Gas smell....355 Carver..

[benica]

Now ventilated.
Floor boards removed...fans blowing.
Issues? Did not top off the tanks. 3/4 level each tank..
1 tank Port...1 tank SB...3rd tank....not seeing.
This boat has a fuel fill port at the swim platform steps area...right next to the shore power connectors....reserve tank.
Unless it's hidden under the aft cabin bed...
Where is your reserve tank located...355 Carver.
No fuel leaks at the engines...nose says...toward the aft tank...
Appreciate your telling me where to look for the reserve tank.
It's on a boat...can't be hidden. The original Carver book....not showing any location...

[buster53]

Reserve tank is in the swim platform

[Viper]

Ya it's behind the aft bed wall under the swim platform. It's not uncommon for those aft tanks to leak. Usually the bottoms corrode. Very common to get pinholes in them. The only solution is to pump it out, fill with soapy water, pump that out, and either remove the tank for repairs or replacement, or take that tank out of service and don't use it.

[benica]

Thank you..
Under the swim platform...access is how?
Aft cabin wall..is the steering linkage, etc..
Swim platform...have the storage locker...
What?.remove the storage locker?? Cut the top of the platform out??
Appreciate your information. Pumping out the aft tank now...at least trying to...

[buster53]

Assuming your 355 is like my 356…
You have a night stand between the berth and bathroom bulkhead. On mine, the counter top just lifts off, with a tug. Remove it and the top drawer and you can at least get a good look at the top of the tank. When you do this and you get a strong whiff of gas, most likely, that tank is the problem.
Where is the smell the strongest?

When did you first notice the smell? Have you ever put gas in the aft tank?

[g36]

Here's a link to discussion on our site. Don't forget to try the search feature on here for previous topics... viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2932&hilit=355+rear+access

[g36]

Also here's some more ....viewtopic.php?t=2318

[benica]

Appreciate all the help. Thank you..
Search function...I should had remembered...
Fuel smell is strongest...aft deck and swim platform. Just below the fuel fill port...large...round plastic cover....access cover...removed it....powerful gas smell...
Used a small mirror and flash light...see the tank but no...visible leak seen....on the bottom...anyway....
Neighbor is happen...90 gallon free fuel...has to pump it out himself....then I'll pour some liquid soap...add water...pump out again...being environmentally cautious....and leave it for now...
Again...thank you for your help.

[benica]

Update...
Unbeknownst to me....family member...more on that at the end...
Once the aft cabin bed bulkhead area was cleared....able to see the tank....
Going to siphon out the tank and go from that point...
Started removing the sending unit screws....and gas is trickling through the screw holes! I'm thinking..what's going on here...removed the final screw and ground wires...pulled out the sending unit and gas is seeping out...
Family member....Unbeknownst to me...filled the tanks...while they were out playing...
Overfilllled. Filled to the brim...and then some.
So much so the the fill neck...rubber fill hose....aft tank...had some fuel in the hose....tried to siphon out some gas beforehand...the siphon hose went in about 3 feet and siphoned about a cup of gas before removing the access area of wood...etc...
That fill hose...aft tank...goes along the port side about 2 feet the curves 90° towards Starboard another 2 feet or so before connecting the with the tank...wasn't able to get the siphon hose directly into the tank to pump out fuel...meaning that smell was...because of being overfilllled.
Little long winded....but trying to provide info for the next person who might encounter a similar issue...
There is a vent filter also...pictures attached..4 boat shops...none in stock no substitute either...going to order online....it's about $140 bucks.
No..Zero pin holes...used soapy water to clean top of the tank and 3 lbs of air...deck was dry. Just an overfill issue...lucked out not having to remove the tank..

[g36]

Glad your not having to replace or decommision your tank. I have 2 seperate aft tanks in my 405 so i need to be twice as careful.. Overfilling is easy on these tanks. Seeping out the sender screw holes can be stopped for future issues. When i first got my boat i did overfill too , no matter how I tried not too have fuel come out the vent . Listening to the change in sound when filling usually works but definitely not always and when others help they don't know to listen. I usually just go about 3/4 or so now for my boating needs I never need completely full tanks. At least you know how to access that area of your boat.