Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

[95Bayliner]

Hello again...

I have a 1995 Bayliner 1800 LS with a 120HP Force O/B motor. I noticed a strong smell of gas coming from the storage locker that runs in the middle of the floor. Opening up the locker, I saw some liquid in there that looked to be gas/oil mix. I cleaned it all out (I think), had a marine mechanic perform an air compression test on the gas tank and he said it's fine.

The question is... if my gas tank tests out fine, where did this liquid come from?

Also, there's a drain hole at the rear bottom of the storage locker which I believe drains back to the rear of the boat where the bilge pump is located. The weird thing is, when I sprayed water from the hose into that hole, it doesn't go straight to the location of the bilge pump like there's additional space between the storage locker and the bilge pump location.

We sprayed out the questionable liquid that we found and didn't use the boat over the winter. When I went back, I smelt gas again from the same location, opened the locker and again there's some questionable liquid - only this time it looked like it had some yellow residue as well.

Tried spraying it out again but it seems like it keeps filling up in this space between the storage locker and the rear of the boat. Is this normal? How do I get out all the questionable liquid when it keeps disappearing in the mystery place? It's like I spray out what I can but there's still gas/residue in this "mystery" place.

The larger questions are: Is my gas tank the source of the leaked liquid? Is this additional space normal or an indication that something worse is going on? How do I fix it?

Please help!! Let me know if additional details or pictures are needed. Thanks.

I never experienced any liquid in the storage locker before.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Was your gas tank over filled or could rain water have gotten into the filler hose to cause an overfill?

 

[coreybv]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

If it smells strongly like gas, it's probably gas.

Working under that assumption, then if your fuel tank pressure tested ok, you're basically left looking for a cracked fuel line.

As far as water not draining from the locker to the bilge, have you checked the opening between the two by shoving a piece of wire through the opening? Those aren't very big holes, it doesn't take very many leaves, etc... to plug them up.

 

[95Bayliner]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Was your gas tank over filled or could rain water have gotten into the filler hose to cause an overfill?

The tank was not over filled. I typically only fill up 12 gallons at a time, but even less when this occurred since it was time to store for winter. Kinda skeptical that it was rain with the odor.

 

[95Bayliner]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

If it smells strongly like gas, it's probably gas.

Working under that assumption, then if your fuel tank pressure tested ok, you're basically left looking for a cracked fuel line.

As far as water not draining from the locker to the bilge, have you checked the opening between the two by shoving a piece of wire through the opening? Those aren't very big holes, it doesn't take very many leaves, etc... to plug them up.

I've checked all the visible fuel lines in the boat and motor, no leaks detected but I'd assume there has to be a leak somewhere between the gas tank and under the deck.

I did shove a long piece of wire when I cleaned it out the first time and noticed the water wasn't passing thru like I thought it should. The wire eventually made it thru to the bilge pump area, there was a little debris but nothing that would stop water from passing. Strange this is, I would literally spray water directly at the exit hole of the storage thru to the bildge pump area entrance and water would not pass like it should under pressure.

The best way I can describe is... there's a " U " shaped space between the storage compartment and the bilge pump area, I dunno if the passage between is cracked or what but that " U " has to be filled up before the water passes thru to the other side. That being said, the " U " is not draining completely and some of that nasty gas/foam/water keeps showing up in my storage locker. I've tried running the hose on and incline, wet vac (seemed to pull water although the hose didn't fit into the hole), hauling the boat thru the mountains of AL to TN, planing thru the lake with bilge pump on and the dang crude still shows up!

I afraid I might be waterlogging my boat if I keep spraying water down in there. If it's just the passage/tube needs to be replaced, then where is the gas coming from?

Kinda at a loss and I'm praying to avoid pulling the deck. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

The tank itself tests OK, so you've got to systematically check every single part of the fuel system that's inside the hull. All fuel lines, filters, connections, elbows, the anti-siphon valve, even the vent. Rubber gas lines can crack and become permeable after time.
If the problem still isn't identified then you need to think outside the box.
Could there be an oil can or teak oil stored onboard that has leaked into the bilge?

Regarding that mystery space- it's not unusual for builders to leave a space that's not easily accessable. If you can, install a removeable service port into the deck directly above the area. I had to do just that to get into a space on my cruiser that was collecting condensate water

 

[buckage]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Well, assuming yu have fuel shutoffs at your tank, I would close them and then run your motor till out of gas....then see if it does it again, if so, it kinda isolates the tank or the fill tube or the vent tube to the tank...that could be cracked and allowing gas down there when you add gas...

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Bad news!! Your tank is held between two crosswalls/bulkheads, each with a drain hole. My drainholes were clogged with cigarete wrappers, plastic bottle tops, nuts, bolts, swimbaits,slime and mold. Only discovered after removing the pitted and leaking fuel tank.

 

[mxcobra]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

you may need to cut some deck out to see whats gong on

 

[95Bayliner]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it. Guess it's time to do some more research to see the best way to access the hull area.

Starting to realize the saying is true about boat = Break Out Another Thousand. I just spent the winter getting the boat ready for spring, replaced carbs and fuel lines in motor, compression test, tuning motor, new spark plugs, and a new Garmin color fish finder.

Good grief! Just what I didn't need to start out the season!!

 

[coreybv]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Starting to realize the saying is true about boat = Break Out Another Thousand.

Ain't that the truth.

At least it's the last repair you'll have to do this year. ('cuz isn't EVERY repair "the last repair I'll have to do this year?)

 

[95Bayliner]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

you may need to cut some deck out to see whats gong on

What's the best method for doing this and not damaging components that are not visible below?

 

[oops!]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Bad news!! Your tank is held between two crosswalls/bulkheads, each with a drain hole. My drainholes were clogged with cigarete wrappers, plastic bottle tops, nuts, bolts, swimbaits,slime and mold. Only discovered after removing the pitted and leaking fuel tank.

yuppers......

you may need to cut some deck out to see whats gong on

yep.....

you will need to cut the deck between the stringers and bulkheads.

try and pull up the carpet,,,,but be ready to re carpet the boat,,,,,,,glue doesnt like letting go with out ripping the rug

 

[oops!]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

btw.......it could be very possible that the yellow gook is fuel that has melted the flotation foam....


welcome to the dry dock !

 

[62 ROYAL SCOTT]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

HELLO Bayliner I WOULD SEARCH EVERTHING TEN TIMES BEFORE I WOULD EVEN THINK OF CUTTING INTO THE FLOOR THERE HAS TO BE A REASON FOR THE LEAK TRY AGAIN

 

[95Bayliner]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

HELLO Bayliner I WOULD SEARCH EVERTHING TEN TIMES BEFORE I WOULD EVEN THINK OF CUTTING INTO THE FLOOR THERE HAS TO BE A REASON FOR THE LEAK TRY AGAIN

Good idea. I've checked several times and have not found any leaks visible above the hull. I'll try again with some soapy water to see if there's any bubbles.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

If you end up having to cut the floor, you might cut it out and make it into some kind of access panel so you can easily get under the floor should you need to in the future.

Just a thought.

 

[Philster]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Electric cutting tools, fuel tank and fuel vapors.

Don't dive into this without saying the above sentence and asking how to do this right.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

I am scratching my head with this one. Unless he removed the tank and plugged all the hose connections, how did he pressurized the tank and not pressurize all the hoses as well?

Everything in the fuel system would have been under pressure and would have checked out had he done what he said he did. Either you do not have a problem with tank, hoses fill, etc. or your mechanic is BSing you.

 

[oops!]

Re: Mystery liquid found in storage locker.

Everything in the fuel system would have been under pressure and would have checked out had he done what he said he did. Either you do not have a problem with tank, hoses fill, etc. or your mechanic is BSing you.

good chance of a tank leak here.....the mech may have missed it.

however i would block everything my self and re test.......it should hold a lb or two of pressure for a long time.