2004 201ProXL gas fumes in compartments

[TNTall]

I am getting a lot of gas fumes filling the hull of my 2004 Stratos while sitting in my basement. If I don't leave the rod locker and starboard compartment open, everything in them will smell like gas. Is that normal? I haven't opened it up to see how it is vented, but it seems the tank should vent outside. I also leave the rear hatch open.

[Jumping Jimmy]

May be normal or may not. I have a 2004 and if I keep the lids closed it get a little gas smelling in there. It's not really a problem because I never leave the lids closed for any length of time. There is no gas in the bottom of my boat so I don't believe there are any leaks. i have owned other brands of boats and they did the same thing. I believe it is the plastic fuel tank emitting the smell.

[kercha83]

i dont have a 201 but my 2004 295 pro xl does not smell like gas fumes in the compartments.

[NWStratos]

I have a 2005 201 and I have noticed a slight gas smell in my rod locker compartments also but I have noticed a clear tube that runs from the back of the boat and ends in the rod locker and Im assuming its the vent for the fuel tank, not sure, but not worried.

[javelin90]

I have smelled it also in my rod locker. Notice it more when I have tank full of gas.

[mactlman]

i get that at times when all lids are shut not too strong but definitely a smell of vapor--doesn't happen if one or more lids are open

[e-tec]

I have a 2005 201 and I have noticed a slight gas smell in my rod locker compartments also but I have noticed a clear tube that runs from the back of the boat and ends in the rod locker and Im assuming its the vent for the fuel tank, not sure, but not worried.

The vent for the gas tank should not lead to a compartment! If the other end is hooked up to the tank you should worry.

[javelin90]

That clear line is a drain line for the box.

[awmcdonald]

It's normal. Gas fumes permeate through the plastic fuel tank. Leaving your back latch up when you store your boat is pretty much the best you can do.

[mactlman]

It's normal. Gas fumes permeate through the plastic fuel tank. Leaving your back latch up when you store your boat is pretty much the best you can do.

this seems to be it!!!!

[TroyBoy30]

leave the back hatch open

[Z21 Tom]

This is taken directly from a bulletin put out by Moeller who is a major manufacturer of boat fuel tanks....


Permanent Fuel Tanks
OPERATINGTEMPERATURES
Moeller Marine fuel tanks are capable of operation within anambient temperature range from -40°F (-40° C) to 176°F (80°C).
IMPORTANT: Fuel tanks temperatures must be limited to 150°F (66° C) when notin operation. Processes that include dry heating
of the fuel tank beyond 150°F (66° C) should be discontinuedimmediately. Fuel tanks subjected to temperatures in excess of
150°F (66° C) when not in operation, could be considered asdamaged, and may not be covered under the limited warranty.
PERMEATION
Permeation is a natural phenomenon of gasoline in a cross-linkedpolyethylene fuel tank.
Permeation is the result of gasoline fumes escaping from the fueltank, not the loss of liquid fuel.
Several precautions need to be addressed when using across-linked polyethylene fuel tank:
– Fuel(gasoline) vapors settle to the lowest point in the compartment, therefore, ameans for removing the fumes is required.
See ABYC Standards Section H-2 for specifics.
– Acovered boat will not allow these fumes to escape, so build up of these fumesis inevitable. Caution should be taken
when a boats fuel tank contains fuel and is covered for anextended period of time. A boat cover should never cover
the fuel tanks exterior vent fitting(s).
– Fuelvapors will migrate to any compartment open to the fuel tank. The smell of fuelvapors does not necessarily
mean that there is a leak in the fuel tank, but a closerinspection should be performed.
– Fuelvapors may be absorbed by other objects located in compartments where fuelvapor may migrate.
Following the above precautions, across-linked polyethylene fuel tank will provide years of service.

[CDN Bass]

i dont have a 201 but my 2004 295 pro xl does not smell like gas fumes in the compartments.

Me too.

It's normal. Gas fumes permeate through the plastic fuel tank. Leaving your back latch up when you store your boat is pretty much the best you can do.

Me too.

[venture89]

My 2004 201 Pro XL does the same if I leave the compartments closed. I just leave the compartments open when it is in the garage.

[TNTall]

Thanks for the responses. I've been having to my compartments open too.

[CDN Bass]

This thread is starting to smell...

But, seriously, my '04 295 PXL is the same. I simply open the baterry compartment and rod lockers and let it breathe.