04 Champ206 elite Gas Cap/Vent hose leaking

[StormR]

I've got a problem with a gas leak when I fill up more than a half tank of gas. I was able to see the gas tank pick-up hose connections behind the middle seat. It is pretty clean and not seeing any problem there. There is a round access hole cut in the storage compartment behind the passenger seat. Unfortunately, it seems to be too low and I mostly see gas tank. I can feel the hose with the tip of my fingers, but cannot see or feel where the fill/vent hose is clamped on to the gas tank. Can anyone with knowledge of changing out the gas cap/vent tell me how to get to this clamp? I can't believe that I will have to remove carpet to find another access point. No!

[champion_206]

you will have to pulll both seats out, then take out the base the seats mount to, it heavy aluminum (of course your carpet is glued to it) fairly heavy also, then you can get to the tank and can inspect it for the leak and change your vent line also, its sound like alot but its all about finding all the screws hidden in the carpet, not to bad of a job, had worse

[StormR]

Thanks for replying! I have found a bunch of screws.
Will I need to remove the black rubber riveted bar that runs along the seat back ridge to get to more screws?
Will the heavy aluminum base seem loose after I remove the screws?
Will I need to scrap the carpet and replace it after I get the heavy aluminum base out of the boat?
Let’s say I knew what I was doing… How long would it take me to do the job?
Thanks for your help!

[champion_206]

no you do not remove the carpet, its glued and its a big piece of alum.(take all your seats out first) its kinda heavy, may need help lifting it out of the way or out of your boat and yes you will know when you have all the screws out it will be loose, no do not remove the riveted black bar, couple hrs if your doing this by yourself, depends on the repair to the tank also, so count that time in to, mostly just removing screws and putting them back in, time consuming good luck

[WaYoop]

Gosh this forum is good, real life experience sure is helpful

[T MAN]

champ_206 is dead on I've had to pull mine out as well. There is a pile of screws so two words of caution: make note of where the long screws go and do not use a screw gun to tighten them during reassembly...You can run them in BUT tighten with a philips screw driver to prevent stripping..

[champion_206]

I am a mechanic at a champ dealer, like to help out when I can and make it easier on other champ owners doing their own repairs

[Hillsreels]

[StormR]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the info. I hope to get on this job just as soon as my income producing job lets me get to it. The driver and passenger seats each have two heavy metal straps that the seats slide into. Do they need to be removed as well?

[champion_206]

as long as there attached to the base and they come out with the base, it your talking about the backs nope leave em on, they will come out attached to the base, the base, which also supports the backs of your seats.

[StormR]

Had some time to start the project. I've got both sides and bottom of the heavy aluminum base loose. It will lift up. It seems to be loose at the top under the black riveted bar? Is this where it's glued? Do I just need to pull real hard to separate it? I've attached a couple of pictures showing the black riveted bar. Will the black riveted bar come out with the aluminum base?

[champion_206]

take a screwdriver and check it its riveted to the base or back deck, I belive thats just a cosmetic strip added to hide the joint for the back deck/seat base, just lift up easy on the base and see wheres its attached to, I think the base slides out underneath the strip, lift up on the base and feel where its attached to, good luck looks good so far, and yes those seat back inserts will remain on the base when you remove it

[StormR]

Spoke with John from Boater's Marine today. He gave me his thoughts to help me out with the unknown. The black riveted bar did need to come off so I could get to 8 screws that was holding the top of the aluminum seat base attached. The last picture shows my problem. I want to thank everyone that gave me input with this project. You eased my mind during the process. Bass Boat Central and it's Champion forum participants are great!













The hose is too short.

[champion_206]

glad to see you found the problem, the last seat I took out was on a 198, not alot of warranty work done for your problem, now ya just need to find all those screws holes again good job

[Lea]

Jon Lilley, of Boater's Marine, is a top-notch guy. Also a BBC sponsor!!!

Glad you got the solution in hand. Good job!!!!!

[StormR]

Job completed now. Everything went back together without an issue. Cleaned my bilge, too. The replaced vent hose was just long enough to get half clamp on the gas tank and a one clamp on the combo gas fill / tank vent. Lack of detail or laziness by the individual that originally installed it. Oh well, fixed now.