Gulfstream fuel line problem

bayson

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I have a '95 grady. This summer I started smelling gas fumes, but found no leaks in the bilge. Last fill up the gas smell was pretty bad. After a couple hours of running I checked and there was a small amount of gas in the bilge. I am thinking I need to replace fuel lines. Is this something I can do myself? How hard to do?
 

Denko

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Depends on which lines are leaking. The supply lines to the motors shouldn't be too hard once you remove the deck panel. The fill lines will be a bit tougher because of where they are routed.
Good Luck!
 

DennisG01

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How hard of a job this is depends on your skill set. But depending on which hose is leaking, as mentioned above, determines the severity of the job.

However, how do you know it’s a line and not the tank? When’s the last time you fully inspected the tank?
 

VeroWing

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I've changed all fuel lines on a few different boats, including a late '80s 22 Seafarer I used to own. I was shocked at how bad the condition of the fill hose was once I removed it. You could slightly bend it and it would just crack open. What I did was to remove cockpit tank cover, and then remove tank fill bezel. Remove fill line from tank, being sure to stuff a rag into tank fill nipple to contain fumes. Next I tied several lengths of 80# test fishing line to one end of fill hose and taped it, and then removed all caulking/sealant around hose penetrations I could get to. I carefully pulled old fill hose out so it would stay together, which pulled strands of 80# test line through hose pathway. Then attached and taped the 80# test lines to new fill hose and pulled it through the pathway. After that it's just a matter of properly adjusting final length, clearing new fuel fill line, attaching and sealing openings, and returning fuel cell cover.

I recently bought a 1989 Gulfstream and have already removed tanks for inspection, and will be replacing all fuel lines probably within the next month, if I have the time.
 

bayson

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Took the boat to a friends marina for this repair and many other things. My 10 year old 300 Suzuki ran great, EXCEPT when I pulled into the marina I noticed oil in the water. After pulled they found that the oil filter had a hole that busted thru the filter. This filter was changed, supposedly by the Suzuki dealer less than 20 hours use. Never heard of a hole in an oil filter. Plan on making a visit this week to look.
 

SkunkBoat

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Took the boat to a friends marina for this repair and many other things. My 10 year old 300 Suzuki ran great, EXCEPT when I pulled into the marina I noticed oil in the water. After pulled they found that the oil filter had a hole that busted thru the filter. This filter was changed, supposedly by the Suzuki dealer less than 20 hours use. Never heard of a hole in an oil filter. Plan on making a visit this week to look.

They probably used a filter wrench to tighten it(which isn't necessary) and poked a hole.


As for the 23 year old tank....it can be hoses, the gasket on the sending unit, or a corroded and leaking tank....or all three. Its time for a serious look see.
 

Fishtales

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I'd check the tanks while there. It may be time to replace. Fuel in the bilge isn't a good thing....