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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Gasoline Fumes In Quarterberth

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Tim Colbert
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/11/2002 : 13:12:39

I have a '79 SR SK w/o the separate gas tank locker. On a few occasions last season the smell of gasoline was evident, especially in the quarterberth. Has anybody else had this experience and found a solution? I still have what was probably the original steel tank although I've replaced the hose,bulb, and clamps to eliminate seepage.

Thanks in advance
Tim Colbert

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 13:49:24

Tim,

I have a 78, and am not exactly sure of the locker you are talking about? On mine, in the port sail locker there is a ledge to put the gas can on but that is about it...is that to which you refer?

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 national Org.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2dc20b3127cce9cd2f45b211a0000004010" border=0>

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 15:19:11

If your steel tank is that old it may have pin holes caused by moisture / water in the bottom of the tank. Either that or if you have kept it full and the fuel expands it can cause pressure build up and seepage.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 15:23:44

Tim,

I know the problem you're describing. When I got my 1979 boat I discovered the sad residue of many unsuccessful attempts to seal the seams inside that locker to keep fuel fumes out of the cabin.

One quick and easy (& cheap!<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>) possibility might be to add an external vent hose to the otherwise portable tank. This might involve slightly modifying the tank filler cap. If you can get the filler lid to seal, and stop any other traces of seepage, that might get the odors down to a tolerable level.

If you haven't already done so, you might want to take a look at a previous thread on this site which discusses changes to the early model port cockpit locker/dumpster. Here's a link:

<http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=491>

My temporary solution has been to keep the (6-gal. plastic) fuel tank in the aft end of the cockpit footwell for now, until I finish installing a permanent internal tank.

-- Leon Sisson

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Tim Colbert
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 15:29:11

Thanks for the responses.

It is my understanding that the "newer" C25's had a segregated fuel locker that was externally vented so that fumes could not enter the cabin. My current tank has been checked for holes and it is solid. I assume that, as you say, the fumes come from the tank heating up and vapors escaping due to pressure. Given that, has anybody figured out a way to avoid that problem either by using an externally vented tank, or by somehow segmenting the huge port side aft locker into a separate fuel locker?

Thanks again

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 19:09:36

On my old boat motor, Johnson 9.9, I would disconnect the fuel line at the tank and open/close the gas filler cap to relieve any tank pressure. Sometimes the check ball in the end of a fuel line will not seat properly and will leak gas. Also, check to make sure that the vent screw is not open.

Don & Jennifer, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 20:02:44

Tim:

If your tank and vent are completely tight, you should hear a hiss each time you open the vent after it's been closed for a while. If it doesn't, you should look into fixing the vent or buy a new tank. The hiss is the pressure from the evaporating gasoline that builds up until it equalizes in the tank--and there lies your problem. When the vent is open, it will continuously exhale fumes as the gasoline evaporates. When closed, it should not, but you can't leave it closed when motoring. That suggests that you lift the tank out to the cockpit for motoring, and put it back in the locker after you've closed the vent.

You're right--the newer models (like our '85) have a fuel locker that's integral to the cockpit and completely separate from the "dumpster."

A question: I assume you have a cowl vent at the aft end of each coaming, as I've seen on most older models. Is the vent on the port side open toward the bow or stern? I would think it should be open toward the stern so that under most sailing and mooring situations it will be drawing air out of the port locker as opposed to pushing it in. That also raises the question of whether the prevailing winds come across your bow or your stern where the boat sits (at a dock or on a trailer). The port vent should face away from the wind, and the starboard vent should face into the wind. If there are no vents, then, well, I'm very afraid for you! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2002 : 20:32:48

This could certainly be a serious situation. The very first thing I do every time I go on my C-250 is do a sniff test in the bilge. I have seen two boats burn to the water line. The last one was some couple fishing close to a bridge I was doing construction on. When I had to take the crew boat around the small island I could see a large plume of black smoke. I expected to see some bodies floating. But I pulled the man and woman out of the water about 100 yards from the boat. She was very shakened up.

I boarded my old C-22 "Desi" once to the odor of gas. I had disconnected the fuel line from the engine and put it in the locker. As the summer heat built up it pressurized the tank and started a siphon. I had to sponge up two or more gallons of gasoline out of the locker.

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.