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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Fuel Locker Mildew

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/30/2013 : 09:26:24

Anyone else getting this? The mildew builds up after only a couple days and creates a very dirty cockpit. Even when I have the vent plug closed, I still get mildew inside, on top of, and all around the locker area. I'm assuming it's from the fumes? Do I need to invest in a better airtight can?

Found another thread on it, but has anyone found a quality fuel can that doesn't leak the fumes? I'm betting the leak is from the can expanding so much from Texas temperature fluctuations.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=21724

1989 C-25 TR/WK #5894
Miss Behavin'
Sittin' in LCYC on Canyon Lake, Texas

Edited by - NautiC25 on 01/30/2013 09:34:13

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2013 : 09:57:43

I don't leave my fuel tank on the boat when I'm not using it and I still get some build up in the fuel locker. As mentioned in the other thread, I get some standing water on the fuel locker floor. It's just a very thin puddle, but probably enough to keep the locker area moist.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2013 : 10:03:51

I have the same problem but my tank doesn't vent or leak when I close the vent. Mine spread from inside the locker to the seats above and up the coaming over a period of time. The inside of the locker is black.

A week or two before Christmas I cleaned the seats and coaming with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and as of last week it had not come back.

I work near the Houston Ship Channel and all the related refineries and I see the same black stuff on some of the large storage tanks around the area. Not sure what it is but it can't be good.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2013 : 10:45:08

Same issue

What has helped minimize it but just a bit is that when I use my outboard, I slide the tank out of the locker, open the vent and then when done , close the vent and place back in the locker. But I still eventually get a dirty buildup inside the locker and on top of the cover to it. It just builds up a little bit slower. By the way, I just cleaned that lid the other week. Then cleaned the cockpit textured seating areas all-around with Non-Skid cleaner. Washed and used stain remover on the rest of the cockpit and then went over shiny areas with liquid wax. Looks good for mid-winter !

I'll tackle the inside of the fuel locker when they turn the dock water faucets back on.

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putzmeister
Navigator

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100 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2013 : 11:12:52

Of 3 cars we have 1 is a daily driver (yeah, dumb.) The two that sit have mildew spots around the gas doors and 1 that has addtional spots where the fender meets the hood - in the vicinity of the air filter. On the boat, the fuel can stays in the locker every winter and that is the first area to experience mildew.

Edited by - putzmeister on 01/30/2013 11:23:26

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2013 : 11:13:31

I have a little bit of black gunk on my HDPE helm seat/gas locker cover, but I've never attributed it to mildew. I always assumed it was just heavy hydrocarbons left behind when fumes hit the surface and evaporate off, leaving a little bit of clean gunk. Then airborne dust and waterborne dirt come into contact with it, the dirt sticks to the gunk, and it turns black over time. I scrub it off every season.

I see similar things happening inside gas cap covers on my cars.

Maybe it is mold, especially if bleach cleans it up. But I don't know how hydrocarbons and ethanol would promote mildew growth.

I would strongly advise that you always close your gas cap vent, and if your tank leaks, replace it. Remember that the damp air in your fuel locker could get sucked into the headspace of your gas tank every night when the temperature falls. Your best way to keep your gas water-free is to keep your tank full (to minimize head space) and keep your tank sealed.

I keep a 1-gal "reserve" tank in my locker next to the 3 gallon Honda tank. Whenever I have a gallon of headspace in the Honda tank, I empty the reserve tank into it, and refill the 1-gal reserve tank. Once or twice a season I'll completely empty the Honda tank into my car and refill with fresh gas.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.