Storage question

[Toolanddiemaker]

I'm currently storing my boat in a two car attached garage i think I'm being a little paranoid but I'm concerned about gas fumes filling the garage mostly because I have a vent free nat gas heater that runs all winter to keep the mancave warm! I don't realy notice it until I take the engine cover off but it's defiantly there. I have the engine hood off the hinges so I can work on it easier but I read your supposed to take the cover with the foam underneath off to stop condensation. That's when it starts to smell when that foam covers off any ideas? I shut the fuel switches to the off positions and it has a full tank. I don't see any leaks and it doesn't smell at all with the cover on. I guess I worry so much because my sons room is right above the garage and I don't want the house to blow up!

 

[Coastiejoe]

Legit concerns I think.

I would try a few things to see if it changes the amount you can smell.

Pinch the fuel tank bent line with pinch pliers.

Pull the breathers on top of the carbs and seal the tops with duck tape.

I think the caps are vented as well but I believe to allow air in, not out. If I'm right you don't have to do anything. If I'm wrong the remove the cap and put duck tape over the fuel flow.

If this seems to stop the odor then open the garage once a week or so and remove the tape from the fuel flow to allow it to vent every so often just to make sure there is no pressure.

I don't think there could be with a full tank and a controlled temp. But just to be safe it can't hurt,,,

 

[Dr Honda]

It shouldn't be a prob, if you have a fitted cover. They hold the fumes in.

As far as condensation... that's not an issue when they are inside a garage. Just make sure the boat is dry, before putting it to bed for the winter.

 

[Toolanddiemaker]

Thanks guys! I will do as advised.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

A garage with a vent-free gas heater will be a damp place, nowhere for that H2+O2 -> H2O water vapor to go unless the space is drafty, in which case gasoline fumes should dissipate. I would empty the fuel tank, myself, and burn the fuel in my car.

 

[Toolanddiemaker]

A garage with a vent-free gas heater will be a damp place, nowhere for that H2+O2 -> H2O water vapor to go unless the space is drafty, in which case gasoline fumes should dissipate. I would empty the fuel tank, myself, and burn the fuel in my car.

Not a bad idea I'll wait until I'm low on fuel /cash,and that won't be long and empty the tank!

 

[Cdn20valve]

I'd be concerned with the vent free heater in the garage. Those are illegal here in canada. Essentially your pumping carbon monoxide into your garage. Not a wise idea, especially since your child's room is above.

I'm currently storing my boat in a two car attached garage i think I'm being a little paranoid but I'm concerned about gas fumes filling the garage mostly because I have a vent free nat gas heater that runs all winter to keep the mancave warm! I don't realy notice it until I take the engine cover off but it's defiantly there. I have the engine hood off the hinges so I can work on it easier but I read your supposed to take the cover with the foam underneath off to stop condensation. That's when it starts to smell when that foam covers off any ideas? I shut the fuel switches to the off positions and it has a full tank. I don't see any leaks and it doesn't smell at all with the cover on. I guess I worry so much because my sons room is right above the garage and I don't want the house to blow up!

 

[USAF_Pride]

Legit concerns I think.
Pull the breathers on top of the carbs and seal the tops with duck tape.
<snip>
If this seems to stop the odor then open the garage once a week or so and remove the tape from the fuel flow to allow it to vent every so often just to make sure there is no pressure.

Instead of duct tape, use some latex gloves to slide over the carbs. Easier to put on and when you need to remove them, there won't be any sticky residue left. Plus it will allow for the expansion of the gas fumes.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Assuming you decide to empty the fuel tank, I accomplish this by disconnecting the fuel line from the fuel pump (probably on the carb, or may in some cases be a remote fuel pump) and connecting it to a siphon hose, set the fuel supply valve on reserve position, and simply siphon the fuel into gasoline cans. Reconnect the fuel line as it was and place the fuel valve to the off position.

* By placing the fuel valve in the reserve position, the fuel tank is almost completely emptied of fuel, it picks up fuel from the lowest spot in the tank.
* By removing the fuel from the boat, when spring comes you will be able to refill the tank with fresh fuel, there will be no doubts about the quality.
* And perhaps most important, an empty fuel tank cannot leak 22 gallons of fuel into of your bilge and out the transom drain plug onto the garage floor.

 

[Toolanddiemaker]

Great suggestions guys thanks for the help!!

 

[racerxxx]

Just drop a line down the filler neck, suck on the line and let gravity do the rest. Just have a line up of gas cans ready to go. That's how I did it on my Speedster when I switched to premix so I knew I was starting out correctly. Just go to Home Depot and get a long CLEAR hose so you can see the gas coming. Sorry, raised on a farm and we had to use dark green garden hose so you couldn't see the gas coming, LOL. Just chase it with a beer.

http://www.wikihow.com/Siphon-Gas

 

[USAF_Pride]

Just make sure you leave gas anywhere there is rubber seals, gaskets, etc. you don't want them drying out.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Just make sure you leave gas anywhere there is rubber seals, gaskets, etc. you don't want them drying out.

That a good point, crank 'er up with some pre-mix fuel to some oil up those carbs, any fuel in there now will evaporate.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Instead of duct tape, use some latex gloves to slide over the carbs. Easier to put on and when you need to remove them, there won't be any sticky residue left. Plus it will allow for the expansion of the gas fumes.

I like the glove idea....