2006 Tomcat 255 fuel fumes in Cabin

squidslayer

For many years on my 2006 Tomcat .. at least the last 5…. I have been getting an intermittent gasoline smell in the cockpit…usually when I am running and the door is closed. I stuffed a pillow in the opening between the dashboard and starboard hull to keep the smell out from the cabin and keep the door open when running. I had tried many times to trouble shoot it took all the opening covers and reached in to the fuel tank and felt…smelled and tightened the ……….fill……..vent and outflow hoses fittings... and clamps…..to no avail. You can smell fuel around the tank depending on the breeze coming in……. I see no signs of leak and there is no fuel in the bilge. I can only barely see and feel a small part of the edge of the tank…so I cannot inspect the majority of the tank for any weeping fuel. Since there is no sign of a major leak…but concerned for safely I have installed a engine compartment type safety blower vent that should prevent any dangerous levels of fuel vapors to build up. I plan to keep an eye on it for any liquid fuel and to treat it as a nuisance of concern. The only way to see the whole tank to inspect would be to cut the whole floor out of the bathroom or more…….many many thousands$$$$
Any advice would be deeply appreciated

DickE
El Sobrante Ca
"ShirlyMae"

Pacificcoast101 · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 7:28 am Post subject:

I've had the same issue with my 2008. Any time the wind comes up or we travel over 15 knots we have to open the door to vent the smell. I checked every hose and connection and added more clamshell vents but nothing has worked.

Sasscom · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 10:15 am Post subject: TomCat Fuel Smell

Hmm. We have a 2009 TomCat and have never experienced this. We can run 20-25 knots with the cockpit door closed and have never smelled fuel. However, I'll keep my eye on this post, as I'm now curious and concerned. I hope you find the solution, and that it's not having to remove the tank. I can't imagine what that would cost since the tanks are not accessible.

squidslayer · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 11:07 am Post subject:

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 11:23 am Post subject:

I'm on my second 2006 TC255 and have not experienced a problem like this.

Charlie

dabfd · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 11:54 am Post subject:

Have not experienced any fumes on our Tomcat. You might try to isolate the leak by applying low pressure or vacuum to the tank to see if it holds. While the tank is pressurized check for leakage. If you don't find any leaks then most likely you have a venting problem or spillage from the fill hose, the vent line or the fuel supply line. Also try replacing all the hoses. Be very careful while trouble shooting this problem.

Wefings · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 12:15 pm Post subject:

Dick, plastic or aluminum tanks ?
Marc

squidslayer · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 12:45 pm Post subject:

Pacificcoast101 · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 1:17 pm Post subject:

I haven't found any leaks. We don't smell the fumes all the time, only when running at least 15 knots.

Wefings · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 1:22 pm Post subject:

The reason I asked is the plastic tanks were permeable . In your case I would check and see if the hose is permeable . New EPA regs require non permeable hose .
The other place to look is at the senders . They have a gasket and can leak a bit .
Marc

squidslayer · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 2:00 pm Post subject:

BrentB · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 2:08 pm Post subject:

I would be very careful putting the tank under pressure and risk damaging the seams, and would contact the tank vendor for technical assistance

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 2:10 pm Post subject:

Wefings · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 4:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks Charlie , I got sidetracked . They can leak if not torqued down evenly .
Marc

Will-C

I don't have a Tomcat but it almost sounds like your fuel vent is getting supercharged at over 15 mph by wind as you are bopping along. Maybe the vents can be rotated to the rear as not catch so much air. We put clam shells to block air and water from causing any issues with our fuel vents. I'd check all your hoses and try to tighten the top plate on your fuel sender.
I did not sleep at Holiday Inn Express last night either
D.D.