access ports where the fill line and pick up are. Will I need to remove the console to find out what is going on? Thanks for any advice or suggestions.
 

AntsGrady

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 28, 2003
Messages
186
Re: Fuel in Bilge

Absolutely....those tanks go bad all of the time. So if it's not a cracked hose or a loose clamp the tank could be shot. How old is it? I have an 81' Grady and it's on it's 2nd tank so I know first hand they do go. Sounds like the tank is going to be have to be pulled and further examined.
 

PAkev

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
665
Re: Fuel in Bilge

You've probably thought about this but I will bring it to your attention anyhow...... If fuel is getting out, it is also possible that water may be getting in to contaminate your fuel. Providing you checked all the fittings and hoses for potential leaks, the tank is indeed the next place to begin looking.
 

Angler276

Cadet
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
15
Re: Fuel in Bilge

i looks like the tanks gotta be pulled and examined but the puzzling thing is its only 5 years old
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Fuel in Bilge

Can't speak to the newer ones but Angler had a reputation at one point of being an "entry level" boat.
 

prockvoan

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 27, 2004
Messages
512
Re: Fuel in Bilge

Pull the console,add a gal of gas to the tank and look for leaks.Chances are,you have a crack in the tank which can be welded after the tank is pulled from the boat or your fill hose came undone.Most alumunn tanks last around 20 years if the tanks are installed right.Sounds like you might not have the right support for the tank which will let the tank crack.Check it out!Also why you at it,its a good time to check if you have a grounging wire from the fill cap to the tank!
 
Top