Pro V Gas smell

[Scott]

Hi,

Just got a new boat. It is my first boat ever. It smells of gas in my garage. Nothing too overpowering but a smell of gas none the less. Especially when I open up the floor compartments. This normal? I can't get my wife off my back side because she says it smells horrible and I told her it was all okay. Or at least I hope. No leaks or gas spillage ANYWHERE. Help fellas!!

Thanks,

Scott

[iamwalleye1]

Give your dealer a call. That is what they do for you!

[fshrman-r72]

Good idea, give your dealer a call and be on the safe side.

For your information my last three boats had a smell of gas when closed up in garage. 1 Crestliner and 2 Rangers. Usually when tanks were full and high humidity I could smell gas. Seems vents were working and was normal. Be on safe side and get some good advice.

[T-Mac]

Better have your dealer check that out, Scott.

It is very easy for a floor screw to penetrate a gas line or vent line when the floor was installed to cause this.
We rigged out a new 1775 just last week and came across the odor. It appeared when I put 20 gals of fuel in the tank and water tested the boat prior to our out of town customer picking it up.
When I got back from the water, one of the techs pulled up the floor panel over the gas tank up and found a screw had been run into the main fuel line. We were surprised the engine ran well and didn't suck air...? It had passed the factory pressure test, too.
Anyway...it can happen.

Another place to check is the fuel vent/overflow. Sometimes too much sealant gets used and clogs the vent line so that it is sealed, and cannot vent correctly. Then you get the gas smell, too.

Have a dealer look at it.

[Scott]

Thanks T Mac...i'll call in the morning.

Scott

[rebelrn2001]

I have a 1998 Pro V 1775 and have had that same smell since day one. I have never noticed any gas anywhere else in the boat/bilge. I am guessing/hoping this is just the way the gas is vented etc. The smell is strong in the cargo/storage areas too. LOVE THAT BOAT

[BenFishin']

I have had two different Lunds with built in tanks. Both had gas smell when opening up the storage compartments. I checked out the first boat and dealer checked the second. Neither boat had any leaks that could be found. I would guess that some fumes or small amount of gas is leaking. But I know that a small amount of gas can make a lot of odor. You may want to have your dealer inspect it seeing it is still under warranty.

[Dodge1]

I’ve found that unless I store my boat almost exactly level, I’ll start to smell gas, especially when the tanks are a tad on the full side.

[Kelly]

My 1800 Pro V has reeked of gas from day one, and very strongly throughout the entire boat and it's compartments. I recall this question from previous years on this board and everyone said it was normal. It's so bad that I was scared to fire up the garage furnace this winter. If there is a fix what can be done to solve the problem?

[perchjerker]

I would have to say some fuel odor is unavoidable since boats dont have a sealed fuel system with a vapor recovery system like automobiles have. The expanding fuel vapors have to go somewhere. And since the tank is vented to the atmosphere, you are going to get some odor.

[shadowalker]

i have a 2003 2025, pro-v,,,,,never a smell,,,check it out,,,

[Cliffy Kleven]

I agree. Unless your storing the rig with some sort of cover over the vents that would trap the smell?
My Pro-V don't smell,,,,, LIKE FUEL anyway.

[Netminder]

I have a 2001 1900 Pro V and I have had this problem. Lund's only suggestion was to have the dealer look for leaks (None found). I called the company that manufactures the tank and they told me some plastic tanks can "Breath" fuel vapor for up to a year or so. The smell in my boat is improving lately so maybe there is something to what they said.

Netminder

"Learn from the mistakes of others, because you won't live long enough to make them all yourself"

[T-Mac]

I strength level of the smell is key.
You are entirely right... a small smell will be present, especially with a full tank.
I usually don't have enough money to fill the tank ON THE WAY HOME, from fishing ... ;-)
Mine sits pretty empty, uncovered, and fume free.

[Foz]

Well this is Scott, the one who posted first...

I called the dealer, he said to first wash the thing out with water. He said that Lund told him that if any gas has spilled and soaked into the foam or under the deck that it takes a long, long time to get that smell out. He told me to run water near the front of the boat and mix in some dish soap, run it under the rod storage compartment as well for about 10-15 minutes and mix in some dish soap there too. He has done this before and the smell goes away. He also said to bring it in for a pressure test. I'm gonna try the wash first, will it hurt anything???

Thanks,

Scott


"ah, looky there, I've gotta bite"

[getcha some]

Both my 1900 and 2025 Pro V's stunk like gas from day one. We never found a leak, and were forced to live with the stink for 7 years.

But the good note is my new Ranger 620 smells sweet as sugar, kinda like a new $100 bill.

[iamwalleye1]

Hey Scott
I have found in the fall when cleaning out the bilge area I have found Dawn dish soap to work great just don't use to much with high pressure you will have bubbles forever!
Can you keep the walleye central folks posted ?

[Mhumpal]

My 1999 1775 Pro V has had smell off and on. I believe it to be lack of venting from under the floor where gas tank is located. Adding a couple of vents will help your smell in compartment areas. Good luck and you have a great boat. Mine has fished great and could sell it tomorrow for what I paid for it.

[Foz]

I sure will keep you posted. I'm gonna clean her out this weekend.


Scott


"ah, looky there, I've gotta bite"