Smell of petrol, or not?

[Falling Star]

Do all outboard powered boats with a tank in the lazerette smell of petrol? We have had diesels on shafts before so no experience with outboards.

Viewed a couple of boats recently and there was a distinct petrol odour. Is that always the way?

 

[simonfraser]

no smell of petrol in mine

 

[Adetheheat]

So it's not just me. I was about to create a thread about it. I have a Beneteau Antares 750 motor boat but inside the cockpit it smells of fuel - although the fuel tank is outside next to the outboard.
Is this normal?

 

[Martxer]

I can get a smell of petrol in the aft from the fuel tank vents but no smell inside.

 

[julians]

Do all outboard powered boats with a tank in the lazerette smell of petrol? We have had diesels on shafts before so no experience with outboards.

Viewed a couple of boats recently and there was a distinct petrol odour. Is that always the way?

No it's not normal, could indicate a small leak, or maybe the tank breather hose is cracked, become unattached or similar.

 

[julians]

So it's not just me. I was about to create a thread about it. I have a Beneteau Antares 750 motor boat but inside the cockpit it smells of fuel - although the fuel tank is outside next to the outboard.
Is this normal?

No, not normal. Could be fuel in the bilge?

 

[Falling Star]

No, not normal. Could be fuel in the bilge?

I did have a look. No sign of any problem with the tank.

 

[simonfraser]

according to some others in the yard, the MF 695/2 has been 'upgraded' with extra passive ventilation hoses to kill off the fuel smell specifically in the aft cockpit section

is there always just a hint of a smell, but it depends on how well ventilated ??

 

[Bouba]

Could be just spillage...lots of people fill petrol boats from jerrycans because it’s cheaper to get fuel from Tesco...then they try filling on a pitching deck...fuel goes everywhere including the sea

 

[Falling Star]

according to some others in the yard, the MF 695/2 has been 'upgraded' with extra passive ventilation hoses to kill off the fuel smell specifically in the aft cockpit section

is there always just a hint of a smell, but it depends on how well ventilated ??

So I guess Jeanneau must have had several cases reported for them to bring out the upgrade.

The two boats we looked at and noticed the smell were both MF's.

Is this only a Beneteau and Merry Fisher problem?

 

[Portofino]

Fuel smell lingering excessively after fill ups esp brimming it on a classic car .

Here’s a short fuel pipe taken off a car .Runs from filler faucet to a tank .


Doesn’t look so bad ^ ?
Watch when squeezed below .

Porous as hell ^

New section fitted below .

Smell evaporated so to speak Never returned .

 

[Falling Star]

So the consensus seems to be, don't spill fuel and also check pipes/hoses for leaks and porosity. Is that enough to prevent a smell or do some model outboard boats have an inherent problem?

 

[Bouba]

So the consensus seems to be, don't spill fuel and also check pipes/hoses for leaks and porosity. Is that enough to prevent a smell or do some model outboard boats have an inherent problem?

Like any petrol engine....if the timing is retarded there is a smell in the air from un burned fuel

 

[Falling Star]

Like any petrol engine....if the timing is retarded there is a smell in the air from un burned fuel

I'm thinking more about outboard powered boats with a built-in fuel tank under the cockpit rather than petrol inboards.