Gasoline Odor

boatingjim · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject: Gasoline Odor

Has anyone ever had problems with gasoline odor that won't seem to go away? We have a slight yet constant smell of gas in the tank area under the motor well in our recently purchased 2003 16' Cruiser.
We have replaced the fuel line, the water separator filter, primer bulb, you name it. We have 2 plastic six gallon Honda portable tanks that are tight and in good condition. We recently removed one tank from the boat to re-fill it with gas and noticed that an odor was lingering around the tank even after it had been removed from the boat for over a week. Upon inspecting the tank it seems as though the gas odor is coming from the plastic surface of the tank. Cleaned the tank with acetone and the smell is still on the surface. Is it possible that the surface of the plastic tank is porous and can get contaminated by the gasoline over a period of time?
We are reluctant to purchase similar replacement tanks if the same problem will come back to haunt us! Any thoughts on this would surely be appreciated.
Thanks, Jim and Cindy

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

I don't mean to be overly obvious, but I assume we've closed the
vents on the tank tops? You don't necessarily want to keep those
vents closed though. A tank on another boat of mine is partially
collapsed because it went through a wide temp. change with the
vent closed and not a lot of gas in the tank.

Mike

oldgrowth · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:23 am Post subject:

Jim – what smells bad to one person may not be noticable to another person. Do you smell it on both tanks or just one? If it is both, then replace them with a different brand and maybe it will not come back, or use metal tanks.

Mike – I had a tank completely collasp on me. I blew into the fuel connection with a compressor until it was slightly bulged out, the let it set for awhile. Now it is back to normal.
________
Dave

DAVEY5205 · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:35 am Post subject: gas smell

yes we have experenced the same thing with the tank bowed inward dramatically. i drain the tank left it in the hot sun a day or two and back to normal but i never did trust that tank agan. yes we do i notice a slight smell from our tanks whith the camper back all closed up.

teflonmom · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:58 am Post subject: Gas odor

I had a plastic tank for carrying dink gas. It was full at the end of the season so I put storage stuff in the tank. The smell of the storage liquid never did go away and we discarded the tank. I think that your tank could be the problem.
Fred

lloyds · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:01 am Post subject:

I never close the vent anymore. Bad stuff will happen. One time a tempo tank ruptured because it pressurized. Broke right at a seam that circled the tank at the half full line. Another time I had unhooked the hose from the engine and the pressurization forced a spray of gas out the engine end of the hose just like a big atomizer. I was spraying my contemporaries as I was driving down I-5. Had lots of honks and bad looks. Now I am just careful about how full I fill them.

boatingjim · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject: Gas odor

Wow, I see we're not alone! Thank all of you for your feedback.
Our tanks have undergone quite a few temperature swings with the vents closed with the resulting expansion and contraction. It seems as though the plastic that the tanks are made of may be permeable. When subjected to high internal pressure during an expansion cycle the gasoline may be forced into the tank walls where it tends to remain even after the pressure is relieved. I think the best advice is to not close the vent thereby avoiding any internal pressure. I purchased a new tank today which I will keep vented and hopefully avoid this problem in the future!
Thanks again for all your help! This site is fantastic!
Jim and Cindy

boatingjim · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject:

boatingjim · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: Gas odor

boatingjim · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: gas smell

boatingjim · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject:

boatingjim · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject:

ffheap · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:50 am Post subject:

Hi Folks,

I have the same problem. Both of my tanks are under the aft seat of my 22' Angler. There is an open screen on the front side of the seat. There is also two vents outside on the aft deck. Both tanks vent outside of the boat below the gunnels.

The problem is that every time I put my cockpit cover with the sides on, when I return to the boat there is a gasoline odor.The tanks and lines have been checked for leaks. I was wondering the same thing. Does plastic fuel tanks cause the problem? I have never had a leak.

I am concerned that I might run a Buddy Heater in the cockpit on a cold day and BOOM, I am gone.

The Carbon Monoxide Alarm shows nothing.

Fred

boatingjim · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:56 pm Post subject:

ffheap · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject:

Jim,

I will check with the manufacturer about the tanks. Thanks for the info.

Hingham and Hull are still great places to live. Two grandkids six houses down the street. All family are boaters. I hope to sell the Inn in Nantucket and do my primary boating out of Hingham. Nantucket ihas become to pricy. Have moorings in both places.

Hull has added two very large windmills. The biggest is on the Ware River overlooking a very expensive housing development in Hingham. The train is coming back and about 130 fet behind my house. I shall use it. Big discount when you are over 65. People in Hingham are not to happy. I call it change, and accept it.

I will report back when I have figured out the problem.

Fred