West Marine sells fuel detectors for gasoline powered boats. We have one
on our inboard gas sailboat.

These things even have a cutoff option. So, install one in the engine
compartment, and connect it to your fuel pump (assuming fuel injection).
If fumes are detected, it shuts down your fuel pump.

$100 on sale.

I don't have one in our Vanagons, 'cause both are biodiesel. Just try to
get biodiesel to burn!!!

;)
Jon

On Fri, 3 Mar 2006, John Brush wrote:

> Still waiting for the more highly motivated and skilled among us to come up
> with a detector that would mount in the engine compartment, or on underside
> of the rear deck lid, that would monitor for flames, or an unusual increase
> in  heat output.
>
> Obviously, the fuel needs to be cut off, and the occupants notified  as soon
> as possible. By the time one sees the flames through the deck, or out the
> bottom, its probably too late.
>
> I know it could be done. Exactly how, is up for debate :-)
>
> John
>