Fuel Smell in Bilge

[thompsdw]

I am looking to purchase a 2000 model SeaRay from a person that was honest and told me about the only problem he has had with the boat. The story goes this way - he had a problem with a fuel odor in the bilge. The dealership (new boat) repeatedly tried to solve the problem but could find no defect. Their final solution was to suggest that the tank never be completely fueled up. This tank is not inspectable (full deck liner - no access. It is a carbed boat, so some of the problem could simply be pressurization of the fuel system. Is this reason enough to stray away from the boat??? Any ideas on what to do to repair something like this, or is it simply normal?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Fuel Smell in Bilge

A properly vented tank will never hold pressure. That shouldn't be an issue. If the smell is bad enough to notice, it can get bad enough to explode. I'd never buy a boat with a fuel tank problem unless I knew I could fix it and get the leaked gas out of the hull (including floatation foam). It sounds like the guy is selling because it can't be fixed, at least not economically or without really tearing-up the boat. It could be something as simple as a pop-rivet stem between the bottom of the tank and the boat that wore a hole in the tank. It'll only get worse.<br /><br />If the smell is slight and the motor has a carburetor, a slight gas smell wouldn't be unusual. An EFI motor shouldn't put out much of a gas smell. You can usually smell more oil than gas with those.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Fuel Smell in Bilge

If you really want this boat, ask the dealer if he will let you take it somewhere else to see if they can isolate the problem. Otherwise, pass on it. Not worth your life....

 

[navigator336]

Re: Fuel Smell in Bilge

Does the smell only occur when the tank is completely filled (i.e. right up to or very close to the cap)? I would guess this is the case based on the dealer's recommendation. It could be the filler or vent hose is defective or incompletely clamped to the tank, filler tube, or vent fitting. If the bilge intake louvers are close to the tank/s, you may be able to gain access to the hoses by removing them. I agree with the other posts, don't buy it unless it is fixed. Even if you never fill the tank to prevent the fumes, you will have trouble selling the boat someday with this problem.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Fuel Smell in Bilge

RUN Boatboy! Run like the wind!

 

[wdschaffer]

Re: Fuel Smell in Bilge

I agree with Dieselwalt. Run run run away from it and forget about that boat. I had a fuel problem once. We started to smell fuel from the bilge like you, saw a sheen on the water in the drain hole by the cabin. Removed the fuel cell and took it to a fabricator and found out that there was a small hole in the weld on a corner. He then continued to advise me that manufactures of tanks only put a small thin bead of weld around the tank, leading to wear if the tank rubs for any reason. He put a better, thicker weld bead all around the tank and we secured it in the boat with expansion foam and slats. Hope this helps your decision!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Fuel Smell in Bilge

There are waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too many boats for sale without fuel odor problem.If it were a simple problem ,it would have been solved already. Charlie.