Gas in my hull: HELP

[mexicobeach2520]

After a recent fill up, I noticed gas in the bilge water as I was washing the boat. I have a 92 model 2520 with I think a 100 ish gallon tank. I can see the tank at the access holes and the hose connections but can see no leaks. I am hoping maybe it is a hose or maybe the fill hose. Any ideas how to find the leak? How do you access the tank if it has to be replaced?

 

[ParkerJr]

How much gas was it? The fill hose comes through the deck and down under the floor to the tank on the port side so you can check that but I think if it was leaking there it would be obvious. Can you smell fuel vapors inside the cabin? I would check all your fuel supply lines/primer bulb and filters that are routed in the bilge back to the motors when they running. It is possible the tank did rupture and start leaking but I doubt it. Unfortunatley the only way on a Parker to change the tank is to cut the whole cockpit deck out for access.

 

[Megabyte]

If you pop the rear hatch over the tank, there will be a manufacturers label listing the size of the tank in gallons.
My 1996 2520 MVSC has a 127 gal tank.

If you have never replaced the fuel fill and vent hoses, I would suspect them long before I would the tank.
Even though I had no evidence of a leak, I replaced my hoses this past spring as a maintenance and safety item.
It's good insurance against a future failure.
As ParkerJr suggested, also look at the hoses aft going to the motor to include the fuel bulb, especially if those have never been replaced either.

Finally, while you have that aft deck hatch open over the tank, take a close look at the fuel sender and gasket on top of the tank.
If you only noticed the gas after a fill-up, a bad gasket there would be the first thing I would suspect due to the fuel level.

Good luck!

 

[gw204]

For comparison sake, I think the fill hoses on my old '93 Grady sprung leaks in the fall of 2007.

I had the same situation. Gas in the bilge after filling up one day. Since it was the last trip of the season though, I took the winter to pull the tanks for inspection (I could do that easily because of the removable deck panel) and replace any failing lines. Tanks were fine, as were the vent and engine supply lines. The fill lines had substantial cracks and dry rot at all the bends.

 

[Parker23]

Water seperator or adjoining connections?

 

[mexicobeach2520]

Thanks for the help. I am going to change all hoses and the seal on the top of the tank. One more question, how is the easiest way to change the fill hose? Do I attach a "snake"wire to the old hose to pull the new hose through to the tank?

 

[Megabyte]

We have had several "How-To" threads on the subject in the past, some with photos.
Use "fuel hose" as your search term.

Two methods used...

1.) Attach a pull cord to the old hose, remove, and use the pull cord to bring in the new hose.
2.) Attach the old hose directly to the new one, and pull out the old hose while feeding in the new.

I believe the consensus was that method #2 works the best, especially if you have another set of hands helping.

 

[mexicobeach2520]

Thanks for the tips on changing the hoses. The threads in this site are full of good info. Going to change all the hoses this weekend. Florida won't let us catch anything anymore so we might as well work on our boat!! Anyone got any tips on how to change the fishing regulations in Florida?

 

[Megabyte]

Anyone got any tips on how to change the fishing regulations in Florida?

Actually, I wish Maryland had some of your regulations... starting with a total net ban.