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Gas Fume detector going off all the time... I checked and there is no gas leak to be found, not even a trace of gas smell in the engine compartment.

Anyone else have this problem?

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

In all likelihood, the sensor is bad. They are prone to failing, particularly if they have gotten wet. I had the same problem, replaced the sensor (easy to do) and eliminated the problem. I don't have access to it right now, but I would be happy to post where I found the least expensive replacement if you'd like.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

+1, same problem here with a bad sensor, replaced under warranty all is well.

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2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray

Yeah, that'd be great. Mine's been dead since last spring. Might as well get it fixed before another season goes by.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Pls do. Another question... Where exactly is the sensor located? Do you have to replace the one's in the engine compartment (there are two right?), the display on the dash or all three?

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

Assuming you have this Xintex fume detector

and it seems to be otherwise working (alarm sounds, lights light) you likely only need to replace the sensor. I believe they are only designed to accommodate one sensor (which is all I have in my V358) and the installation is plug and play. I relocated the new sensor near the old one but in a place less susceptible to water intrusion while still keeping it low in the bilge (very important). The sensor prices range from around $50 to $100 and after shopping around, I found the lowest price at a place I trust here.

In the V358 it is on the port stringer in the starboard side of engine compartment mounted abaft the bulkhead.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

There's usually just one fume detector in the bilge of the engine compartment. The factory location on the 348 is down in-between the engine stringers in the bilge, just below the large bundle of hoses and cables. It's a bit low, enough that it can get splashed. And if there's anything in the water (like bilge cleaning soap) it often ends up ruining the sensor. That's the only fume sensor. It's round; about an 1" in diameter and looks sort of like an electronic buzzer.

There are other Carbon Monoxide sensors, often two, down in the cabin. A CO detector is a rectangular white box, mounted up on the wall. The 348 has one in the mid-cabin berth (under the helm) and another up in the forward berth. Those are different and they're not connected to the same setup as the fume detector in the engine compartment. It's alarm triggers on the unit itself, not on a gauge at the helm. And you KNOW when it goes off, which it will if the 12v system battery runs low in the middle of the night...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks. The CO detectors I have spotted. The fume detector in the engine I have not. I'll check it out. The lights on the detector in the dash... there appear to be three. A green one on the left, a red one that lights up when you press TEST, and another on the right that I have never seen light up.. it also seems that the mute button is just for decoration.

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

The one on the right that never lights up is a light sensor that adjusts the intensity of the lights depending on ambient light cconditions.

The mute button should mute the alarm; there may be a minimum time the audible alarm runs for though before it becomes active; it does not extinguish the red light.

If I am ever washing the bilge, I cover the sensor with the thumb from a nitrile glove; mine is fitted directly under the fuel filter/ pump unit, at the height of the top of the stringer.

Graham

So if mine is showing green all the time... does that mean the sensor is not sensing any fumes? And that the problem is with the screaming never ending noise from the alarm?

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

I don't know how to tell if it works when there's no sensor detected. All I know is I had to disconnect power to my gauge to shut it up. I couldn't find an in-line plug from the sensor. I got mine soaked by water and bilge cleaner soap. It causes the alarm to sound as soon as the gauge is powered up. I could silence it by hitting the mute button. It would stay silent until the next time power was cycled to the gauge. This only happens when the 12vdc breaker labeled 'Helm power' is turned off/on (not with the engine ignition). If it doesn't shut up when you press mute then I'd imagine the gauge button itself is also bad.

As with any gauge I'm guessing a green light means it's fine.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks. That is what I was thinking as well.

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

I just tested mine a couple of weeks ago. The manual says the sensors can last up to 9 yrs, but should be changed every three. You need to test the gauge and then also the sensor.

To test the gauge, hold test button down for over ten seconds, the alarm should sound. Also, you need to disconnect the sensor and the alarm should go off until you reconnect it.

To test the sensor, take the striker wheel off a butane lighter, hold it near the sensor, and press down on the lever. The alarm should go off after a few seconds. When I tried this, I did not take the wheel off the lighter the first time and the alarm did not go off, even though I could smell the butane. Then I took off the wheel, and the alarm went off right away.

Here's the manaul. The whold process took less than 5 minutes.

http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/manuals/m1.pdf

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Or just use a can of butane, the type used to refill a cigarette or charcoal starter lighter. Might be easier than ripping the flint wheel out of a Bic.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

What a timely post, Guys! Mine just started acting up last night. Thanks to all of you, I now know what to look for, where to look, how to test, where to get replacement parts and how to prevent future problems. I'd like to see a Sea Ray forum do all that on one page! There's nothing like this fraternity anywhere on the net.