Bildge Blowers/Ventilation

[LDT24/7]

I have a 84 Carver 3607 with 454 Crusaders that I bought 3 months ago. I've notice a stronger than normal gas/exhaust smell lately after being away from the boat for a few days. I've thoroughly cleaned the already clean bildge and checked for any type of gas leak, there are none. When I checked the blowers, the 4" inch on the port side was blowing into the bildge while the starboard side is sucking out of the bildge. Both blower hoses go to the port side vent. Is this normal? It seems to me that each blower should suck out of the bildge vent to its respective hull vent. Any thoughts?? Thanks in advance!

[km1125]

Sounds like one might have been installed backwards, or wired backwards. They both should be exhausting air from the bilge to the outside

[waybomb]

They should both blow out, through the vents that point toward the back off the boat. Air comes in one side, the side that the scoops face forward.

But if you smell gas, you have a leak somewhere. You should not smell gas.

[Viper]

I agree with the above replies. Also doesn't matter which side they exhaust to as long as it's overboard, and if they're connected to directional louvers they face aft as Fred mentioned or down.

Have you filled the fuel tanks recently? If so, check your fuel fill hoses from the deck fitting to the tank. They tend to crack with age. While you're there, check the vent hoses as well. Other than that, your tanks or the delivery system from the tanks to the engine are suspect including fuel lines, fittings, selector valves, filter assemblies, etc. On your engines, check the fuel pumps and the lines leading from them to the carbs including the small clear one. Also check your carbs for wet/leaking gaskets. With the engines off, try to look down the throat of the carbs to see if the intake manifold is wet. Pull your dipsticks, note the oil level, and check to see if the oil smells like fuel.

[waybomb]

Smelling gas in a boat is a very dangerous condition.

You have a leak someplace. I think viper hit them all.

Go to youtube and look up boat explosions; they were all caused by leaking gas.

Yes, I am attempting to scare you. This is scary stuff.

[Viper]

Forgot to mention, if applicable, don't forget to check the generator and related fuel systems as well.

Don't know how you'd be getting an exhaust smell without the engines running unless windows are open and neighbouring exhaust is making its way into your cabin when the wind is blowing just right. That could linger in your cabin for a while.

Curious; if you smell fuel or exhaust, are CO and fume alarms not going off? If not, why not??