Last weekend as we were leaving the lake, I had the fuel topped off. I now realize they took me too seriously and literally filled the tank to the top of the fill hose. This week I saw the stains created by fuel running out the vent fitting on the fantail. I also notice a very pungent fuel odor throughout the boat. Closer examination has revealed leakage into the aft section of the quarter berth soaking the aft-most cushion and the ends of the two long cushions. I believe the fill hose is probably original equipment and could be deteriorated to the point of leaking. I am having that possibility checked but, meanwhile, does anyone know of any other way overfilling the tank could have produced the internal leaking?
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On my...
'87, 28.5, the fuel tank vent itself leaked from where it was screwed into the top of the tank. You might also look at where the line attached to the vent is clamped, it will leak down the side of the tank and into the bilge and other places under the liner. Just my experience!
'87, 28.5, the fuel tank vent itself leaked from where it was screwed into the top of the tank. You might also look at where the line attached to the vent is clamped, it will leak down the side of the tank and into the bilge and other places under the liner. Just my experience!
nothing lasts forever
especially hoses and hose clamps. either the hose is leaking or the clamp let go or both. coukd be the vent hose leaking.
especially hoses and hose clamps. either the hose is leaking or the clamp let go or both. coukd be the vent hose leaking.
Fuel sending unit
My bet would be the problem is somewhere's along the fuel tank's vent line. I had a problem where the fuel guage sending unit is screwed into the tank. The gasket was old, and I discovered, the manufacturer had covered a square hole in the tank with a round sending unit, depending on an overly large gasket to compensate. This caused fuel to spill over the top of the tank, run down the inside of the transom, then laterally to the port side quarter berth, exactly where you say you found the excess fuel. The shelf - for lack of a better term - upon which the quarterberth cushions rest, continues along the transom to the starboard side. Thus fuel that spils in the back on the starboard side will run over to where the cushions are on the port side.
My bet would be the problem is somewhere's along the fuel tank's vent line. I had a problem where the fuel guage sending unit is screwed into the tank. The gasket was old, and I discovered, the manufacturer had covered a square hole in the tank with a round sending unit, depending on an overly large gasket to compensate. This caused fuel to spill over the top of the tank, run down the inside of the transom, then laterally to the port side quarter berth, exactly where you say you found the excess fuel. The shelf - for lack of a better term - upon which the quarterberth cushions rest, continues along the transom to the starboard side. Thus fuel that spils in the back on the starboard side will run over to where the cushions are on the port side.
Same here last year...
... I found both vent and fill hose loose at tank. Removed hoses and applied silicon to inside hoses the double clamp. That stop the leak but the problem was getting the diesel out of the foam rubber. Took all winter of repeated washing in the bathtub. Still got a little smell left. Going to pickup new foam this winter layover.
... I found both vent and fill hose loose at tank. Removed hoses and applied silicon to inside hoses the double clamp. That stop the leak but the problem was getting the diesel out of the foam rubber. Took all winter of repeated washing in the bathtub. Still got a little smell left. Going to pickup new foam this winter layover.
The vent line and fittings ....
....need to be tight, of course. Diesel fuel will leak from anywhere that it gets a chance. Disconnect the vent line right at the fuel tank and plug the line. Then put a shop vac in reverse and blow it into the hull vent while spraying soapy water over all the connections. The bubbles that form will tell you where the leaks are. After you fix the leaks I would suggest you install a Fuel Whistle in your vent line. This will prevent over filling and spilling forever.
....need to be tight, of course. Diesel fuel will leak from anywhere that it gets a chance. Disconnect the vent line right at the fuel tank and plug the line. Then put a shop vac in reverse and blow it into the hull vent while spraying soapy water over all the connections. The bubbles that form will tell you where the leaks are. After you fix the leaks I would suggest you install a Fuel Whistle in your vent line. This will prevent over filling and spilling forever.
Fuel whistle
A fuel whistle. Now that's and Idea I like. I didn't know they made them for boats. Are they an easy item to find in boat stores such as West Marine?
A fuel whistle. Now that's and Idea I like. I didn't know they made them for boats. Are they an easy item to find in boat stores such as West Marine?
I don't want to start....
...a big controversy as was done on the 'Ask All Sailors' forum. I have been working on this project for over a year. I am the only manufacturer of them. Check out the website. If you have any questions, email me, I will be happy to answer any.
...a big controversy as was done on the 'Ask All Sailors' forum. I have been working on this project for over a year. I am the only manufacturer of them. Check out the website. If you have any questions, email me, I will be happy to answer any.
Whistles on HOW
Alan - Any thought on making the whistle available through the chandlery here? That way any "advertising" benefits both you and Phil? T J
Alan - Any thought on making the whistle available through the chandlery here? That way any "advertising" benefits both you and Phil? T J
TJ
YES! That's exactly what I did. Phil has emailed me and we are in the process of making them available in the 'Chandlery'. I sure hope that this puts to bed all the naysayers on the 'Ask All Sailors' forum. Also, I have a friend who is involved in local politics and he is working on an idea to mandate such a device for all boaters. I'm not sure how well this will be received, but my feeling is that anything that helps mother nature is a good idea.
YES! That's exactly what I did. Phil has emailed me and we are in the process of making them available in the 'Chandlery'. I sure hope that this puts to bed all the naysayers on the 'Ask All Sailors' forum. Also, I have a friend who is involved in local politics and he is working on an idea to mandate such a device for all boaters. I'm not sure how well this will be received, but my feeling is that anything that helps mother nature is a good idea.
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