'99 215DC

[dxs217]

Hello all, I have a fuel odor and some fuel/water mix in my bilge. The odor didn't exist until I topped off my 100 gal tank (oops, gas gauge doesn't work). I'm trying to determine if it's a slow leak (I've collected about a quarter cup over 24hrs) or a result of overfilling. Anyone seen this before?

My plan is to flush bilge with water and drain. Put boat in water with hatch open and bilge pumps-OFF. Run the fuel level down.

Thoughts?

Any help is appreciated.

V/R
dxs

[flounderpounder225]

Hello all, I have a fuel odor and some fuel/water mix in my bilge. The odor didn't exist until I topped off my 100 gal tank (oops, gas gauge doesn't work). I'm trying to determine if it's a slow leak (I've collected about a quarter cup over 24hrs) or a result of overfilling. Anyone seen this before?

My plan is to flush bilge with water and drain. Put boat in water with hatch open and bilge pumps-OFF. Run the fuel level down.

Thoughts?

Any help is appreciated.

V/R
dxs

Unless the boat has been rewired, you cannot "turn off" your bilge pump/s, they are connected to a float switch.  I would turn the batts off if you have a switch to do so, get the boat tilted bow up, as high as you can, maybe even some blocks under the tounge jack, take the plug out and watch what happens.  If you really filled the tank up hard, it could have been a leak around the vent line, or even the sending unit gasket leaking, but if you have a serious leak it will continue to come out with the boat in that attitude.  Be very careful working in the bilge with the fumes present.
Marc

[Capt. Bob]

Hello all, I have a fuel odor and some fuel/water mix in my bilge. The odor didn't exist until I topped off my 100 gal tank (oops, gas gauge doesn't work). I'm trying to determine if it's a slow leak (I've collected about a quarter cup over 24hrs) or a result of overfilling. Anyone seen this before?
Thoughts
V/R
dxs

On the Hialeah models, complete filling usually was the straw that broke the camel's back on aluminum fuel tanks (that and movement). Don't know how your tank is mounted or if 'it's alum. If it is alum, I'd bet it's leaking under the mounting straps.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Just a thought, being that your boat is still fairly young, there's a fair chance your tank hasn't had a chance to degrade to the point that it would be leaking, though your fill hose might be degraded, especially where the hose clamp attaches to the filler neck on the gas tank.  The overfilling may just be leaking from around the hose connections, which is cause for concern/repair, but not as serious as your tank leaking.

I had been smelling fuel after overfilling my tank.  Pulled the tank hatch- hoses were done.  Replaced the hoses, no more smell.  Still running the original tank from 1973.


On turning the bilge pumps off via batt switch- I learned from SeaBob that even with the batt switch turned "off", your automatic bilge pumps could still be hot-wired (for safety reasons), so your best bet is to disconnect the wiring from your batteries- that ensures that nothing will spark (booooom....).  

[dxs217]

Thanks! Keep em coming...

I just parked the boat on a steep incline and washed out the bilge area. The bilge screw hole was pretty clogged so I got good clear water flowing again. I'm gonna keep an eye on it (hatch open) and try to burn down some fuel today. After cleaning it, the fuel odor dramatically decreased.

Additionally, my gas gauge doesn't work so I opened the hatch covering the tank. My tank is composite not aluminum. There is a component on the top that has two wires coming from it (red/black). Is this the fuel gauge sender unit? If so, the thing is falling apart rusted. Could fuel be leaking from the sending unit since its rusted pretty good and the tank is full?

I'm gonna have someone look at it this week.

thanks
dxs

[dxs217]

Ok, the sending unit is definately leaking there's a small rust hole in the top. Couldn't find anyone open for repair, so I sent wife to parts store while I bloody some knuckles trying to get the screws out. Got the screws out, cleaned em up and waiting for parts to arrive. I may get to go boating today after all...

Some rust definitely fell into the tank. I hope this is ok, the fuel filter should catch this stuff right??

[RickK]

Correct.

Welcome aboard dxs217  :!:  :!:

[dxs217]

Done. Sender replaced, gauge works, NO LEAKS, bloody knuckles, and my back is killing me. Getting those screws out was rough, I'm glad I had an 'L' screwdriver...

First repair complete. Boating tomorrow.

I read a previous post about the Trim gauge sender. I hit the spring with some WD-40 but it would hardly move. I'm gonna let it soak overnight. Any other tips?

Thanks

[seabob4]

dxs,
Isn't your tank a poly tank?

[dxs217]

Yes sir, it is. The sender was rotted away, replaced it and now it has a good seal. No fuel in bilge. Drove it all day yesterday.

Two questions: I think this boat is supposed to have 4 pumps. In the rear bilge i found 3 pumps (bilge, fresh water, and raw water/livewell). Only the bilge pump is working the others are falling apart. I need to replace them. Also, shouldn't there be a pump for the two fishboxes? If so, where is it?

Thanks
dxs

[skyliner4444]

In my 2004  215 DC the fishbox macerator pump is on the starboard side tucked under towards the stern, accessed through the center floor hatch.