Serious fuel smell after fueling!-gctid378356

[Guest]

We purchased a '87 2550 Ciera Sunbridge last year and are new to the game. We've fueled it twice and both times put about 40 gals in. After both times we had a SERIOUS fule smell. The last time we came back to the dock and even our dock neighbors could smell it. Once the fuel level drops some the smell goes away. SO>>>is the fuel tank removable or permanent? Where is it exactly? what is it made of? It appears we do have some sort of a leak. Thanks so much.

Dream Catcher

[SomeSailor]

You need to get a mechanic aboard immediately. Turn off the batteries and be careful. A tank leak can be incredibly dangerous, especially as the temps rise and the fuel becomes more volatile.

[Guest]

Agreed, diconnect shore power also. Leave the engine compatment hatch open also so the fumes are not contained. If you smell it in the cabin air that at too.

May be as simple as a blocked vet line or may be a leak, but you need to get it checked out yesterday.

[baylineguy]

I encountered the same problem right after I bought my boat. Turned out to be a badly cracked fuel filler hose line that runs from the fuel filler cap to the fuel tank. I overfilled a tank so gas was left in the hose and I ended up with gas in the bilge. Probably another problem caused by ethanol. Extremely dangerous, find the source, asap.

Cliff

1998 3587 Bayliner

Port Orchard, WA

[Guest]

the last time i heard of a skipper complaining of smelling gas at my marina, the boat literally exploded (not just caught fire...EXPLODED) 30 seconds later, blowing 9 people into the water, and 8 of them got a helicopter ride to the hospital. I was there.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/huntington-beach-boat-explosion.html

The tank shoud be aluminum, and not permanent, but a lot of work to get out. In my 2850 is is basically under the aft cabin bed. Not impossible, just a ton of work. Better than buying a new boat IMHO.

[Guest]

baylineguy wrote:
I encountered the same problem right after I bought my boat. Turned out to be a badly cracked fuel filler hose line that runs from the fuel filler cap to the fuel tank. I overfilled a tank so gas was left in the hose and I ended up with gas in the bilge. Probably another problem caused by ethanol. Extremely dangerous, find the source, asap.

Cliff

1998 3587 Bayliner

Port Orchard, WA

Had this with my Contessa. The fuel fill hose took a sharp bend after the holding tank, and there were a bunch of cracks in it there so it was nearly impossible to see. A month later, the sending unit gasket failed letting gas on a full tank enter the bilge. Took care of both at the first hint of fuel smell, the tank was fine.

[Guest]

Welcome to the forum!

Please keep posting.

Set up a streaming web cam pointed at your boat.

[boatworkfl]

Best price on 1 1/2" fuel fill hose I can find, bought mine there, $5.99 ft' shipping $10.00 first ft, additional ft is $1.00.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shields-Fuel-Fill-Hose-Series-355-1-1-2-ID-88-3551120-/180609631148?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item2a0d2c43ac&vxp=mtr

[tonyiiiafl]

dpoelstra wrote:
the last time i heard of a skipper complaining of smelling gas at my marina, the boat literally exploded (not just caught fire...EXPLODED) 30 seconds later, blowing 9 people into the water, and 8 of them got a helicopter ride to the hospital. I was there.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/huntington-beach-boat-explosion.html

The tank shoud be aluminum, and not permanent, but a lot of work to get out. In my 2850 is is basically under the aft cabin bed. Not impossible, just a ton of work. Better than buying a new boat IMHO.

I have an 84 Sunbridge and I have a piece of flooring in teh aft cabin that looks like a factory piece that is removable with many screws around it. Was yours like this or did you need to cut the flooring out? My tank, so far seems OK.

[Guest]

baylineguy wrote:
I encountered the same problem right after I bought my boat. Turned out to be a badly cracked fuel filler hose line that runs from the fuel filler cap to the fuel tank. I overfilled a tank so gas was left in the hose and I ended up with gas in the bilge. Probably another problem caused by ethanol. Extremely dangerous, find the source, asap.

Cliff

1998 3587 Bayliner

Port Orchard, WA

I had the same problem......

[Guest]

tonyiiiafl wrote:
I have an 84 Sunbridge and I have a piece of flooring in teh aft cabin that looks like a factory piece that is removable with many screws around it. Was yours like this or did you need to cut the flooring out? My tank, so far seems OK.

I have'nt loked real close, but I saw pics of a removal from a 2850 like mine, and it was under the floor of the aft cabin. removed the floor and pulled it out the engine compartment. I don't remember if they pulled the engine to get at it, or if you could get it out with the engine in place. I think I could get mine out with ot the engies removed.

sounds more like a hose, as several have had issues with that. Good to know. I have never smelled gas, and I dont think these tanks are prone to leaking, are they?

[Guest]

Thanks so much to everyone who posted. We went out to the boat Saturday after I posted, before some of the replies were in. The mechanic had put it back in the water after fixing another problem. Said they hadn't smell fuel. So here's what husband and others think is happening. Just like you said, there is probably a leak in fuel hose as it has only happened after fueling. Apparently fuel from a crack in the hose went into the bilge. Once that had evaporated, no more smell. Very fortunately, we didn't take it out, tho'. We are going to have the hose replaced. Tony, thanks for the aft cabin info. We didn't look at that. Will take out the mattress, check it out and let you know. I've lifted just a corner of the mattress and it appears to be a solid floor, but will now remove the mattress to see for sure. In the meantime, all is disconnected till we get the problem fixed. Any other suggestions appreciated. This forum is terrific. As new boat owners we have relied on the more experienced, and extremely helpful, friends we've made at the dock. Now we have another great source of information. As my husband hates using computers when not at work, it will be me posting. Dan, what a link! You and everyone else were SO lucky. A lesson for us all. Will post when we fix problem to let everyone know what the exact cause was. And again, thank you all so much. As soon as I figure out how to post a pic of our boat will do so.

Kerry...2nd in command

Lake Allatoona, Georgia