Wellcraft.. Gasoline in the bilge..changing tank?

[mwillis]

Hi,<br /><br />I have a 19' Wellcraft and I overfilled with gas last weekend and somehow gasoline got into the bilge, the odor was strong. I lifted up the two recesed floor tank covers where the fittings are and smelled the gas source and saw it on the floor on top of the bilge water, but felt or saw no leaking on any fittings, or did not see any on engine gas lines, vent or fill hose anywhere. <br /><br />Does anyone know if it had anything to do with over-filling? If not, does it mean the whole floor has to come up to get to the tank?<br />I drained the bilge and there is no sign of any leak, but I still worry how it got there in the first place.<br /><br />It looks like a nice weekend...but not for my boat until this is fixed. A mechanic told me it was like nitroglycerin and any spark would surely cause an explosion. <br /><br />A thank you for anyone who can help me.<br /><br />Martin

 

[DJ]

Re: Wellcraft.. Gasoline in the bilge..changing tank?

Martin,<br /><br />You should be able to see where the fill, outlet and vent lines attach to the tank. There may be deck plates covering some of those components. The deck plates either unscrew or pry out.<br /><br />Check the integrity of every connection.<br /><br />The other possibilty is that the gasket has failed where the fuel level sender attaches to the top of the tank. That should be visible too. The overfill may force fuel out past a bad or loose gaket.<br /><br />The gaskets for the senders are universal and any decent boat repair facility should have one.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Wellcraft.. Gasoline in the bilge..changing tank?

I would also get some bilge cleaner and clean the bilge out as thoroughly as possible. You want to get out any residual gas in there out as it is explosive - not counting the smell.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Wellcraft.. Gasoline in the bilge..changing tank?

How much gasoline was in it? a couple of onces or 1 or 2 gallons?

 

[captjchin]

Re: Wellcraft.. Gasoline in the bilge..changing tank?

It's not at all unusual for tanks to leak after a number of years. Most often it requires deck removal to replace. Hope for a cheaper fix, check all hoses including the vent hoses.<br /><br />Good luck,