1976 F-36, Tri-Cabin. Gas Smell

HayHaywood · Post by **HayHaywood** » Tue May 03, 2011 7:43 pm

After a ton of work at a Boat Yard in Beaufort SC, topping the gas off at the city marina and bringing her up to Charleston on the InterCoastal, yesterday, tieing her up last night in the Folly river, this morning on her first check the Gas smell was really obivous.
I switched all systems off, opened all openings, removed the bilge and motor covers ran my wife away and looked and smelled for leakes.
None found.
Had a mechanic from real local boatyard come and also check her out for leakes.
None found?
He found all vent wire screenes 4, were painted over. probably many times.
Whats the right thing to do. replace or clean and repair.
Also no gas smell prior to "topping off" all 4 tanks.
PLEASE throw Ideas this way, we will continue to air out and check.
Haywood, Charleston SC ( fyi. shes a E-Bay boat, )

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Tue May 03, 2011 7:57 pm

First of all, welcome to the forum.

My '79 tri-cabin had cracks on the filler tube where it entered the tank on the top. They were almost impossible to see but they were there and I was getting gas fumes, especially after a fill-up. I replaced both tanks last year and when I got them out I was able to see the true extent of the problem and it was worse than I thought. You might want to check that area for cracks. Get a very bright light so you can see even the smallest cracks.

Torcan · Post by **Torcan** » Tue May 03, 2011 8:38 pm

k9th wrote:Get a very bright light so you can see even the smallest cracks.

Don"t do what some idiots do and light a lighter to see

Welcome to the Forum, great gang here with oodles of info and suggestions.

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Tue May 03, 2011 8:45 pm

Welcome, you've come to the right place........if only after top off I would agree and suspect the filler hose...or the overflow hose. A fume sniffer alarm is a great thing to have...There are many here with more knowledge then I, they will chime in...........John

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue May 03, 2011 10:20 pm

I agree look at the filler hoses and also look at the vent hoses

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue May 03, 2011 10:40 pm

Welcome aboard. I agree with the above. Most likely the fill and or vent hoses. Have seen a lot of this. Look at the top of the tank where the hoses attach or where the sender mounts. May still be a little moist. I wouldn't fool around with the screens on the vents. They are there for safety reasons as well as venting the tank. May not be the easiest to get at but I'd replace them. While you're at it, you may want to consider installing fuel vent check valves to prevent overflow if filled too high. There are several types on the market.

aweimer · Post by **aweimer** » Wed May 04, 2011 1:18 am

I had this issue when I filled full. I found the gaskets for the sending units bad. Replaced this this spring for $5.99 each. Take a look there, if you see any type of gasket compound its wrong, should be a simple rubber gasket or origional cork one.

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Wed May 04, 2011 10:35 pm

Welcome aboard Haywood.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Thu May 05, 2011 8:12 am

HayHaywood,

Good morning fellow Charlestonian. Where are you on the Folly? Private dock or moored in the channel?

Not too many Trojans here in Chucktown - a couple F boats and a few TriFlys ...

Larry (PlanSea, F36) and I (Viva Mahia, F32) are located on Hobcaw Creek.

Good luck with your gas leak! All good tips above. Remember - gas fumes sink ...

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Thu May 05, 2011 8:54 am

Welcome!

Start with the fill hoses, check for cracks as suggested.
Check fuel tanks for stains, as mentioned by senders, vent and fill fittings. A clean towel wiped around all lines and fittings, then sniffed for fuel, may help locate.

Check fuel filters, seperators, fuel pumps too.
Like Ross said, gas fumes are heavier than air and will collect in lower areas.
Sometimes when tanks are topped off, you'll smell fuel from vent discharge. Especially when boarding boat or boat rocks...hope this helps you determine fuel smell.

Run blowers, do not run any electrical devices until you confirm and fix any fuel leak!

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu May 05, 2011 10:14 am

I will have to disagree on the blowers I believe it would be a good idea to use them

HayHaywood · Post by **HayHaywood** » Thu May 05, 2011 10:52 am

Morning Folks.

Thank you for all the help! I love this forum.
The "Buck-in-'ere" did not smell of fresh gas yesterday, nor today.
The vent holes are painted over many times, I will remove and rescreen.
She will and is berthed at Marianers Cay Marina on the Folly, outer T dock.

plansea · Post by **plansea** » Thu May 05, 2011 11:10 am

Yes welcome aboard. You will find great information and entertainment here. Never hesitate to ask, there are no Dumb queastions here. Larry (Mt Pleasant )

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Thu May 05, 2011 11:12 am

Good catch Paul, meant to say...run blowers with hatches open, then do not turn on electrical devices until source of leak is fixed and verified. I corrected my reply.

I do the sniff test after refueling first...then once satisfied, turn blowers on.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Thu May 05, 2011 2:59 pm

Mariners Cay - "Buck-in-Ere" .. gotcha ... whats your name? You live on James Island then?

Look forward to some pix!