Worried - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Seadoo boats

[cheappc]

I havent seen anyone talk about this here, I need some helpful hints. I took my boat out today, and I am still premixing to be in the safe side.

I smell the odor of my gas more profoundly now, even though my sportster is fully opened, I am afraid of the "station wagon" effect. More importantly is my 8 year old son.

Today was a great day on the boat, but we smelled those fumes profoundly more today than ever.

Do you think I should be concerned?

 

[Dr Honda]

Do you think I should be concerned?

Nope. you are in the wide open air. The old station wagon thing was a issue because people would open the rear window, and no other windows. The air coming over the roof would create a rotor off the rear of the car. That would pump COx into the car, and pressurize the interior.

You may smell the smoke, and un burnt fuel... but there is plenty of O2 to keep your blood red. :cheers:

 

[RFoster130]

Yeah there is no way it would cause a problem in an open environment.

 

[cheappc]

Thanks guys...

I was worried because Im still premixing (love it by the way), to make sure my engine is mixing oil right, but the smell of the sea doo boat fuel 2 cycle mix (everybody here knows the smell very well), it was really strong..

I was worried more about my 8 year old with his little lungs, and we went on the water for hours yesterday, and sometimes I would do 360's so we inhaled a lot of those fumes.

So, yes there was a lot of 02 out in the air, but just wanted to be safe..

 

[unclejay]

Wrong, wrong and Wrong

If you smell GASOLINE, you are not smelling CO2 - you have a fuel leak somewhere and it is an explosion risk, not a poisoning risk

CO2 HAS NO SMELL !!! And yes, there is a danger of CO2 poisoning at the rear of Sea Doo boats, because it collects under the swim platform and can kill a child swimming at the rear in a few minutes IN THE OPEN AIR.

Therefore never run the engine while someone is in the water. Common sense.

And dont remove the CO2 warning sticker it is required in many states.

 

[Chester]

I agree with unclejay. You have a fuel leak. Fix it before you go out again.

Chester

 

[cheappc]

Unclejay thank you for your warning, I will be very cautious about that (rear swimming platform).

OK, fuel leak? I never smelled it that strong the last 4 times I took it out, but yes, it was the first time I smelled it so bad...

Where do I look? I tell you guys I am very lucky, this boat does not spend any gas AT ALL! im serious.. I go 35+mph for 2-3 hours straight, and I think I use maybe 2 to 3 gallons of gasoline (or less).

I usually have half a tank, but I add 5 gallons before I take it out, I dont want to be in the position where I run out of gas and I mess something up..

So if I have a fuel leak, it might not be leaking so bad, but where do I start?

 

[djredman99]

Well, first of all, I would start with a good visual inspection of all fuels system components. Get in there and check your tank, all hoses, fuel filter bowl, carbs, etc. If you feel your hand get wet, smell it... Is it fuel? You may want to step away from your boat to "smell" so you don't confuse it with the normal smell of sticking you head in the engine compartment. Also, look for any fuel at the bottom of the bilge. Run you hand along all fuel hoses and feel for holes/cracks/dry rot. Feel all along the outside of your tank. Make sure all hose connections are secure...tug on them just a little to see if they are loose.

Then, if you don't already have a shop manual, get it and read the fuel system section and peform a pressure test on your fuel system. This would be the most conclusive test you could perform. If it does not hold pressure, spray the hoses, tank, etc. down with soapy water and look for bubbles after pressurizing the system. This will help you more easily locate the leak.

A couple tips:

If you find a leak, don't assume it is the "only" leak.

You may only leak with a certain amount of gas in your tank..like having a small crack in your tank that would require you to have at least 10 gallons in it.

Completely dry out your bilge of all liquid and let sit with your engine compartment propped open. (This is something you should always do anyways. Helps prevent fume build up inside bilge)