Leak in Fresh water tank?

[Jim WIllis]

We had this discussion before, about chlorox eating stainless welds etc.Anyhow, I had this mysterious battery discharging and then I noticed that the show kept running out of water.I opened up the area where all the plumbing is kept (on my Gulf 32) an noticed water leaking from the water pressure pump.I though that was it and replaced with a new one from West Marine (UGH!) ,After putting the pipes back on with silicone sealant (Pegg!) I could detect no leacks. I also cannot find any other source of leak by inspection.However, there is still seepage of water into the bilge. The water is way down after a week (wish I had one of those accugages for monitoring),I think that the tank may be leaking, but to remove it I would have to wreck the entire vee bether area.I can, however access the front of the tank. Although it is glassed in, I thought I could maybe cut a large inspection hole (and then make a cover for it), drain and dry the tank and then use epoxy putty around the welded areas.An alternative might be to use hypalon/neooprene liner.Has anyone out there had experience with this problem?Help!!Jim W

 

[Dennis Thomas]

Spray in Liner

Many years ago I was restoring our old Ford tractor and had problems with rust from inside the gas tank; too many years of water in the gas. As a fix, I had the gas tank coated on the inside with a spray liner. I’m not sure now what type of “paint” was used. No new holes were cut; it was done through the filler opening. It worked fine, fixed the problem of rust in the fuel bowl and clogging the carb.As this is a water tank, the corrosion is probably also coming from the inside and such a coating might protect it from further leaks once you seal the existing ones. You will probably need to cut an inspection port, etc.Has anyone tried something like this to avoid replacing the built in tankage that is so difficult to replace on boats?Dennis s/v Anodyne

 

[Mike DiMario]

Wurth

Jim,A marina neighbor has used a one part epoxy that is specifically made for coating fuel tanks. It is sold by a company named Wurth. I copied the link for you below. Maybe they can help you out.good luck,Mike D