Gas fumes

[Tightline]

I have a well cared for‘89 Nitro 185 TM. I’m getting the smell of gas fumes throughout all of my storage compartments. Trying to figure out if it is a vent problem or an actual fuel leak somewhere. Any thoughts on tracking it down?

 

[bigmikejones]

I have an '88 185 sport and have the same issue. I leave the hatches open unless on water and then when closed and open back up it is terrible. I am tagging in and hope others can shed light on this for us.

Mike

 

[Kirby Wilson]

First check your gas tank vents to make sure they are not clogged.
Have you checked your gas lines to see if they are leaking?
After that check the seals on the tank and replace if needed.
Gas fumes can escape even when there is no liquid gas can leak.

 

[david bendeth]

I had this problem all the time on my 189, especially with the cover on. Sometimes I would have to wait 10 mins for it to clear it was so bad.

 

[bigmikejones]

Mine is to the point if I leave rods in rod locker or have rain suits and life vests in storage compartment they smell as if gas was poured on. I will check the vent line again and check foe leaks but I haven't found any so far. If the vent was plugged would it not affect the running of the motor as it would create a vacuum?

 

[Kirby Wilson]

I have had vents plugged and it sometimes didn't effect the motor operation.

 

[bigmikejones]

Ok....Thanks for input. I will look more this weekend and see if I can pin point the source.

 

[Robert Jenks]

I had the same problem until I raised my vent hose, it had gas in the drooping area that plugged my vent once that was cleared I had no more fumes.

 

[Nitrosox]

I found my filler hose actually started to get dry rot cracks , the fumes were coming from that. It was a little tricky to replace, not much room to get hands in. Solved my fume issue.

 

[Corlis Dobson]

Ok...so what and where are these "vents" y'all are referencing?

 

[g48]

Interested in the vent location too. My 2009 nitro x-5 smelled like that from day 1.

 

[Tightline]

Bear in mind mine is older but my vent outlets are up near the fuel fill caps. Just the little chrome pod to the right in the pic.

 

[bigmikejones]

Guys I checked today. I have no vents from tank. What I thought was vent is only a hull vent and a pathetic one at that. See pics attached. Am I missing something? Could it be possible to vent through the gas cap itself?

 

[bigmikejones]

Tank has two lines connected to it. one One on the end and the other toward the center. Both are on top. Could one of these be a vent?

 

[jerry shack]

In the second pic on the right with the hose clamp is the fuel feed hose (goes to the motor) the other is the vent. In newer model boats the vent is in the fill cap so no over board spilling of fuel it reverts back into the tank. I would locate the fuel tank sender on the top of the tank. In a older boat sometimes the rubber seal shrinks on the sending unit. If it has been leaking you will see a discoloration around it. You have to go by elimination one thing at a time

 

[bigmikejones]

Thank you Jerry. What would happen if were to use that vent line and plug it where it goes back in the main fill and then add an external vent on the outside of the hull. You think that would eliminate the smell?

 

[jerry shack]

Not sure, do to it's not conclusive that , that's the problem. What you can do is try to plug the vent line at the tank or at the fill and leave the fill cap open for venting and see if the smell leaves. It's what I said about the process of elimination.

 

[bigmikejones]

Ok....Thanks. You have been a great help and I appreciate it very much.

 

[Tightline]

Thanks for all of the replies! Sounds like you've helped more than just me. My vent tube looks to have a dip in it that holds fuel. I'll start there!

 

[CPT Chi-Town]

Guys I checked today. I have no vents from tank. What I thought was vent is only a hull vent and a pathetic one at that. See pics attached. Am I missing something? Could it be possible to vent through the gas cap itself?

Big Mike, there is a vent line that runs from the tank back to the fill port (Perko) and is the square hole at the top of the filler neck. Cannot believe how the band clamps, installed at the factory, face. Impossible to access from under the deck. My son is starting to be sorry I gave him this 185 F/S, when I got my new Ranger. Starting to believe the fumes are coming from the carbs weeping during operation.