[Roger Butterfield]

Hi Everyone:

Took my 1999 Z280 out yesterday evening and opened the cabin door to find the smell of gasoline. This has never happened before.

Any suggestions as to where this might be coming from? There is a bilge right below the step when entering the cabin but I can't detect anything coming from there. Haven't had a chance to get into the engine compartment yet.

What are the possibilities?

Thanks folks,

Roger Butterfield

[ShabahZ280]

First, open all the windows and hatches, and try to air it out and see if the odor comes back. If it's been winterized and just started and run for the first time, gas odor is pretty common.

Then if it comes back, try and see if you can get access to your tank, make sure the vapor vent line is still connected, I've heard of them coming unconnected on a few occasions, and this would definitely cause an odor in the cabin. Find the vent on the outside of your hull, and try and trace the hose back. It could have come unhooked at a few different points. There should be hose clamps on each joint in the hose, maybe those came loose, or maybe the hose is damaged. But that'd be the first place I'd look. Trace it all the way back to the tank, if you can!