Postby Viper » October 21st, 2019, 9:03 pm
Certainly the fuel fill and vent hoses are suspect but so is everything in the fuel supply circuit; hoses from tanks to fuel selector valves if applicable, to fuel filters, filter assemblies, and from there up, and the vent hoses. All fittings in the circuit are suspect as well, so are the tanks themselves. I mention this only because you say there is only 10 gallons of fuel in each tank so I assume that fuel has been there for a while and you haven't added fuel recently. If that's the case, there likely hasn't been fuel through the fill hose in a while. Right after a fill is usually when the fill hoses leak. Unless they're in extremely bad shape with open tears, that are allowing you to smell tank contents, those particular hoses may not be your problem. Usually the hoses have cracks just big enough to allow fuel to seep through during filling but you usually don't realize there's a problem until then. While the vintage suggests they're likely due for replacement, I recommend checking all the possibilities. If you don't find anything, you may want to consider having the tanks pressure tested. Don't add more fuel until you find the problem in case it's actually a tank leak. OH and don't forget your generator! And I can't stress enough the need to ventilate and be careful, plus ventilate, oh and did I mention ventilate!
BTW, shutting off all electrical power is a good idea but DO NOT disconnect the batteries unless you're absolutely sure there are no vapours present.
PS; are you sure you're smelling fuel? I've had people mistake the strong odour of badly permeated holding tank/toilet hoses for fuel leaks.
That being said access can be a pita then again it depends on the boat. Hopefully it is just the hose as the tank is a rather large and expensive job in comparison. You did not mention what model boat you have.
Sponsors