[scrapiron]

I may have a leak somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it so thought the collective wisdom at MS could help...

2016 East Cape Vantage (new to me) and had a strong smell of gas. The dealer drained the fuel/water separator into the bilge (it was fuel). I got it all out, wiped it down and the next morning, there was fuel in the bilge. Replaced the filter and no leaks there. Took all (most) of the old gas out and refilled with fresh.

Noticed fuel through the front hatch drain hole and the anchor chain was soaked in fuel. Took the port side speaker out and saw fuel puddled by the fuel cell. Same side as the vent. No idea how that got there.

Got that fuel out, wiped out dry. next day no fuel in bilge but strong fuel smell. Got some Simple Green and hosed down the inside so it drained out- got all three sides wet (three drain holes) and lots of water flushed through. Put a fan in front hatch to blow down inside of boat.

Today, everything dry but still a strong smell of fuel. What's going on?

1. Could be the vent pipe is clogged? How do you remove a flush mounted vent? There is no access to the inside (rod tubes)
2. There is a dinural valve in the vent line... could that be leaking? No sign of fuel leaking though.
3. What else should I check?


Thanks!

 

[Zika]

Hate to say it, but you may have a pin hole in the fuel cell. I had a similar problem with my former flats boat and had to replace the tank due to corrosion/holes. But mine was a much older model than your Vantage.

Is it the original tank and powder-coated? If no other responses, I'd call EC to get their trouble-shooting tips or research replacing the tank.

 

[BrownDog]

I don’t want to think there would be a pinhole in a 2016 but you never know.

check all your connections and air it out a bit longer. Check the sending unit too especially if you filled it up all the way.

 

[iMacattack]

Use a lighter and....

JUST KIDDING!!! LOL

"there was fuel in the bilge" and "Noticed fuel through the front hatch drain hole and the anchor chain was soaked in fuel. Took the port side speaker out and saw fuel puddled by the fuel cell. Same side as the vent. No idea how that got there."

I would start your search at the tank. Try to do a full visual inspection. If it's pooling then good chances you should be able to find the leak upstream. However if the bottom of the tank has a crack or pin hole leak then it may be harder to find. They make a florescent dye you can put in your fuel tank to help pinpoint the leak.

Amazon.com: ACDelco 1148963 GM Original Equipment 10-5045 Multi-Purpose Fluorescent Leak Detection Dye - 1 oz : Automotive

Buy ACDelco 1148963 GM Original Equipment 10-5045 Multi-Purpose Fluorescent Leak Detection Dye - 1 oz: Leak Detection Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Get a UV light if you don't already have one.

Amazon.com: Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light, 51 LED 395 nM Ultraviolet Blacklight Detector for Dog Urine, Pet Stains and Bed Bug : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com: Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light, 51 LED 395 nM Ultraviolet Blacklight Detector for Dog Urine, Pet Stains and Bed Bug : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

Good luck!

 

[K3anderson]

Unlikely its the tank itself that new. I would check the lines first.

 

[PluffMud]

I may have a leak somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it so thought the collective wisdom at MS could help...

2016 East Cape Vantage (new to me) and had a strong smell of gas. The dealer drained the fuel/water separator into the bilge (it was fuel). I got it all out, wiped it down and the next morning, there was fuel in the bilge. Replaced the filter and no leaks there. Took all (most) of the old gas out and refilled with fresh.

Noticed fuel through the front hatch drain hole and the anchor chain was soaked in fuel. Took the port side speaker out and saw fuel puddled by the fuel cell. Same side as the vent. No idea how that got there.

Got that fuel out, wiped out dry. next day no fuel in bilge but strong fuel smell. Got some Simple Green and hosed down the inside so it drained out- got all three sides wet (three drain holes) and lots of water flushed through. Put a fan in front hatch to blow down inside of boat.

Today, everything dry but still a strong smell of fuel. What's going on?

1. Could be the vent pipe is clogged? How do you remove a flush mounted vent? There is no access to the inside (rod tubes)
2. There is a dinural valve in the vent line... could that be leaking? No sign of fuel leaking though.
3. What else should I check?


Thanks!

I am fairly new to the forum but here is what I can add.
Completed an extensive troubleshooting effort on my Vantage not to long ago where I was experiencing the same exact issue. It took some time and effort but I was able to track it down.
Thankfully the tank was not compromised. In my case it was the tank pickup tube\elbow on the top of the tank. If you take out your square drain puck and grab the fuel line you might be able to reach it with your hand. The camera on your phone and if needed you can purchase an inspection camera (some call them snake cameras) and start your inspection journey. Put my phone in the bilge area with light on and made a video of the rear of the tank that ran for about an hour. Made coffee the next morning and watched one boring video but it was worth the time as I saw a glimmer on the tank from the phone camera light that moved every few seconds. It was very small amount to fuel trickling down from the top of the tank. That is when I reach in through the square drain puck and came back with fuel on my fingers. I tightened the "O-Clamp" that connected the fuel line but that was not the culprit. I then purchased an inspection camera (prices are not bad on these) and spent my next few evenings snaking the inspection camera around the tank and other fuel connections. Once I got around the pickup tube I could see fuel seeping up around the threads where the pickup tube is threaded into the tank. If this is your problem then it is not to bad to repair. You have no room to unscrew the tank tube\elbow in order to seal it. You will have to go through the floor to get to it. I have some great fiberglass guys around me so just find one where you are located and show them what you have. A good fiberglass crew will be able to color match with no issues. Mine looks great.
This may or may not be your issue but I can tell you the cameras put this one to bed.
Also, I reached out to Kevin at East Cape and the support I received from him was by far above and beyond anything I could ask for.

Tight lines

 

[Zika]

Great leads from PluffMud. As others mentioned, unlikely the tank itself is bad on such a late model boat. Hopefully it's not and yours is a simpler (and less expensive) solution.

 

[scrapiron]

I knew MS would come through!

PluffMud that was very helpful and I hope I don't have to go that route... yikes.
UV dye might be another way to identify the origin, thanks.

So I stuck my phone in through the speaker hole just a minute ago and there was fuel again on the side of the tank! So I'm thinking it's the vent line dripping. The "diurnal control" is moist. I can't see where it's dripping, but nothing else is damp. it isn't wet on the slope or underneath... I will put a paper towel there to see. No moisture on top of the tank or sides (paper towel test).

I've got a very full tank.. took out a little yesterday. Let me google where to find a replacement control. No gas in the bilge.. dry as a bone. I think (hope) that this is the leak.

Called EC, but they're closed. Left a message.

Thanks again everyone. Now about that lighter test...

 

[scrapiron]

another update-

was wiping up fuel and saw a drip. It was from the diurnal valve. Gotcha ya little jerk!

there is an adjustment on it and I tightened it… seems dry. Will check in an hour.

 

[Steve_Mevers]

Use a lighter and....

JUST KIDDING!!! LOL

"there was fuel in the bilge" and "Noticed fuel through the front hatch drain hole and the anchor chain was soaked in fuel. Took the port side speaker out and saw fuel puddled by the fuel cell. Same side as the vent. No idea how that got there."

I would start your search at the tank. Try to do a full visual inspection. If it's pooling then good chances you should be able to find the leak upstream. However if the bottom of the tank has a crack or pin hole leak then it may be harder to find. They make a florescent dye you can put in your fuel tank to help pinpoint the leak.

Amazon.com: ACDelco 1148963 GM Original Equipment 10-5045 Multi-Purpose Fluorescent Leak Detection Dye - 1 oz : Automotive

Buy ACDelco 1148963 GM Original Equipment 10-5045 Multi-Purpose Fluorescent Leak Detection Dye - 1 oz: Leak Detection Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Get a UV light if you don't already have one.

Amazon.com: Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light, 51 LED 395 nM Ultraviolet Blacklight Detector for Dog Urine, Pet Stains and Bed Bug : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com: Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light, 51 LED 395 nM Ultraviolet Blacklight Detector for Dog Urine, Pet Stains and Bed Bug : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

Good luck!

We had some guys in Tampa area look for a fuel leak with a lighter....boom! lol

 

[devrep]

florida man.

 

[fishnpreacher]

We had some guys in Tampa area look for a fuel leak with a lighter....boom! lol

There was a local guy around here in north Ga that used a Shop Vac to remove gas from a tank. It didn't end well.

 

[jonny]

Your question about the vent removal. Not sure which you have. But if it’s round and flush. There is probably a hex in the center to unscrew it for cleaning

 

[jonny]

We had some guys in Tampa area look for a fuel leak with a lighter....boom! lol

I went sail fishing earlier this year outta West Palm. Our captain was a damn loony bastard. He was all over the place like a crackhead. It was the wettest ride in a boat I have ever had. We were in a Contender. During the horrible ride out he started talking about his pretty face and how many thousands of dollars it cost him. Then he started telling the story about him checking for a fuel leak in a bilge with- you guessed it a bic lighter

Just Damn
😕

 

[scrapiron]

Well, a little damp around the valve- no drip though. I’ll check in a the

Your question about the vent removal. Not sure which you have. But if it’s round and flush. There is probably a hex in the center to unscrew it for cleaning

No hex or anything in the center.

 

[Steve_Mevers]

There was a local guy around here in north Ga that used a Shop Vac to remove gas from a tank. It didn't end well.

We had the same thing happen in my area several years back. I nominated both the shop vac and bic lighter guys for the Darwin award.

 

[The Fin]

I am fairly new to the forum but here is what I can add.
Completed an extensive troubleshooting effort on my Vantage not to long ago where I was experiencing the same exact issue. It took some time and effort but I was able to track it down.
Thankfully the tank was not compromised. In my case it was the tank pickup tube\elbow on the top of the tank. If you take out your square drain puck and grab the fuel line you might be able to reach it with your hand. The camera on your phone and if needed you can purchase an inspection camera (some call them snake cameras) and start your inspection journey. Put my phone in the bilge area with light on and made a video of the rear of the tank that ran for about an hour. Made coffee the next morning and watched one boring video but it was worth the time as I saw a glimmer on the tank from the phone camera light that moved every few seconds. It was very small amount to fuel trickling down from the top of the tank. That is when I reach in through the square drain puck and came back with fuel on my fingers. I tightened the "O-Clamp" that connected the fuel line but that was not the culprit. I then purchased an inspection camera (prices are not bad on these) and spent my next few evenings snaking the inspection camera around the tank and other fuel connections. Once I got around the pickup tube I could see fuel seeping up around the threads where the pickup tube is threaded into the tank. If this is your problem then it is not to bad to repair. You have no room to unscrew the tank tube\elbow in order to seal it. You will have to go through the floor to get to it. I have some great fiberglass guys around me so just find one where you are located and show them what you have. A good fiberglass crew will be able to color match with no issues. Mine looks great.
This may or may not be your issue but I can tell you the cameras put this one to bed.
Also, I reached out to Kevin at East Cape and the support I received from him was by far above and beyond anything I could ask for.

Tight lines

Great first post!👍

 

[scrapiron]

Checked this am and valve is still leaking albeit a lot slower now. Anyone know where to find a replacement? I've googled but nothing is coming up. Looks like BlueSkies is out of business.

BK0280025 Diurnal Control Valve (DCV) Vapor Space Management

 

[topnative2]

just remove it and buy some carbon credits

 

[scrapiron]

Okay, took the DCV apart and it's a gasket (or lack there of). Disintegrated. Off to a big box store to get a new one.