Has anybody dealt with a leak in the fuel tank? I noticed diesel in the bilge and puddling of diesel around the corner of the quarterberth bed. I felt along the forward port-side edge of fuel tank--the vertical edge closest to the guage--and discovered diesel along the edge. Do I have any option that don't require taking the tank out. I think it was built in the boat anyway. Perhaps I could glass the edge or something, if there is a leak. I haven't had this problem before, and I think Im only experiencing it because I filled the tank so full that diesel overflowed into the cockpit. If I have to rebuild the fuel tank, I might just opt for not filling it so full in the future. I would appreciate any advice. Josh
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Fuel gage seal!
Is it possible that it spilled out from the fuel gage seal. You mentioned that you over filled the tank, so the level (fuel in the hose from the cockpit) would be higher than the fuel gage. It's possible that diesel fuel leaked from the gage seal. The gage is only attached by 3 of 4 screws. Richard S/V Rhapsodie 1979H37C
Is it possible that it spilled out from the fuel gage seal. You mentioned that you over filled the tank, so the level (fuel in the hose from the cockpit) would be higher than the fuel gage. It's possible that diesel fuel leaked from the gage seal. The gage is only attached by 3 of 4 screws. Richard S/V Rhapsodie 1979H37C
patching
I would say that first checking for things like the guage leaking is excellent advice. If it turns out that the tank is actually leaking, you might be able to patch it with something like west systems epoxy. I haven't done the patch from the outside, but I have on the inside. The key is to get it very clean, then glass it. The west guys suggest that you first etch it with the same acid you'd use for Awlgrip, then glass it. That acid takes an acid wash, then a neutralizer, then wash with water, then dry quickly.. It's pretty difficult in a tank. (you might be able to on the outside) They suggested as an alternative, and close to as good, that you clean it well with sandpaper, steel wool or whatever. Then wash all the residue off with acetone, then after coating it with resin, use a scotchbrite pad, working in the wet resin on the surface of the aluminum, scuff it up well to remove any oxidation that developed after you cleaned it. The oxidation that is removed by the scotchbrite, as well as the scotchbrite flakes, will be embedded in the resin and cause no harm. My patches inside have held up now for about 6 years.
I would say that first checking for things like the guage leaking is excellent advice. If it turns out that the tank is actually leaking, you might be able to patch it with something like west systems epoxy. I haven't done the patch from the outside, but I have on the inside. The key is to get it very clean, then glass it. The west guys suggest that you first etch it with the same acid you'd use for Awlgrip, then glass it. That acid takes an acid wash, then a neutralizer, then wash with water, then dry quickly.. It's pretty difficult in a tank. (you might be able to on the outside) They suggested as an alternative, and close to as good, that you clean it well with sandpaper, steel wool or whatever. Then wash all the residue off with acetone, then after coating it with resin, use a scotchbrite pad, working in the wet resin on the surface of the aluminum, scuff it up well to remove any oxidation that developed after you cleaned it. The oxidation that is removed by the scotchbrite, as well as the scotchbrite flakes, will be embedded in the resin and cause no harm. My patches inside have held up now for about 6 years.
Tank leak Josh?
It never stops does it? You should easily see a gauge leak just by looking in the opening. I would siphon the fuel out through the gauge hole and see if the leak stops. I use my oil extraction pump and then dump it into a yellow diesel can. The tank is tabbed in along the entire port top edge. Right where all the wiring runs. It would be a bear to remove but people have done it. You would only want to remove it if you were actually going to replace it. It will be just as easy to repair, if necessary, with it in the boat. This is because you would be repairing the inside of the tank, not the outside. To repair you will need a large access hole. There is a baffle in the tank and you might want two holes if the leak is aft of the baffle. Or maybe you should just cut two and glass the entire seam. I have measurements for where the holes need to be. I cut two cleanout ports in my tank. Good luck.
It never stops does it? You should easily see a gauge leak just by looking in the opening. I would siphon the fuel out through the gauge hole and see if the leak stops. I use my oil extraction pump and then dump it into a yellow diesel can. The tank is tabbed in along the entire port top edge. Right where all the wiring runs. It would be a bear to remove but people have done it. You would only want to remove it if you were actually going to replace it. It will be just as easy to repair, if necessary, with it in the boat. This is because you would be repairing the inside of the tank, not the outside. To repair you will need a large access hole. There is a baffle in the tank and you might want two holes if the leak is aft of the baffle. Or maybe you should just cut two and glass the entire seam. I have measurements for where the holes need to be. I cut two cleanout ports in my tank. Good luck.
Had a leak also
Josh, Im not familiar with your boat, but I had the same problem.. diesel in bilge and on drain alley from tank down to stuffing box drain. Turns out, my paper thin factory tank on my 95 336 sat on a fiberglass deck. On the bottom of the tank were rubber strips to raise it slightly off deck. The rubber kept moisture underneath and presto, the tank developed corrosion and a leak there. I was able to remove aft berth wall and get tank out very easily after draining (with oil changer) and unhooking lines. Ameritank (sorry dont have #) in San Diego made me a custom tank in one.. yes one day.. which was twice as thick! For 425 bones! Fit perfect and no worries now. Oh make sure you hook return and vent lines to engine up correctly or you will get to learn about bleeding your fuel system in detail... Pumping fuel overboard in the slip is.. uh.. bad Cheers Rick
Josh, Im not familiar with your boat, but I had the same problem.. diesel in bilge and on drain alley from tank down to stuffing box drain. Turns out, my paper thin factory tank on my 95 336 sat on a fiberglass deck. On the bottom of the tank were rubber strips to raise it slightly off deck. The rubber kept moisture underneath and presto, the tank developed corrosion and a leak there. I was able to remove aft berth wall and get tank out very easily after draining (with oil changer) and unhooking lines. Ameritank (sorry dont have #) in San Diego made me a custom tank in one.. yes one day.. which was twice as thick! For 425 bones! Fit perfect and no worries now. Oh make sure you hook return and vent lines to engine up correctly or you will get to learn about bleeding your fuel system in detail... Pumping fuel overboard in the slip is.. uh.. bad Cheers Rick
I think it's the guage
Thanks alot Richard, Ed, and Gene. I'm pretty sure the leak is coming from the guage. The only reason I say 'pretty sure' is that, while I know some fuel is coming out of the guage, I can't be 100% that it's not coming out of somewhere else too. It sure put alot of diesel in the bilge. Anyway, I'm going to pump some out this weekend, and clean the bilge, and then see what happens over the next week. The nice thing about a diesel leak is that it hits you like a ton of bricks when you step into the cabin, so you know if you have one. You guys can feel free to use that line, if you're ever trying to find the bright side of a diesel leak. Josh
Thanks alot Richard, Ed, and Gene. I'm pretty sure the leak is coming from the guage. The only reason I say 'pretty sure' is that, while I know some fuel is coming out of the guage, I can't be 100% that it's not coming out of somewhere else too. It sure put alot of diesel in the bilge. Anyway, I'm going to pump some out this weekend, and clean the bilge, and then see what happens over the next week. The nice thing about a diesel leak is that it hits you like a ton of bricks when you step into the cabin, so you know if you have one. You guys can feel free to use that line, if you're ever trying to find the bright side of a diesel leak. Josh
Diesel in the Bilge
The "O" ring on the Racor filter holder caused several gallons of diesel to leak into the bilge of my boat a number of years ago. Getting rid of the diesel and smell was a chore. I removed as much as possible. Used lots of bilge cleaner. Swabbed with a toilet bowl brush to get into the hidden spots. Always left some water and soap in the bilges when I was away from the boat. Used Bilge Hawgs to soak up the fuel. Finally, resorted to a rented commercial steam cleaner and industrial strength degreaser to really clean the bilges. Really did a good job. Had to pay for the disposal of the water. But, the steam cleaning did use as much water as a pressure washer or garden hose. Never hurts to leave a few drops of vanilla extract to help with the smell. Also, air out the boat as often and as much as possible. Had to replace the foam cushions and covers to get rid of the smell. Foam ruber seems to soak up the diesel smell and hold it forever. Good luck. Lamar
The "O" ring on the Racor filter holder caused several gallons of diesel to leak into the bilge of my boat a number of years ago. Getting rid of the diesel and smell was a chore. I removed as much as possible. Used lots of bilge cleaner. Swabbed with a toilet bowl brush to get into the hidden spots. Always left some water and soap in the bilges when I was away from the boat. Used Bilge Hawgs to soak up the fuel. Finally, resorted to a rented commercial steam cleaner and industrial strength degreaser to really clean the bilges. Really did a good job. Had to pay for the disposal of the water. But, the steam cleaning did use as much water as a pressure washer or garden hose. Never hurts to leave a few drops of vanilla extract to help with the smell. Also, air out the boat as often and as much as possible. Had to replace the foam cushions and covers to get rid of the smell. Foam ruber seems to soak up the diesel smell and hold it forever. Good luck. Lamar
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