gas smell in bilge

[dps]

Does anybody know why I would have a gasoline smell in the bilge on a 2003 210. The fumes are not very stong but, are noticeable.Is this normal and accepted?

[Codfish]

Hi DPS,

The gas like smell you have noticed is not gas at all but an apparent smell from the curing process of the plastics in the boat. I too noticed the smell, in my mega hatch, one day when cleaning the boat. It worried me enough to put an explosive gas detector in the hold. The fumes are not flammable. They do displace the oxygen though so don't put your children in the mega to get them out of sight. (A joke.)

If you search the old threads for "gasoline smell" you will find previous mention of the same problem. If it really was a gasoline smell, all Triumphs would be burning to the water line.

codfish

[Cincinnati]

This is the first I've seen where someone has measured the fumes and posted the results. Very good information!

[Tygh]

Um, I would not simply accept that the smell is from the curing process of the plastics. While that is most likely the cause, there is always the chance that a fuel line is leaking.Each owner should take responsibility to ensure that there are no gas fumes accumulating. Failure to do this is dangerous.

When it comes to safety issues, do not take someone else's word for it, check everything yourself.......just as you would do if someone handed you a gun and said it was not loaded.

[dps]

Thanks for the infomation, I cant sleep peacefully without knowing the exact cause for the fumes. However, one thing I have thought about is the vent.Where is the vent for the fuel tank? Surely not in the bilge area!

[Cincinnati]

In the past when this has come up, the discussion has always been around whether the level of permeation from the fuel tank is at a dangerous level. It was generally accepted that poly gas tanks permeate some level of gas fumes, but that the level was acceptable. The separate issue around gas leaking from the tank or fuel lines is obviously of great concern. So I do remember the recommendation that the owner take the boat to the local fire house and have the fumes measured. Sounds like Codfish has done just that.

[Codfish]

It ia also important to remember that it is a "gasoline like" smell. Mine turned out to not be gasoline. I knew it couldn't be gasoline but that was the closest known smell to compare it too. I know others have had the same type of smell. If it was gasoline, there would be multiple fires on Triuimph boats and they would be out of business. It pays to be safe alright, but not paranoid. If you live in an area with a volunteer fire dept, they have the fume testers and would likely be glad to test your boat on a drill night.

To answer the question on the gas tank vent, it is in the filler cap itself. There is no seperate vent like other boats.

Open the mega storage and stick your head in. You will smell the same odor as your bilge. Storage and bilge are connected via the drain for the hatch.

I know this problem, or perceived problem, sounds real bad but it really isn't a loaded gun.

codfish

[LittleCasino]

Thanks Codfish, The smell has been a concern with me for awhile too. I'm lucky enough to keep my rig indoors, and I'm always leaving my center console/battery compartment open to air it out. I can sleep a little easier now too.

[Putershark]

DPS,
Another subject that you may want to pull a site search on for I know (this from the guy how has re-sorted this page more than once ) has been discussed in other threads in some depth...

Dave

[Codfish]

Little Casino, I too keep my boat inside. That is mostly why I checked out the smell with the gas sniffer. Even if wasn't gas, I wanted to know if it was flammable/explosive.

I certainly agree that it is important to check these things out for yourself. I just don't want a misinformation rumor started about Triumph having an unsafe boat.

Kind of nice isn't it, having your boat inside and out of the weather all the time? Makes it easier to notice the little things. Bye for now. codfish