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| I have long been battling a strong gas smell on my Tuffy Esox Mag. I finally cut through the floor beneath my rear seat mount and found that a long wood screw had pieced the gas tank. The boat is out of warranty and would have to remove the composite floor to replace the tank. Any repair options? |
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Posts: 32950
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Can you see the hole in the tank and get to it? |
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Posts: 541
| if you can get to it you can maybe patch the tank, and if the floor is carpeted you can replace the piece you cut out with a piece of green treated plywood the same thickness and recarpet it to match maybe
Edited by leech lake strain 6/13/2011 9:36 PM
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Posts: 32950
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | No. Do not use treated plywood. |
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| The tank does not seem to be secured... and can move it withn 2 fingers. I can get to the main hole (caused by the screw) but there is additional gouging that I can only see with with a mirror. |
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| PS...The hole I cut will be covered by the seat base. |
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Posts: 32950
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Where was the screw?
If it's where you can get to it by cutting a hole with a hole saw or reach it from the hole you already cut, you can get a short wide threaded screw with a rubber gasket attached (hardware store) and use a compound like JB weld to seal it over the top once you set in the screw. If the tank is gouged up but not punctured elsewhere, rough it up some with 600 grit through the hole in the floor you cut to set the screw, clean it well with acetone, and repair with any flexible cure adhesive that will stick to plastic. You can then put a floor vent or hole cover over the hole; easy, looks good.
Once you have the tank fixed, remove the seat base in the middle of the floor, and see if you can get at the front of the tank. Then call me at 715.680.9265, and I'll walk you through what to do next. |
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Posts: 58
| Do you have the side by side seating? I have the same problem with my 06'. I thought it was the adhesive for the carpet in the rod locker at first, but after 5 years I still smell it when I open any of the compartments. I would like to fix the issue, but not sure how to go about it. |
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Posts: 255
| Is this a common mfg. issue? I have owned a newer Lund and a newer Alumacraft. The compartments on both those boats always smelled like gas. Especially near the rear of the boat. I don't drill anything into the floor by the tank. I have always thought/worried about something like this. Any thoughts?
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Posts: 32950
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Could be a loose overflow hose connection on the tank, or a sending unit gasket leaking. Usually, the Tuffy issue is a dealer or end user not using the correct hardware shipped with the seat base mounts, but in the case of side by side seating probably is a loose overflow hose clamp. |
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Posts: 58
| Thanks Steve, I looked at the hoses where they attach to the tank, but I havn't checked the hoses near the fuel cap. I would guess if its something as serious as a screw through the tank I would be able to notice a loss of fuel. |
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| I have done some research, and very few things stick to a white polypropylne surface. I have been advised that JB Weld will peel off in no time. Other compounds require a torch, or are not suited for chemical (gas) exposure. I called the dealership that I bought it from and they did state that they mounted the seat. They also said the tank never should have moved like that. Dealership is doing some research and is going to get back to me. |
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Posts: 32950
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The hole in the tank can be fixed, obviously, if it's small enough for a gasketed screw. That's what holds on the other items on the tank like the sending unit and vents. If the gouges in the surface of the tank are not through the tank, then no gasoline will contact the surface if you repair it...because none will be leaking from the old hole and the gouges are not through the tank to the fuel. The JB weld will seal up the gasket/screw, not the tank surface, (note I didn't recommend JB Weld for the tank surface), and the thread will hold the screw firmly in place.
The tank is directly below that seat mount, so the hole and damage had to be caused by a screw that was too long. The Mag tank is rear mounted, and I do not believe it's strapped in for several reasons, I'll call in tomorrow and check.
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Posts: 541
| just curious as why you do not recomend treated plywood steve? |
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Posts: 148
Location: Northwest Wi. | I also have the "Gas" smell in a 2008 1760, but only when the tank is full and it sits for the winter, figured it was just expansion on the fill tube..I will take a closer look at the tank now. To bad no access panels in the floor... |
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Posts: 32950
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | pitch'n,
No problem with your rig, the overflow vents and alone could cause that over an entire winter, especially if all t.he compartments are closed up tight and the tank is plumb full. Could also be the hoses to the engines, especially if you have a kicker and a line T. If it's not an issue under use, there's no leak in the system.
No treated plywood, because resin doesn't stick to it, and if the floor is composite which I believe it is, the two materials won't bond together at all because resin won't stick to treated plywood and won't allow the composite to bond to the wood.
By the way, It's possible that Guest doesn't know Tuffy/Fiberdome is an OFM marketing/sales client... and past history..I worked for them for 30 years, am very familiar with the product, and certainly can help you. Chances are if you call in the the factory, they will pipe you through to me anyway. |
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Posts: 148
Location: Northwest Wi. | Thanks Steve..Thats what I figured.... |
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