Baller_ swbca Posted March 31, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted March 31, 2021 Bought the boat in October; it was a warm day here Monday so I went to the boat storage to check it out. The boat has a fuel leak somewhere and I couldn't see anything under the engine cover. Where would you look first and how to get access. When I put the boat in storage I added fuel and fuel conditioner, unintentionally filling to the max. 2 weeks later the fuel level had dropped below site when I opened the fuel cap. At the time I figured it was a problem with the filler connections above the fuel tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ RichardDoane Posted March 31, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted March 31, 2021 engine cover comes out, remove the back seat and panel, remove the floor piece behind the engine and get your flashlight out, that boat is old enough to need new hoses and clamps. It isn't hard, just takes some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Andre Posted March 31, 2021 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2021 Ditto on checking under the floor of back storage. Check carefully around the fuel outlet,there's a gasket. My ski finish in 16.95 but my ass is out of tolerance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted March 31, 2021 Author Baller_ Share Posted March 31, 2021 @Andre Fuel Outlet, I suppose that's the outlet on the fuel tank ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted March 31, 2021 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2021 Rare to leak shouldn’t siphon through the pump unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted March 31, 2021 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2021 Once when winterizing Our PS190 we found a good sized bubble in the fuel hose midway under the rear floor panel. Luckily we saw it and replaced the hose before it popped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BobF Posted March 31, 2021 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2021 If you truly filled to the top of the filler neck, It's possible that warming and cooling cycles vented out some of the fuel. Does your tank have an external vent fitting on the hull? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jmoski Posted March 31, 2021 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2021 +1 some gas being squeezed out the vent - most gas tanks are plastic, which contract when stored in cold temps - hence it comes out the vent as if you had overfilled it at the gas station... Do you see or smell gas in the bilge? That’s where it would end up if you had a leak in a fuel line or the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted March 31, 2021 Author Baller_ Share Posted March 31, 2021 @jmoski Yes, I way laying under the dashboard for about an hour installing an updated Perfect Pass system and then wire tying all the old and new tangled cable bundles under there. The fuel smell was so bad up there I was starting to have weird day dreams. The leak is also bad enough that the 40x20x16 storage garage smells like gas when I go in there. I have some time tomorrow to dig into this problem. Having the tank full will be inconvenient assuming I have to take something apart. I will bring a bunch of my 6 gallon fuel cans to siphon out the fuel if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Andre Posted March 31, 2021 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2021 This gasket that goes under this pump module. Lots of fuel pump died in those years of MC and peoples replaced themselves often.This gasket could leak after.Happened to a guy with an 08 Prostar on my lake.Fuel smells were really bad. Good luck! My ski finish in 16.95 but my ass is out of tolerance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted March 31, 2021 Author Baller_ Share Posted March 31, 2021 @Andre Thanks for the heads up. I am going to pull the boat out of storage tomorrow and fix the fuel leak problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jmoski Posted March 31, 2021 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2021 Good thing you weren’t smoking a cigar while installing the PP upgrade! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MNshortliner Posted March 31, 2021 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2021 @swbca When you where installing your new perfect pass where you cycling the ignition on and off quite a few times? Every time you turn the key the fuel system pressurizes so I would look from the fuel lines to the fuel rails and if it is as strong as you say it is, it should be obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted April 4, 2021 Author Baller_ Share Posted April 4, 2021 @RichardDoane @Andre It was easy to access the back of my old SN and older ProStar, but this 2004 ProStar is like an iPhone to me . . can't get it apart. It appears the hinges on motor cover have to be unbolted from the floor panel to get the motor cover out. Is that right ? Are there fasteners for the floor panel, or is it just really swollen into place ? The upholstered seat back does not pull up or out . . Specifically, can someone help me get access to the rear of the boat to inspect the fuel lines ?? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Andre Posted April 4, 2021 Baller Share Posted April 4, 2021 LOL! Open the storage area in the back and remove flooring! My ski finish in 16.95 but my ass is out of tolerance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ RichardDoane Posted April 4, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted April 4, 2021 you can also get some helpers and remove the engine box and the rear floor section as one piece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted April 4, 2021 Author Baller_ Share Posted April 4, 2021 If I were to replace the fuel line, should I get the line and clamps from my Master Craft dealer ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ RichardDoane Posted April 4, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted April 4, 2021 start with inspection. cycle the key to activate the pump so the line pressurizes, then look for drippage. it's more likely the top tank gasket than a fuel line failure. an over filled tank will seep out of that top fuel module seal.. a little fuel leak makes a lot of smell in an enclosed space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Lars Posted April 4, 2021 Baller Share Posted April 4, 2021 @swbca first take the struts off the engine cover and tip all the way back till it’s resting on the rear seat. Then you can reach under the rear floor and undo the 4 hinge bolts. Nylocj nuts I think. Best to have two people remove engine cover out of the boat. Then the rear floor will come out if you just pull it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Bongo Posted April 4, 2021 Baller Share Posted April 4, 2021 I chased the same thing a few years ago on my 2004 MC 197. And I followed the instructions @RichardDoane mentions. After detaching the struts holding up the doghouse (if still there), get a couple of friends to help lift out the doghouse and rear center floor panel as one piece. (I may have had four ss screws holding the center floor panel to the stringers; use a magnet to find them in the matted carpet.) Move to one side or take it all of the way out of the boat. Doghouse & floor panel set is awkward and fairly heavy. If that doesn't yield information, inspect the top of the plastic fuel tank. To get at the top, open the back storage compartment wing doors. Pull up the bottom carpeted floor piece. It pulls up like an inverted 'V'. You'll need to finagle it on one end to get it out. Made of plastic, so it'll bend with some force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted April 4, 2021 Baller Share Posted April 4, 2021 Does the bilge fill with fuel with the boat sitting still or only when the system is pressurized? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted April 4, 2021 Author Baller_ Share Posted April 4, 2021 @UWSkier @Bongo @RichardDoane @Andre @MNshortliner Findings about the fuel leak The strong odor occurred originally when the boat was in storage and I turned up the heat in the garage from 45 to 65 while working on the boat. I am inclined to think it was just vapor pressure leaking from around the fuel pump mounting plate when the temperature rose. The fuel line from the pump to engine under pressure for 4 hours doesn't cause any fuel odor. (this was after the boat was aired out from the vapor noted above). The pressure held in the main fuel line held for several hours after the pump was off . . I release the valve that looks like an oversized tire fill valve and pressure was still there. There is a slight odor around the fuel pump. 3 of 12 fuel pump mounting bolts have an significant oily residue coating on the large washer used with the bolts . . Appears to be from recurring seepage of fuel at those bolts. The pump is dated 2018 in a 2004 boat. The seepage and the odor make believe it just the gasket at the fuel pump. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ RichardDoane Posted April 5, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted April 5, 2021 Sounds like a fresh gasket for the fp module and proper torque on the fasteners and you’re fixed. Resist the urge to overfill the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.webp.8497384650ada8a3e4f1fd5dd6c3fb2a.webp)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now