Joy664

He guys so we were having a friend help put gas in our boat and they accidentally put it in the rod holder $140 worth of fuel I think about 60 gallons worth into bilge. We were able to pump out and dispose on most of the gas until the bilge stopped working...

We put a hose in there about 5 times and let it drain out the drain plug since pump isn’t working now... still reeks of gas. I have all the ports opened up and airing out.

Will the rest evaporate if we leave it open the rest of the week? Not sure if I should try to install a new pump or not. We just got the boat a few weeks ago so I’m not sure what to do...

jon in florida

Wow!! That is quite a story. I would be very concerned having any electric pump doing anything. I guess now most of it out, but one contact spark and you problem could be a disaster. You are going to want to keep getting it reduced. Cleaners, wash, rinse, repeat numerous times. Install new pump once it's done. They are not expensive, and not worth the risk from damage. That is a first I have ever heard of the rod holder mistaken for the fuel fill. Didn't someone notice something wasn't right before 140 bucks clicked off??? I have used Odor-B-Gone concentrate on getting the oil smell out of a garage floor. Is it on the trailer now? If so, put a real good downward pitch on it. and rinse from the most forward access point rearward.

Joy664

Yeah it’s very unfortunate story. Yaaaa if it has been a smaller amount I wouldn’t have been so concerned. Do you think the residual gas can evaporate in the sun throughout the week though?

The water is it mine technically so I’m a little concerned about the bill if we don’t need to keep putting the water in we probably shouldn’t.

jon in florida

I personally would NOT let the gas sit. Gas is strong $hit, and will eat up many plastics. Fiberglass, gelcoat, etc. are all synthetic bi-products. Also the longer gas sits, the more it will penetrate or permeate into material. There will be an airing out time, But I would make sure you get as much gas out as possible. Not sure I understand your water concern? Is it the cost of the water? A comprehensive scrubbing with Dawn detergent and water would be a good start. What make and model is the boat?

Joy664

I think most of it is out... we did include Dawn dish soap in the water as well. The scrubbing is a good idea I will have to work on that later.

And ya I don’t want them to have a random massive water bill.

Still Stoked

Did you fill the bilge with soapy water deeper than the fuel was? Mix a strong concentration of Dawn, degreaser etc and drive around to slosh the bilge well?

jon in florida

What is the make and model of boat? A lot of boats run that bilge area all the way up the bow of the boat. You want to clean underneath from the most forward access area possible.

sammythetuna

Letting a bilge pump 60 gal of gas is an idiotic idea you are lucky you still have a boat...

fuel transfer pump is a much better choice.

gator75

Good advice. And if you can’t reach it, put the plug in, and fill the bilge up higher than the gas level line with soapy water. Drain, replace pump and you’ll be fine.

Onewolf

How did you pump out the gas? Did the auto bilge pump kick on? If it did... Holy crap. If it didn't why didn't it? I'm so confuzalated.....

jon in florida

That's what I was saying, one little ignition spark and with 60 gallons, you would never have to worry about getting the gas smell out that's for sure. You would be lucky to be alive if you were anywhere near the boat.

wajski

Did that rod holder have GAS stamped on it ? I have read about this before but just can't understand dose you rod holder have a drain tube going into the bilge? I would scrub with strait Dawn let it air then scrub with hot water and Dawn. Sorry to hear about your problem hope every thing comes out OK for you.

jon in florida

It would have to be a straight shot hollow rod tube. Any drain tube would never keep up with a gas fill flow. It would have over flowed almost instantly when the rod holder tube was filled. What was going in had to be coming right out bottom of the length of the rod holder. Can't believe one would not hear that gushing sound?

melnic

I have heard of this happening before. I thought it was on this forum.

FOODCHAIN

You wasted 60 gallons of fuel yet you are worried about a large water bill? Put all plugs in, plug the scuppers, get several gallons of the black jug degreaser Home Depot sells. Fill 5 gallon buckets till you have dumped about 15 in (12 would be 60 gallons you know exactly how much fuel was in it so you can add that amount of water to see the level, 60 gal of water cost what <$1?) drive around town with it on the trailer pumping the brakes, drain, repeat. Put a sign on the boat that says "FOR SALE" and get on with your life on land, doing good in appreciation for a failure of Darwin's hypothesis.

NC_Native

Why is that? I thought bilge pumps and bilge switches were intrinsically safe, no?

mikewright007

😮 please don’t tell me you live within 100 miles of me

DarcizzleOffshore

You think it's safe to submerge an electric water pump and switch into gasoline and start pumping???

EpicWakeJump

This is a story I’ve read about countless times. And those are just the ones that get posted! Imagine how many people DON’T post!

Remember, it’s the gas fumes that go boom! And they will take you along with them!

Most of the time, the fire department is called to get the gas out. Do NOT close any access to that bilge, if fumes build up, you will go meet Neptune, real soon.

All good advise here I suppose. And DON’T let fumes build up!

Oy vey!

rocksandblues

Glad Darwin was asleep that day
not