Leaky fuel filling tube

[JDK]

I think I located the source of the awful smelly gas leak that happens only when you fill the tank full.....it appeared that it was coming from the filler hose......the clamps weren't tight, so I tightened them, but it still dribbled out a bit so I think it's the clamps above the elbow that I can't get to yet, if the tank is filled and there's still gas in the filler tube it drips out from there......yikes

[joe_db]

What kind of boat is this?

[Al Schober]

How old is the fill tube?
On my '73 Tartan, I had to replace the fill tube - probably 10 years ago. Old tube just crumbled when I went at it.

[JDK]

I have a 1967 C&C Corvette 31......the hoses making up the fuel filler are new enough, replaced all of 16 years ago, the clamps were definitely not tightened good, possibly because they are hard to reach....short hose piece connects tank to a 90 degree elbow, above the elbow is the clamp I can't get to yet that I think is leaking, from there the hose goes up to the fuel cap on the side of the stern.....

[JOHN COOKSON]

I have a 1967 ...the hoses making up the fuel filler are new enough, replaced all of 16 years ago, ...

The replacement hoses are ethanol rated I presume. I don't remember how long ago the ethanol spiked gasoline started. I do know when it did started we were advised to re plum the fuel system with ethanol rated hose.

TRUE GRIT

[JDK]

all the hoses are of the same Made in 1999 vintage, i forget the brand name, it was a Made in Italy company.......iv found them to all be very robust, the fuel hoses especially, i dont think they are an issue, and it sat around with an empty tank forever, i keep it full of marine gas with additive in it now......the next thing i will do is crawl into the side bilge space next to the tank so i can tighten the other clamp i could not get to......ill attempt to inspect that 90 degree elbow as well, in case its plastic and cracked somehow or something......

[JDK]

on a separate matter, when i finally got the fuel hoses changed with the inline fuel filter, when the old one had dried out there was some serious rust staining inside of it, which leads me to wonder about the condition of the inside of my tank, as well as the condition of the fuel/water separator filter as well......that filter is currently buried and hard to get to until i move some stuff around.......the tank on the other hand, its a silvery looking metal one, it doesnt have a date on it but it says Tempo Marine Products Company , LongCruise Tank series......not sure how much it holds, maybe 20-25 gallons, and its fuel gauge only worked for about a week after i started running the motor, it hasnt worked since, stays at empty like if its switched off.....

[joe_db]

My C&C 35 fill hose was not ethanol rated. It connected to a short piece of copper pipe that was connected to a rubber 90 degree elbow that might have come from the hardware store for plumbing, but in no way was ever designed for fuel. Ethanol rotted the hose from the inside out and then the elbow dissolved and came apart
I would be replacing every bit of the original fuel system including the craptastic ternplate tanks C&C used to use. They weren't even good enough for normal fuel, let alone ethanol
EDIT - I had to get a custom elbow fabricated, there was nothing fuel-rated available that fit in the space.

[ndutton]

This response may sound terse and I apologize if it does but there are serious matters here.

• Although age may be a factor, what's equally important is the hose rating and from what I'm seeing you don't really know what you have. "Made in Italy" falls short on the confidence scale. Have a read of this for a little background. As we all know, I advocate thorough repairs so if you cannot determine definitively you have the proper hose for the blended fuel you're using, the time has come to replace the 17 year old Italian hoses with the proper type. At least you'll know for sure and age will no longer be a concern.
• I completely agree with confirming all connections are tight and undamaged. If you can't get to them, that's a problem. No way can you maintain a boat without access to all connections.
• Same goes for the fuel filter. If you can't get to it you can't perform the necessary maintenance it requires. Consider relocation.

There is nothing more dangerous than fuel leaks on a gasoline powered boat. You, your guests, your insurer and your marina neighbors deserve nothing less than the very best resolution, the full Monty.

[JDK]

1. i dont use any crappy cheap ethanol infested fuel.

2. the filter isnt accessable because of the mountain of stuff covering that side of my cockpit, its the outdoor storage area, once i move all the stuff around i can get in there.

3. There are no guests.

4. There is no contact with any marinas or the shore ever, i have to live at anchor.

5. There is no fancy insurance or anything like that, if i hadnt gotten this boat it would have been removed and broken up as old garbage to be disposed of, anything i have done with the boat so far it is lucky to have gotten done at all.

6. Someday i would like to replace all my hoses on board, but it certainly is not very high on my list.

7. the only reason i even posted about this is because i obviously know that having gas vapors whenever i just filled the tank is obviously not a good thing, thus i will be rectifying the situation as the next thing on my list, maybe i just need to change the elbow and hoses, or maybe it really is just loose, i certainly am going to find out the next time i have a day free....

cheers guys

[tomsailmaker]

There you go Neil That must take care of the problems.

[ndutton]

Very well then. Your boat, your choice. Best of luck.