Fuel tank repair

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caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
On the Catalina 27 I have about an 1/8’’ hole in the 12 gal steel gas tank. I looks like something got under it and wore a hole. I am having it soldered at a radiator shop.
When I removed the tank I noticed that it just rest on the gel coat on a 1½’’ x 12’’ raise supp.ort. Is that normal?
I have some ¼’’ silicone rubber. I am hesitant to use rubber to set it on because I don’t want to trap any water under it.
I am also considering applying a layer of fiberglass to the tank in that area to act as a skid.
Any thoughts or past experience as always is appreciated.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Find a foot wiping mat that has a lot of open area and use that.
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
The other concern that I have is that if it is repaired (soldered) can I coat that area with regular epoxy resin? Will fiberglass poly resin work as well? I can pipette trough the 1/2'' outlet hole.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Are you thinking to coat the repair from the inside? it isn't necessary. Coat the outside if you like. Put a blob of 3M 5200 caulk on each corner of the tank on the outside of the bottom and set it on some supports to form feet on the tank. If you set it on some wax paper it won't stick to your bench.
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
No just the spot where the repair will be. The rest of the tank is in good shape. It appears to have a light blue coating on the inside that is intact except for a quarter rust spot where the holeis. That's the spot where I'd like to coat after cleaning with.acid to prevent future rust.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Use a phorsphoric acid based cleaner. It converts the oxides to phosphates.
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
I took it to the radiator shop and he seem to think that soldering a patch on the outside was enough. When I asked him about the rust spot on the inside he said not to worry about it, and that the oil in the gas will keep it from rusting further. When he is done I will probably clean and put some resin on it anyway.
Ross, what kind of cleaner is phosphoric acid based? Everything I read on the internet suggest muriatic acid for cleaning followed by a rinse.
 
RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Suggest that you do a complete metal repair by a qualified welder, such a welder will be certified as a 'ASME code' welder.

This is NOT a gasoline tank on an automobile or truck when the repair eventually fails, the gasoline merely 'dumps' onto the street. 'Patches' behave quite differently vs. corrosion as once moisture/corrosion propagates BEHIND the patch and on top of the base metal, corrosion can be quite fast and unusual. Proper way to repair this is to totally cut out the 'worn spot' and do a 'full penetration weld' repair when putting in the 'new' segment - no gaps, no laps, no blind spots, no 'patches'.
Gasoline in a bilge can go BOOM - do it the RIGHT way.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Have you thought about replacing the tank with a poly tank? Catalina may also sell them. Then you can possibly place the tank on some silicone pads or possibly remove the spot that cause the abrasion.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...ic_12_Gallon_Fuel_Tank&aID=601R1&merchID=4006

You can also use your silicone on the existing metal tank by cutting strips to set you tank on. It does not need support under the entire tank.

PS: The oil in the gas is not going to prevent any corrosion. Water sinks to the bottom and the oil/gas float on the water.
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Steve Dion said:
Have you thought about replacing the tank with a poly tank? Catalina may also sell them. Then you can possibly place the tank on some silicone pads or possibly remove the spot that cause the abrasion.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...ic_12_Gallon_Fuel_Tank&aID=601R1&merchID=4006
Click to expand
Can that tank be used under deck? I have no problem but will the Coast Gaurd approve?
Part of the decision was the cost of a new tank and fittings, another was the hassle of replumbing, and then scrapping a tank that that is 99% good goes against my nature.

Steve Dion said:
You can also use your silicone on the existing metal tank by cutting strips to set you tank on. It does not need support under the entire tank.

PS: The oil in the gas is not going to prevent any corrosion. Water sinks to the bottom and the oil/gas float on the water.
Click to expand
That was my feelings also. The guy who repaired the tank said not to worry about it. So trusting soul that I am I went home and rinsed it out with acetone, dried it and coated the bottom with resin. I put some dense rubber skids under the tank. I found some roofing material made of polurethane that someone gave me as a sample. I will keep a close eye on the tank and check for dampness frequently. I'm pretty sure it's going to be good for another 28 years or so.
Thanks for all of your suggestions.
 
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