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cjcarman



Joined: 16 Jan 2017
Posts: 9
City/Region: Alaska
State or Province: AK
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 1:17 pm    Post subject: Tomcat fuel system Reply with quote

We just bought a Tomcat and love the boat but we get a strong gas smell in the cabin after refueling and in rough seas with over 3/4 full tank. Any suggestions?

Thank you,

CJ Carman
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Pacificcoast101



Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 717
City/Region: Torrance
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: No Pressure
Photos: No Pressure
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 2:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We've had the same issue for eight years. Usually we smell it right after refuelling or whenever we go more than fifteen knots or the wind is over fifteen knots. It doesn't happen all the time though. When we filled up earlier this year it was so bad we had to leave a window open for a week. I filled up last Wednesday and drove home in bouncy seas and didn't get a trace of odor. Go figure.

I've looked and can't find where the odor is coming from. There is no fuel leak or we would smell gas all the time. I installed clamshells over the vents and that seemed to help but sometimes it doesn't.

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Phil Garner
2008 Tomcat 255
No Pressure



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BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 4419
City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 2:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I assume all hoses are tight and fuel fill cap is tight, too?
Same for fuel sender on tank and hoses to motors?

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Brent Barrett
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cmetzenberg



Joined: 04 Jan 2014
Posts: 367
City/Region: Santa Barbara
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Kanaloa
Photos: Kanaloa
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've never had this happen on mine. I'm curious on the integrity of your fill and vent hoses to you tanks. When you're fueling close all your doors and windows to ensure no vapors are drifting in.
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Conrad Metzenberg

07' Tomcat 255 "Kanaloa"
87' Boston Whaler Guardian 17 (BlackFlag, 03-14)
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check the fuel tank sender units on the tops of the tanks., as well as all of the hoses as suggested above. The clam shells over the vents are a very good idea, since we had water from rain or splash, due to the position of the ports on the vent fittings locations. The Clam shells solved that issue.
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Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL
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gulfcoast john



Joined: 14 Dec 2012
Posts: 989
City/Region: PENSACOLA
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2010
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Cat O' Mine
Photos: CAT O' MINE
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CJ,
Only happens with us when we over-fill the tanks. Gauges are primitive rheostats. Use a strong light or thin wooden dowel to dip and make sure your actual gas level isn't inches under the fill deck plate (in our case) rather than down in the tank. (Agree with Bob that the sensor gauge cheap washer is always a suspect Leak Point). Once actual liquid gas comes surging out the vents (not just vapor) in the slop it can end up in the cockpit at cruise depending on wind and waves. Clamshells are on The List.
Always close the aft door above idle to prevent station-wagon effect of both engine and gas vent fumes. Refueling on the trailer the bow will be (or should be) a bit higher than refueling in the water.; check where your tank gauge sensor is loca ted and take that into account. Lastly, all the gas hose manufacturers advise replacing all gas hoses at 10 years from mfg date (stamped on hose), perhaps MUCH sooner if prior owner used ethanol, which 2006 era gas hoses were never engineered to tolerate (the first ethanol issues were reported to USBOAT IN 2006).
I know you guys need to max out the gas load, but if you don't I bet your issues will be resolved.
It's a great boat, enjoy!
John

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John and Eileen Highsmith
2010 Tom Cat 255, Cat O' Mine
Yamaha F150, LXF150
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cjcarman



Joined: 16 Jan 2017
Posts: 9
City/Region: Alaska
State or Province: AK
PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 9:04 pm    Post subject: Tomcat fuel system Reply with quote

Thank you for the advice. I pulled up all the panels and detected a strong smell in the port side gunnel. I am airing it out and plan to use your advice. Anyone have pictures of their Clam shell vents? Thank you again.

CJ Carman
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Pacificcoast101



Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 717
City/Region: Torrance
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: No Pressure
Photos: No Pressure
PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote



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