[Public-list] gas smell (was also happy new owner)

[Rachel]

Jock,

Thanks for the info.  I was going to try to get my facts in order 
before I posted an "official" thread, but OTOH I'd love to get this 
taken care of.  It makes me and everything else smell like gas, and I'm 
also afraid to run a heater onboard because of the potential explosion, 
so it's cold in there!

The boat has what I believe is a well-maintained A-4 (original engine). 
  Glancing through the service records, I can see that it has had a new 
(rebuilt?) Zenith carb within the last decade, and also electronic 
ignition installed within the last couple of years (not that that 
probably matters in this case).  The fuel lines were listed as being 
replaced less than ten years ago (forget date - so they're not new, but 
also not 40 years old).  The tank is a replacement (painted metal) and 
was put in in the mid 1980s - so again, not new, but not original 
either.  It looks to be in very good condition.

There was an additional gas tank (for spare fuel - not plumbed to the 
system) aboard that I'm sure contributed to the problem; but now that 
I've removed it I can also tell that it was not the sole source of the 
smell, which is quite strong.  The additional tank was a red plastic 
"outboard" tank (which I know is not supposed to be used below decks 
due to permeability issues).  The vent in the cap was closed, and where 
the line comes out that normally feeds gas to the outboard, was instead 
a vent line to the outdoors.  Still, that probably contributed to the 
smell, and I eliminated it right away.

The boat was shrink-wrapped and quite dry down below.  I haven't given 
a full inspection, but I don't find any actual gasoline dripping 
anywhere either.  When I put my nose into the stbd. cockpit locker and 
sniff around the top of the gas tank (and its connections) I can 
definitely smell fuel though.

The engine is basically clean, nicely painted, and I have receipts for 
plenty of regular maintenance.  It's only been run in fresh water and 
is currently winterized. The PO's son mentioned that the boat had 
always smelled that way, so I don't think it's a "new" sudden leak or 
anything like that.

I wonder if it can be a compilation of a bunch of lesser-strength 
smells coming from various places and not an actual leak, but obviously 
it bears further inspection.  Just to give you an idea of the strength, 
when I first looked at the boat I was on it for about 45 minutes.  12 
hours later my clothes still smelled of gas.  Ish.

I'm new to inboard engines.  I guess I need some kind of step-by-step 
guidance of what to check.  Once I take care of it, I can "move in" and 
enjoy the boat --- and have some heat!


Thanks ahead for any suggestions,

--- Rachel
A-30 #221 <pinch pinch - yes, it's real!>


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