Diesel tank has a leak

Don S/V ILLusion · Mar 12, 2014

Sounds like you don't want to find out at the worst possible time that it wasn't the only bad spot in the tank. Think of it as not a leak but the FIRST leak.

Don S/V ILLusion · Mar 12, 2014

Can't help with a replacement but suggest you remove the old one first to avoid surprises with the new install logistics.

dj2210 · Mar 12, 2014

PDA1, your tank may have a label with the manufacturer of the tank. You could call that company and they might have or make a replacement. That's what I did on my 1990 recently.

Jack - La Paz Mx · Mar 13, 2014

Been there, done that....welded, but not effective. CONTACT CATALINA! Picked up a new tank from Catalina, fit perfectly.

gregorybross · Mar 13, 2014

I just replaced my leaking fuel tank of about the same age. Catalina Yachts has exact replacements. Catalina Direct also has aluminum replacements but when I pulled my tank I found that the end nearest the water heater was resting on 4 stainless bolts and electrolysis caused the leak. Still waiting to hear back from Catalina Yachts about this questionable factory install. I found a XLPE (plastic) tank that is 16 gals and fits reasonably well. Let me know if you find the same problem I did.
Greg

dj2210 · Mar 13, 2014

PDA1 said:
Doug, I found a photograph of the tank I took when I made a photographic detail of the boat. 'Thought I didn't have one. It's an RDS (Perry, fla) model 51048. Oh boy...now the fun's going to be getting it out! Ugh.

Yup that is who I got mine from. They have the drawings from the model number and the new tank was exactly the same as the old and was done fairly quick. I did try to go through Catalina factory but they weren't able to come up with the same size tank for some reason.

hvbaker · Mar 13, 2014

When you noticed you had a leak, was it a slow leak and you smelled diesel in the salon or did you see diesel floating on top of bilge water or did it just let lose and you had an environmental disaster on your hands?

rogkeller · Apr 5, 2014

I had the same problem with our aluminum tank along the port seam. Removed the tank and fuel and took it to a welder who pressurize the tank and then rewelded the leaks. $100 for job.

BigPie · Apr 5, 2014

I had the same tank with a micro leak I could smell only in rough seas. I replaced the tank with a plastic tank by Tempo that holds 11 gallons. It fits in great and costs about 125. There are hold downs that can be purchased with the tank. I carry a 5 gal can on long island trips. It was a perfect solution.

fox islander · Apr 8, 2014

...after reading all these I'd go with welding & while your at it have them cut in an inspection port...my '90 MkII doesn't have one.

Anonymous 121765 · Apr 9, 2014

PDA,

I had a leak bottom center in my aluminum tank several years ago. I made a 6" x 6" access plate & took the tank to be repaired. But now, I can quickly inspect & easily clean my tank.

However, this brings up another point, mainly what caused the leak. There was a bonding wire attached to a tang on my tank top. Here we go, stray current & aluminum don't mix. The bonding wire is used to dissipate any static charge when filling the tank. On the downside, all your bonding/grounding probably passes thru your engine ground, then along the shaft & into the water. If nearby boats are running electrical systems, this can cause this stray current to enter your system and affect noble materials such as aluminum. This is called Electrolytic Corrosion.
see http://www.ask.com/question/what-is-electrolytic-corrosion.

I removed the bonding wire from my tank tang & added an alligator clip. When fueling, I attach this clip, otherwise no connection to my tank. Let me know if a bonding wire is attached & the hole/s are located center bottom of your tank.

CR

Anonymous 121765 · Apr 9, 2014

PDA,

Here's another link you may find interesting:

http://www.sailmail.com/grounds.htm

CR

jimmcgee · Apr 12, 2014

FWIW check all your hose connections to make sure they're not the source of your leak. Always check the dumb sh!t first.

Catalina Direct sells direct replacement tanks with and without inspection ports but they're not cheap

W/Inspection Port $470

Without Port $400

jimmcgee · Apr 12, 2014

captnron said:
PDA,
I removed the bonding wire from my tank tang & added an alligator clip. When fueling, I attach this clip, otherwise no connection to my tank. Let me know if a bonding wire is attached & the hole/s are located center bottom of your tank.

CR

Ron, you got me thinking. The last time I filled up at a fuel dock was my trip down the Chesapeake when we were motoring 12 hours a day - either no wind or thunderstorms on that trip.

At a 1/2 gallon an hour and 10 minutes motoring out to the bay I just top her off occasionally with a 5 gallon jug.

Drives the power boat guys on my dock crazy

Diesel tank has a leak

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