2012 x30 gas in bilge

[BlakeEatmon]

Just picked up my from some minor service work (belt, raw water impeller, service) Upon filling up the gas tank at the gas station before putting it in the water, I smelled gas almost immediately. Figured it may be excess fumes and proceeded to put it in the water and roll on. When i was underway, the fumes were overcoming me. Turned on the bilge pump manually and a mixture of gas and water came out, mostly gas. I shut it down and put it on the lift. Any ideas? I'm at a loss. Been scared to keep running the boat due to risk of fire or explosion. #weekend ruined

[JimN]

Just picked up my from some minor service work (belt, raw water impeller, service) Upon filling up the gas tank at the gas station before putting it in the water, I smelled gas almost immediately. Figured it may be excess fumes and proceeded to put it in the water and roll on. When i was underway, the fumes were overcoming me. Turned on the bilge pump manually and a mixture of gas and water came out, mostly gas. I shut it down and put it on the lift. Any ideas? I'm at a loss. Been scared to keep running the boat due to risk of fire or explosion. #weekend ruined

What was done to the boat when it was serviced?

[CantRepeat]

I wouldn't start that boat until I was sure there wasn't a fuel leak and there is no gas or vapors in the bilge.

Open up the engine hatch and see how much liquid is in the bottom of the boat. The gas tank is under the rear seats and you can see where the two fuel inlet lines run into the tank. You should be able to see if they are leaking.

[bturner2]

As one who has personally survived a boat fire on the Detroit River let me be the first to tell you to not start or take that boat out again before completely removing all the gas from the bilge, vent the bilge and verify the source of the leak has been resolved. If your bilge pump is pumping gas you have a sizeable leak. That pump is not rated to pump gas and will burn up and can become a source of ignition for a fire.

If you're going to fix this yourself....

A.) You better have a good understanding of what you're doing.

B.) Be prepared for the possibility of a fire.

I would have rags and a couple fire extinguishers ready just in case. I would also get the boat off the lift and back on the trailer. Dealing with a fire while on the lift would be more difficult than on shore. Don't run it, get it towed back in and winch back on the trailer.

Jim's first question is very good as it is very possible that whatever was serviced caused the leak. I would start at the filler neck inspecting all the fitting, hoses and clamps going to/from the tank. This is something I do at the end of the season anyway and quickly check in the beginning of the season. Next visually check all the tank fittings then check the tank gasket and torque on the Allen screws holding the fuel pump assembly to the tank. When you're satisfied that everything looks good there you can consider starting the boat to see if there are any leaks while idling. The last test would be back on the water under power but only after some serious testing and verification while on shore.

Take if from someone that been on a boat that was on fire, you don't want to be in that situation.

[Jerseydave]

All great advise above, don't start it and get it back on the trailer. If you don't see any source of a fuel leak yourself you should take it back to the place that serviced it.

Did they replace your in-tank gas filter? If so they may have left something loose or the fuel line is not seated properly at the top of the gas tank.

[pap]

I'm shocked that you even thought of starting up the engine with the smell of gas. A huge explosion is possible with the gas fumes contained within the engine compartment and bilge area in that circumstance.

Under NO circumstances take this boat out until all the gas has been removed properly and the problem found and NO scent of gas is able to be detected.

Gas coming out the bilge pump....(!!)..Wow you got lucky.

[JDC]

#weekend ruined

You ARE lucky it was just a weekend ruined and not your boat ruined, or worse.
Get that leak fixed before running it on the water again. We don't want to read about you in the papers.

[bcd]

On a side note, why was the belt replaced? FYI, mine was throwing belt dust everywhere. They told me that there was a bad batch of belts and replaced the belt. The new one's doing it too. If that's the case, make sure they change your air filter. Mine got so plugged that the engine was losing power. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow to hopefully get the real issue resolved.

[BlakeEatmon]

Thanks guys. Yes i am lucky. I had no idea until the bilge started shooting gas.

Problem found. 3 screws are missing out of the fuel sending unit. Boat had gas in the bottom from one end to the other. Pulled the mid plug, rear plug and flooded it with a water hose trying to flush out all of the gas and clean out the bilge pumps with some fresh water. Got most of the gas out but still some in the bottom of the v. Also just in front of the sending unit there is a large molded hole about the size of a can of soup. It is full of gas and that won't go away? Any idea what that hole is?

[Traxx822]

Its your reserve tank now

[CantRepeat]

Thanks guys. Yes i am lucky. I had no idea until the bilge started shooting gas.

Problem found. 3 screws are missing out of the fuel sending unit. Boat had gas in the bottom from one end to the other. Pulled the mid plug, rear plug and flooded it with a water hose trying to flush out all of the gas and clean out the bilge pumps with some fresh water. Got most of the gas out but still some in the bottom of the v. Also just in front of the sending unit there is a large molded hole about the size of a can of soup. It is full of gas and that won't go away? Any idea what that hole is?

Who did the service on this boat?? They left screws out of the fuel pump sending unit? There needs to be a mechanic FIRED!!

[JimN]

Who did the service on this boat?? They left screws out of the fuel pump sending unit? There needs to be a mechanic FIRED!!

Was it serviced by a dealer? If so, they need to be biatch-slapped into reality. This is a serious safety problem.

Can you post some photos of this?

[CantRepeat]

Was it serviced by a dealer? If so, they need to be biatch-slapped into reality. This is a serious safety problem.

Can you post some photos of this?

Jim, correct me if I'm wrong but aren't the filters on the bottom of these fuel pump units lifetime? IE don't need to be change as a regular service item?

What would they be doing inside the tank for normal service? I don't get it.

[Traxx822]

Boat Explosion over memorial day <<< click link to watch video

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN YOU DUDE!!!!

[Geromy]

Had a very similar issue this weekend. Filled the boat full and stopped by boat store to pick up o-ring for gas cap and noticed fluid leaking out of center drain. Sure enough it was gas and started to freak. Long story short, the pump bolts were loose. Tightened the bolts, filled the boat full of soap and water, and drained. It would be a good idea to check if you do smell a strong gas odor, just to be safe.