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

[Jock McClees]

Based on your response, I think Mike has the right idea. That has also 
happened to me on the Alberg. Don't feel a need to respond to everyone. You 
will drive yourself nuts.
Jock McClees

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rachel" <penokee at cheqnet.net>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 12:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] gas smell (was also happy new owner)


> 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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