Gas in the bilge
 

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?

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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. :-[

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

step 4 spend (do) time with the tattooed guy

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

pearch, you been drinkin? ;D

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

NO but good sounds good

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

;D

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

LOL. ;D

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

There are two kinds of V-20's, those with a new gas tank, and those that will need one.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Hey Kevin,

How much gas do you currently have in the tank?

Carl

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

I have two empty 5 gallon jugs in my shed if you need them to try and save some of the gas.

Carl

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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/...mp;id=P7300409
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...mp;id=P7300411

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Thanks.....I removed about 20 gallons with some going in my truck and the rest in my 2 cans.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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.....

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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 ****hook (sensored)(Shinook)would make it easier. Sorry :(

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

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!

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

I used an old dull cross cut wood saw (hand saw) It was able to be stabbed into the foam and I could cut large wedges out until I got close to the tank and / or the bilge. Then it was scrapers and putty knives all the way.

Kevin,

I am away tomorrow - but I will be back by Friday afternoon. Give a shout if you need help.

Carl

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

One more thing - seal up the hose connections because there will be foam pieces everywhere and you don't want that stuff getting in the fuel hoses.

here are some of my before and after pics:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...anaru_0005.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...anaru_0002.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...anaru_0004.jpg

Carl

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Thanks.....I'm away also....back Saturday. I'll likely be out there for a couple hours in the afternoon.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Hey Kev sorry to hear about the problem with the gas, just saw this post today.
I had an odor of gas a couple of times with the boat after I filled it up at a gas station and drove it on a trailer for an hour to get home. I did not like that and got out and inspected everything and talked to a few guys here who had experienced the same and I figured it was to much expansion in the tank.
I never had liquid gas in the bildge though and it was always dry there and when I had opened everything up to look thru the inspection ports.
If you are finding gas in the bildge though that is a serious leak and the tank has to be pulled immediatly.

** IMPORTANT***
First open all vents etc and ventilate and do it away from your house and people in general. Reach in with wire cutters by the battery and clip off the connection for the bildge pump clip the wires off. Then flush the bildge with running water from a hose while venting. When you are sure there is no fumes and liquid gas to ignite remove the batteries with help one at a time and get them away from the boat.
The reason you clip the wires is to prevent the pump from cycling and possibly causing a spark when you flush it out.

Beware of static electricity from you tools etc. If you are leaking like you said then that foam will be soaking it up and stinking to high h@ll, it will retain enough to cause an explosion if ignited from a spark

Please do not do any work on that boat or leave it sitting with the batteries in there, with fuel in the foam and bildge it is literally a bomb.

I know you are a smart fellow and probably know these things but I felt I had to say it. And I am sorry you are having the problem with her, she is getting older and I guess it had to happen soon or a later especially with these new fuel additives.
I also apologize for not seeing this sooner but have not seen this repair thread for a long time.
Give a call if there is anything I could do to help, if you want I could take a ride up on one of my days off and help you pull that tank I know it is a bear of a job.
Willy

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Parishht mentioned something about a spray that disolved the foam. ???
Mulv. yanked his tank out as well.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

I cut mine out with a pressure washer--made quick work of the foam and a giant mess. ;D

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Willy...don't sweat it. It was first noticed on the final trip of the season so obviously it is a recent issue. From what I can see on the top and peeking in the tank overall it is in really good shape. I am guessing there is a single spot on the bottom or one of the seams. So far the foam is all bone dry so it seems it is at the very bottom.

I had no time today to do anything with it but should get at her tomorrow.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

hay Willy you sound like a smoke eater not a donut eater their

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Our fire dept never lost a foundation ::)

I along with every other cop I know has put out more fires in a month than the FD's did in a year. We get there first and usually by a big margin. Generally speaking if the cop on the scene did not get there in time well at least you can reuse the foundation.
I have also seen what BOOM looks and sounds like more times than I like to remember

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

And Kev my offer still stands, if you need a hand one day pulling that tank your only a few hours away, besides I don't have any stashes in Conneticut ;D

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

I hope this link gets you to my 60 gallon tank schematic.
If not, search for Fuel Tank Specs Directory posted by whatknot (me). Also posted is manufacturers name and address. Break the foam to tank seal and then go to a marina. Tie the tank off and pull it out with the lift. Get beer and a smoke. good luck

Tank specs are at the top of the page.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/...9058;start=6#6

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

I filled up a few years ago and when I got home I notice the smell of gas. I went to the boats plug and had a small trickle of gas comming out. I checked all hoses and anything else and came to the conclusion my tank was leaking. I took a seradded (spelling) knife and cut between the tank and foam and then could pop the tank out. Now after sucking out 60 gallons of gas and removing the tank I could not find a single leak so back to the boat I went. Come to find out that my vent was cracked and when I added the oil it overflowed the tank and instead of coming out of the vent it leaked down into the boat. At first glance it looked just fine but when I reached up to check the fill hose I hit the vent line and saw it moving. My point is to check things out real good before tearing out the tank. Atleast I did get to clean out the tank and give it a freash coat of paint adding maybe a few years to its life.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

something else to check your hoses the older hose get eaten by the ethanol they put in the gas it a good idea to replace all but the fuel fill at least

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

I checked all the hoses and no apparent leaks. Also, with about 20 gallons in the tank and the supply valve turned off at the tank I found about 1/2-1 gallon of gas in the bilge the next day. Seems to me if there was a problem with any hose from the tank back it would stop the leak if the valve is closed. Also, if the tank is only 1/3 full then the fill and vent would not be the problem. They were also easy for me to inspect and appear OK. I haven't had time to do any work on it lately......I hate that it gets dark before 5 pm. Maybe this weekend....

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

It is not the hoses Kev, Fillet had replaced them prior to my purchase, I did not check all of them but they looked pretty new. Not sure about the vent hose though, a leak or crack as said previously could be what I smelled when I filled it and drove home.
I beleive you are right about the leak when containing only a third of a tank, that would be a breakdown in the metal somewhere I would think.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

It goes without saying, BE CAREFUL!!! The fumes are worse than the gas itself. One spark and you might not need any help removing the tank! :o :o :o

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

my tank did the same in my 21 but found the holes took tank out drained and filled with water too the top till it was totally busting at the seams thenfound the minor leak at a bad weld fixed and good to go. they do make a product that is guarrantted to work on boat tanks to fix leaks for ever.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Whale,
Do yourself a favor, pull the tank and do a thorough inspection. The tank on my 1980 V was foamed in and had what I thouht was minor pitting from water being held agianst the tank by the foam was actually major pitting. I started noticing a slight gas smell in the late summer that seemed to get worse over time. I pulled the tank again :( and power wire brushed the entire tank. I found 3 leaks in the tank without even pressure testing (I left 5 gallons of gas in the tank) and all I did was clean the corrosion from the pits. I rolled the tank so that the gas would be against any suspect areas. There are several products available to patch the tank as a stop gap measure if you can't swing a new one right now. I used Marine Tex epoxy and after grinding out every area that was suspect I patched them with the product. It won't pretty but the tank is below deck anyway and it does not leak :). I have started a new tank fund and will replace it in the spring I hope. As a safty note, use a brass wite wheel if you power wire brush your tank, sparks are not a good thing around a fuel tank ;D.

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Well, after several hours of cutting foam the tank still will not move at all. I am trying to see if I can get a wire under it....I like that idea but I can't get the wire underneath. I broke out the pressure washer but I just managed to make a big mess. I think my 2300 psi washer is not enough power to really blast out the foam. The space around the tank is so tight it is very difficult to get anywhere. I'm thinking I need to customize some kind of tool that will allow me to cut a bit of foam from the underneath and thereby get the wire under it. Anyway, a couple pics from the other weekend....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/PICT4588.jpg

The fuel gauge float is a tad rusted on.....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/PICT4587.jpg

Siphoning out the gas from the tank..

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/PICT4586.jpg

Re: Gas in the bilge
 

Think I posted it before, but I thought Parissht said that there is something you can spray on the foam that will disolve it. Other then that, get out a 10 pound digging bar and start tearing it out. Keep us posted. ;)