Gas in the bilge

whale

whale

Junior Member
OK, so it seems I have gas in the bilge after pulling the boat last weekend. I have drained it and plugged it and it accumulates slowly once again. I turned the valve off at the tank to presumably see if it was coming from anywhere in the fuel lines. Assuming now that it isn't is there anything I can do besides removing the tank? Pressure test it somehow? Any other ides?
 
Saddle tanks or what?
Those tanks are only good for about 3-5psi from what I remember.
Compartment cover removal and tracing flow might be the only useful means of finding leak.
 
Sorry, it is a 60 gallon tank below deck......1985 looks like original aluminum tank. I have the cover off the tank and the top looks OK but who knows what lurks below. :-[
 
whatknot just did a refit and had a tank made. I don't think he showed the replaced tanks condition.
Hate to influence you to try to remove it to inspect it without real reason.
 
Well with the cover off, plug the vent and outgo (or fill) and apply (very slight) pressure or vaccume to the fill (or outgo) and see if you loose pressure or vaccume.
There are a couple of patching puttys available for short term (2 years plus) till you replace the tank.
 
make sure the vent is not plugged dam spiders



step 1 call insurance man
step 2 light match
step 3 run like hell
step 5 go shopping for a new V


LOL ;D
 
Carl said:
Hey Kevin,

How much gas do you currently have in the tank?

Carl
Click to expand...

I would only know that if I had a working gas gauge. ;D

I put 10 gallons in prior to the last trip which was only a few miles. I had been doing that for a while so I'm not sure what is left. Going to try and drain it today.
 
Make sure you don't have any leaks where the filler hose enters or the feeder hose leaves the tank. If your tank has a sending unit for a gauge you could have a leak there as well. Any of these you should be able to see if you remove the cover, or through access holes if your cover has them.

You can try to pressure test it but imho the results are not definitive.

If you can eliminate the top leak posibilities, the odds are pretty good you have a leak in your tank. I had two holes in mine due to corrosion.
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album16&id=P7300409
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album16&id=P7300411

Good luck and let us know what you find.
 
Carl said:
I have two empty 5 gallon jugs in my shed if you need them to try and save some of the gas.

Carl
Click to expand...

Thanks.....I removed about 20 gallons with some going in my truck and the rest in my 2 cans.
 
With the cover off there is no sign of a problem on the top of the tank. I pulled out the round storage compartment (potential livewell) right by the transom so I could see a large area of the bilge. I dried it out and could see a slow steady stream coming from the forward part of the boat. The stream appears to be gas.

I have started the process of removing the tank but it seems like it is going to be a major P.I.A. The foam is all in good condition and after a couple hours of cutting it out along the sides it won't budge. UGH

Pics will follow eventually.....
 
A couple of members removed their belly tanks and begged for advise on removal. From what I remember there was no trick or easy way to remove the tank.
I don't think a shithook (sensored)(Shinook)would make it easier. Sorry :(
 
one trick was to take some wire and start at one end of the tank and use it like a saw wire, moveing back and fourth along the bottom to cut the bottom foam that is holding the tank in.

But you are right they are all PIA and they all come out different!!
bars and 2x4 to pry them out, some come out in pieces, and the wire way, with a ton more options!

Good Luck!
 
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