gas smell in mid berth

bndfishing · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:03 am

We have only been out on our boat 2 times since buying it last winter. In the mid berth there is a smell of gas, not like fresh gas but even when we took the mattresses out they have a gas smell in them. Is this just from the boat being in storage and not having any air flow or should I be looking into something bleaker?

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:02 am

Could be several things. You need to be sure you do not have a gas leak in the engine compartment FIRST, then some of these threads might help diagnose the issue. My bet is just ventilation and place a few dryer sheets in the mid cabin and you will be fine.... hopefully that is all it is.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2232&p=20610&hilit=+gas+smell#p20610

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2196&p=19800&hilit=+gas+smell#p19800

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2073&p=18427&hilit=+gas+smell#p18427

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=845&hilit=+gas+smell

jsimon · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:07 am

I might be inclined to take the mattresses out and pull the center board out between the holding tank and the storage compartment (or grey water tank if so equipped) The fuel tank is right under it. this would allow you to inspect the tank and maybe seal the board down.

Id be interested to hear what you find out.

woggy718 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:55 pm

I have an oder in my midcabin as well and my fume dector had to be disconnected because it would go off constantly. I have searched, searched, checked, and double checked everything because I know this could be a huge safety issue. It smells more of an engine compartment than gas though. Probably a small leak in seal that they made from the factory. They use expandable foam for sealing between the bulkhead and the engine compartment so it's probably just a ventalation issue.

I wasn't about to spend the $$$ to replace the fume dector sensor so I just unplugged it from behind the dash.

jsimon · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:29 pm

woggy718 wrote:

I have an oder in my midcabin as well and my fume dector had to be disconnected because it would go off constantly. I have searched, searched, checked, and double checked everything because I know this could be a huge safety issue. It smells more of an engine compartment than gas though. Probably a small leak in seal that they made from the factory. They use expandable foam for sealing between the bulkhead and the engine compartment so it's probably just a ventalation issue.

I wasn't about to spend the $$$ to replace the fume dector sensor so I just unplugged it from behind the dash.

That would make me nervous. Have you tried to leave your engin hatch open for a day or two and air it out and see if the fume detector goes off?

bndfishing · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:37 pm

My fume detector does the same thing.

After taking off the fuel tank cover and checking all the hoses, all looks good. I am pretty sure the problem is a previous owner that didn't clean the bilge combined with a recent engine replacement. I have bilge cleaner in it (lemon scent) ran a fan in the berth ,and am replacing the foam in the bed. I was surprised when I pulled the fuel tank cover to see how open the area is to the engine and bilge, any smells in the bilge will transfer right into the mid berth. With little ventilation like when in storage the smell can really build up.

LouC · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:03 pm

I'd like to know what other substances can set those detectors off. If they are set off by only gas, well then there still has to be a problem somewhere, but if other smells such as motor oil or adhesives used in boat construction can cause a false alarm, then that's another thing. Before discounting the possible risk I'd contact the maker of the fume detector and ask them, what else can cause possible false alarms.

woggy718 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:30 am

After thorough inspection of the fuel system, I came to the conclusion that I had a fouled sensor. I guess I could try reconnecting it detector after I clean my bilge. Contacting manufacturer probably isn't a bad idea.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:28 am

bndfishing wrote:

I am pretty sure the problem is a previous owner that didn't clean the bilge combined with a recent engine replacement.

Just curious how many hours did you get on your original engine before you replaced it ? What was the cause for your engine issues?

Thanks in advance.

bndfishing · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:45 am

The original motor has about 320 hrs. The original owner claimed he sucked a bag up on the out drive cutting off the water flow and cooked the engine. The nice thing is he replaced it with a crate motor instead of rebuilding or doing a long block. I now have a brand new motor with 10 hrs on it.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:33 pm

bndfishing wrote:

We have only been out on our boat 2 times since buying it last winter. In the mid berth there is a smell of gas, not like fresh gas but even when we took the mattresses out they have a gas smell in them. Is this just from the boat being in storage and not having any air flow or should I be looking into something bleaker?

It's a 2000? Nine years is enough time to be replacing the hoses. Fuel and other engine conditions are pretty hard on rubber hoses. While there are cases of people getting a decade or more out of hoses, most do not last that long. And considering the risks presented from fuel leaks it's foolish to ignore regular maintenance on them. Fuel hose is cheap. Replacing hoses is easy work. Anyone handy with a screwdriver ought to be able to do it. Fuel and toilet waste hoses also tend to absorb odors from their contents. Eventually this permeates the hose material and outgasses the smell. The hose doesn't "leak" per se, just weeps enough to something your nose detects.

The fuel sensor are a pain in the ass. I think mine got fouled somehow and now always goes off. It'll even trigger when the boat's been sitting idle and the engine hatch has been open for 10 hours on a windy day. It's been on my 'to do' list for quite a while. Bear in mind that the fuel sensor is different than the Carbon Monoxide sensor. I'd certainly NEVER use a boat without known working CO detectors.

The bulkhead between the engine compartment and cabin is not sealed. At least not only smaller recreational boats I've ever seen. At least not "sealed" from a "gas tight" perspective. There are plenty of holes through those bulkheads for various hoses, wires, cables, etc. Enough that CO or fuel vapors would definitely get through even on a brand new boat off the production line.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:45 pm

Good idea on the hoses, but possibly with a less than 1 year old crate motor installed in the boat, the original hoses may have been replaced with the new motor. Worth checking to make sure however.

bndfishing · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:15 am

Gas smell is much better now that with all the ventilating I did and the bilge cleaning (now lemony fresh). I replaced the bedding foam and cleaned all the carpets. The guy who did my foam said he sees this all the time with mid berths, his suggestion was to keep a container of baking soda in the berth when not in use.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 6:01 am

Another suggestion would be Bounce dryer sheets. We have used them during storage for 10 years or more. They keep the cabin/mid cabin fresh when not in use. They also repel mice and other rodents. Much neater than an open box of arm and hammer too.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 6:52 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

Another suggestion would be Bounce dryer sheets. We have used them during storage for 10 years or more. They keep the cabin/mid cabin fresh when not in use. They also repel mice and other rodents. Much neater than an open box of arm and hammer too.

+1 on the Bounce dryer sheets. I dropped by my boat a month ago and was blown away by how nice and fresh it smelled when I pulled off the cover

www.iFourWinns.com

gas smell in mid berth

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