leaking gas tank

[DanielB]

Hello, I have a Maxum 2800scr -99. I took her up this weekend, and today I smeld gas in the cabin. I looked in the front blidge and there was about 1 galon of gas. Its no gas in the engine room. The boat leans a litle forward on the trailer. Has any body any experiens of any thing like this?

[Phillbo]

I'm hoping it's a lose fitting. I'd start there. Otherwise you may have rust spots and will need to replace it.

Obviously you should not use the boat until fixed and all the leaked fuel has been removed.

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard

Does not sound good. As stated you should not use the boat until the problem is corrected. I would check all hoses and connections but it does sound like the tank needs to be replaced. I heard about this a lot on Bayliners and occasionally on Maxums, lot more Bayliners out there.

Cutting into the midberth to access the tank is required and many folks pull the engine remove the aft bulkhead of the tank and pull it out that way.

[DanielB]

Hello, to day I talked whit the guy I bought the boat from, he had replect the filling hoose. So I asked him way. It was beacuse it was leaking. So the fule is from that, not the tank leaking. He had't draind/cleand it properly after that. I draind the engine room from water and then I saw the drain hole from under the tank, when I opend it it ran out a LOT of water/gas mix. So now I have washed it several times and draind it. Only need to vent it out using the blower. I also presure tested the tank using a cooling system tester, and put 2 psi fore 15 min whit no loose of presure.

[mmwjr]

Keep a watch on it for awhile to ensure no more fuel leaks, hope it turns ok.

[Phillbo]

That is good news and also a stroke of luck. Operating a boat with 2 gallons of fuel in the bilge is a time bomb waiting to ignite.

[shrew]

I'm surprised it didn't smell like fuel vapor in the boat the entire time. I'm also surprised it didn't float to the surface and slowly evaporate over time.

PO knew he had fuel in the bilge and didn't clean it or mention it at time of sale? What a lazy A-hole.

[DanielB]

Yes, I'll keep an eye during the winter. PO dident know about the "blidge" under the tank, so can't blame him to mutch. Now I have cleand and ventilated everything. Thank you gays for suport and help.

[DanielB]

Hi, yesterday I took a look in the engine bay...and there was a lot of fule...not what I wanted...To day I took the sagisaw and took the floor in mid cabin out and cut out two holes in the tank. In the back of the tank, right under the suction lines there is a hole, aboute 1x1", and a smal one right beside. Under there is a beam that the tank stands on. So now I only have to figure out how to fix it...

[mmwjr]

IMO the proper way to fix it is to replace the tank

[DanielB]

To day I took the tank out, cuted it in 3 peaces . So now I'm going to make 2 new ones in stainles steel.

[mmwjr]

Be sure to pressure test the new tanks before installing them. Going to two tanks do you plan on two fills and supplies or a transfer port between them?

[DanielB]

I will do transfer port. 3" . And seperate air ventilation/ evacuation.

[DanielB]

Hello, now the two tanks are finish. Going to presure test later this week.

[mmwjr]

I'm not fimilar with that fuel coupling and assuming it's rated for this application.

Nice work with installing the baffles.

[donald]

That fitting between the 2 tanks looks to me that would be a place for a major leak!
I would not be using any large screw type fittings there!
Just my 2c!
Don

[JasonD]

Hi Daniel B
I think my boat has the same problem, it's a 2000 built 2800 SCR with a very similar story and symptoms.
Did you change your fuel tank in the end? Was it a big job? Where did you get the new tank? Was it expensive?
Sorry to ask so many questions but I have only just bought the boat and I fear it may be another big bill 😕
Any advice would be welcomed, thanks.

Kind regards

Jason

[DanielB]

Hi Jason, I made a new tank in stainless steel, old one was aluminium. I made it my self, had a blacksmith to cut out and preebend, then I TIG welded my self. So the cost for me was not so big, but many houers in the garage. The bigest problem when changing the tank is to get it out and in. You cant take it in one pease beacuse of the head wal's corner sticking out. Had too saw it in 3 peases. I lookd on the net fore a tank but dident found any, you probleby need to custom make one. Before you go bananas and take the tank out, dubel check so that it isnt "old" gas from the broken hose, its a lot of "pokets" under the tank and depending on the angel of the boat it ran out forvard or back. Have you puld the drain plug in the engine bay? My was plugd betvine tank and engine. God luck, and feel pleasd to ask anything./Daniel