check those fume detectors

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:39 am

This is exactly how disasters happen:

I came onto my boat the other day and immediately smelled gas. I went up and turned on my new (less six months) fume detector but it didn't go off. I figured if not now, when?

Opened up the engine bilge and could clearly see gas right around the bilge pump. I know I had some water from the previous rain but it looked and smelled like 5 gallons of gas down there.

Did a quick check around and (fill, vent... hoping because I got gas the day before) and they were dry. Damn...

Then I realized my worst nightmare, a leaking tank. I was walking around in a daze thinking my season is done, where do I even start with a problem like this, etc.

The guy at the end of my dock is pretty mechanically inclined so I asked him to come down to confirm my worst fear. We looked around and could see a trail of gas but couldn't actually see the leak.

He left and I just sat there wondering what to do next. I could hear a "drip, drip" and found the stb fuel canister filter has gas pouring out around the fitting. What a great feeling to know it was an easy fix.

The previous owner replaced one of the brass fittings but it wasn't for a flare connection. It "fit" but the flare end of the line never really sealed. Once I got the correct one I could immediately see it, problem solved.

I then called Xintex about the fume detector. Long story short, it looks like I have a new/defective sensor. You can test them by taking a lighter and cupping your hand around it and let some of the butane out. It should go off in about 15 seconds. I had another new sensor and did this back to back with the other one and it never went off.

They asked me to send the old sensor back to have them determine why it didn't work. I think I might have caught this problem the day before if the sensor tripped. The scary part was the detector looked normal and never gave any indication that the sensor was bad which it's supposed to do.

Bob

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:14 am

Another example of why visual daily inspection below hatches is a good thing... it is too easy to fall into the trap of relying on technology only.
How many people look inside their engine room after startup before a long trip?

Some of these seemingly 'anal' habits have great value......

Tuck · Post by **Tuck** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:51 am

ready123 wrote:Another example of why visual daily inspection below hatches is a good thing... it is too easy to fall into the trap of relying on technology only.
How many people look inside their engine room after startup before a long trip?

Some of these seemingly 'anal' habits have great value......

i don't look into the engine "room" before every outting, mainly because i usually only go up river a couple/few miles. however, i DO look in there after each return to the slip. i've caught a couple of things (leaking sea cocks, etc) that could have been a serious problem if i hadn't seen them and left for the night or a couple of days, even.

point remains the same...visual inspection, visual inspection, visual inspection.

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:36 pm

I got into the habit early on to lift the hatch and check things out prior to start, and also after start I take a quick peek. Also check the exhaust to make sure it's pumping water through.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:39 pm

the boat don't start unless the hatches are up, and also do a channel check before open water. I fear and respect GAS...

turtlem1969 · Post by **turtlem1969** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:06 pm

alexander38- try some Gas-X

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 6:47 am

I have the manual/organic fume detector (my nose) and always check the bilge before each time I start the engine. I also check several times while underway, and periodically while anchored out. Seems only prudent.

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:58 am

Even though I have a fume detector before each outing I open the hatches check the oil, do a sniff test and a visual inspection.

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:32 pm

SeaDog has fume detectors on the bridge and in the aft stateroom where the tanks are located. I check the engine room every time I leave the dock. It only takes one big undiscovered problem to make a miserable day or perhaps sink your boat. I love my family and boat too much not to make those necessary checks.