Gas smell in engine compartment

[mls6722]

I have a 2008 22Ve with the Marine Power 340. I smell gas in the engine compartment when it's sitting in the garage. It is strong enough that I can smell it in the V-drive lockers as well. I am quite sure it is coming from the flame arrestor / throttle body. I have removed the engine cover and examined the entire compartment, and see no signs of leakage. Boat has 79 hours and starts and runs fine. Any thoughts?
Never smelled gas with my old 1991 merc stern drive.

[JreisRZR]

in every boat i have ever been on i have experienced a SLIGHT smell of gas fumes though i live on a lake so all the boats i ever use are outside 24/7, if its all closed up i wouldnt think this uncommon, maybe air the boat out leaving the compartments open overnight and then proceed to close them up again for an hour or two, if the smell comes back strong after that short time i would seek out further attention.
i mean this smell would make sense as this is why you gotta run the blower prior to starting, right?

[ajholt7]

That is why you run your blower, run your blower, run your blower! Can't stress that enough.

[bfrank]

I get that if my tank is full.....too full!

[boatwakes]

I wouldn't actually look at the engine first for leaks but rather the tank. You shouldn't have that strong a fuel smell while in the garage so it's possible your tank has an issue. Check the sending unit, fuel pickup hoses, fill and vent hoses for tell-tale signs of fuel being spilled or residue on the tank. If you don't see anything, use your nose to pinpoint where the smell may be coming from. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and will always sink into a bilge so be sure to start up high and work your way down. Be safe (turn off all electrical) and keep us posted.

[dogbert]

I wouldn't actually look at the engine first for leaks but rather the tank. You shouldn't have that strong a fuel smell while in the garage so it's possible your tank has an issue. Check the sending unit, fuel pickup hoses, fill and vent hoses for tell-tale signs of fuel being spilled or residue on the tank. If you don't see anything, use your nose to pinpoint where the smell may be coming from. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and will always sink into a bilge so be sure to start up high and work your way down. Be safe (turn off all electrical) and keep us posted.

Wise words. If you smell gasoline, you have a potentially serious problem. Just running the blower isn't going to solve the problem. Your fuel system has several connections that contain O-rings and these can sometimes fail, especially if they're not installed properly. It's easy to pinch them and create a leak. If you're not sure of what you're doing, take it to a mechanic that does. Fuel vapors in the engine compartment is a deadly combination.

[jleger98]

Ditto boatwakes and dogbert. Make sure you check your vent hose and connections, especially if it tends to be more prevalent when the tank is full. I would also double check the fuel line coming from the tank. Its a pretty new boat, so it's not too likely, but maybe the line got pinched or something. Otherwise, with 79 hours, it should still be under warranty?? But I would figure out where the problem is before I would take it out on the lake.