2000 Adventure 208 fuel tank test

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Sapelo20

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We have a 2000 Adventure 208. Great boat but I wish I'd paid more attention when I bought it to the fact that for a couple of years (including the 2000 model) they did not make a removeable floor hatch over the fuel tank - the floor is one piece. Cutting the floor, building a flanged edge that can be sealed, screwed down, and removed in the future if needed is a big project that would require skills not found in our area. Why do I bring this up? Sometimes after filling the tank, trailering, or boating, I smell strong gas fumes if I open one of the floor inspection ports. I can't say how bad it is. There is no evidence of fuel in the bilge. I have removed and rebedded the fuel sender - one of the few accessible openings. I am looking for advice on how to test the tank, hoses and fittings; determine the source of the smell; and resolve the issue.
Thanks for your help / experience.
 
The tank in that model is plastic and normally can last a long time.
Gas fumes after filling can be a symptom of old permeable gas filler hose and/or vent hose

If you get the odor only after filling, that can mean that the hoses need replacement. Odors all the time can indicate a leaky tank
 
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You can plug things off and put a couple pounds in it safely.

But if there was an actual tank issue, it would be leaking - which it is not - and as mentioned above, it's plastic so all of the things you read about an Al tank don't apply.

Probably just old lines.
 
how long/complicated is your fill neck path? mine was about 17' from cap to tank, had a 90 bend, and went through a stringer. it was not easy to replace.
 
I agree, it will be a pain to replace the hoses - not good access, stiff but gas fumes make me nervous.
 
to make it as easy as possible, i would get a piece of pvc (4-6 inches long) that can fit snuggly inside the hose. put half in your old hose, and half in your new hose. butt them up against eachother. run a screw or two through each hose into the pvc so they cant slip off. tape the seam between the two hoses so there isnt an edge to catch. have one person pull on the old hose and someone else pushing the new hose in. say a prayer and hope for the best.
 
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The old hoses probably will be very stiff making the pulling of the new hose difficult.

You need to remove the side panels at the helm and look for the hoses. If original, there can be a tie wrap or two in the area below the deck all the way to the starboard side. Those will have to be removed.
It may make things easier if you take some pics of the hoses, especially up under the gunnel. The routing of the vent hose is important especially if there is a high loop in it. If you don't make the high loop, liquids including sea water can flow into the tank. The fill line is less critical but it is still important avoid down loops that can hold gas and result in premature gas nozzle shut off. Just get the new hoses where the old ones were. Sometimes you have to cut the old hoses to get them out. Save any cuts for later when measuring how must hose you need. Get about a foot or so extra for later trimming. It can also help to cut hoses under the gunnel and removing the combo fill/vent fill fitting so that you can pull the hoses out through it ( if using the old hose to pull the new hose. After the hoses are pulled, you attach the ends to the fill fitting and muscle the fitting and hoses back into the gunnel into the hole. Then position the hoses in their original location. At the tank you will have to cut off any excess hose length. Do not hang loose hoses if they are long. You could create low loops.

Soapy solution of dish soap and water may help the pull. Two sets of hands are desirable.
 
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