Gas can leaks

[wally.wilson]

Hi Folks,

I have a Ranger 22 and the 3 gallon plastic gas tank resides on the deck at the back against the stern. It's exposed to the Sun and has a seeping leak that I think is from the Sun heating it and swelling the air/gas inside. The leak seems to be around the filler cap.

I'm looking for suggestions here. Don't want to put it inside, am thinking of covering it with a white canvas tarp when I'm gone.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Wally

 

[MrBee]

If you have a leaking GAS can DON'T put it inside. Were is the leak ? Is the plastic cracked or is the cap or vent or fuel hose leaking ?
If it's the cap and because the gas is expanding when the sun heats it then you need to keep the vent open so it won't swell as it gets warm. A friend of mine with an outboard and tank like you have keeps his in the port cockpit locker and installed a vent in the transom. made a vent in the tank with a line that runs to the overboard vent then keeps the cap vent closed.
i have seen a few folks build a compartment at the aft end of the cockpit, just under the tiller, to keep the tank in. Makes a nice cup holder and keeps the sun off the tank itself. The only way to stop the tank from expanding is to keep the vent open or keep it in a cool place.

Brian

 

[Jalepeno]

First check your plastic tank for leaks below fuel level. Then make sure to keep the tank vent open or the internal pressure due to heat expansion from the sun will either find/make a leak in your hose connections or overflow the motor carburetor float. I bought a Hunter 23 with an outboard in 1997 and for the first summer I thought someone was stealing my fuel, as the tank was always empty when I come to the boat. Even in our wet west coast weather, five gallons would disappear (leak & evaporate) in about two to three weeks.

 

[Ross]

First of all don't fill the can completely full. 75-80 percent maximum. If the leak is not at the cap but elsewhere in the can don't use the can at all. Covering the can with a shade cloth may help but you don't want a gasoline soaked rag near the can either.

 

[sailingdog]

I would highly recommend replacing the gas tank and making a protective sun cover for the new one. Leaking gas cans are too much of a hazard to risk keeping around IMHO.

 

[Benny]

One way to keep the tank from pressurizing is to leave the cap vent partially open. As gas fumes are heavier than air I would not leave the tank inside an enclosed cockpit. If there are doubts about the integrity of the current tank just trash it and get a new one. You can make it cooler by painting it white or using some reflective paint. There are some plastic bonding paints in the market but degrease the can thoroughly.

 

[Big Windy]

Buy a new can, don't top it off, vent it, keep it covered, don't put it inside.

 

[Sumner]

We have been using ones that have spouts that look like this...

http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/0535674

and similar to this.....

http://www.stylintrucks.com/part.as...yid=21931&partid=748386&x=120368&scid=FROOGLE

and neither one leaks a drop. I like the one right above since you rotate the spout and turn the container upside down and no gas comes out until you put the spout into the tank you are filling and press down on that part on the side of the spout that slides.

The down side to these is the spouts make the tanks more awkward to store. This spring I'm going to install a permanent inboard tank in the lazarette and do away with all of these except for maybe one to fill the generator tank with.

c ya,

Sum

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[wally.wilson]

Thank you all for the great advice!