I won't call it a fuel leak, because it really amounts to nothing more than a seepage that produces a thin skim in my bilge over the small amount of water my stuffing box generates, but it is annoying and I want to stop it. Not at the engine as far as I can tell and all the fuel hose from and returning to the tank is dry, as is the bottom of the fuel pump. Anyone got any ideas where I might look? The tank itself isn't likely to seem from its bottom is it?
Pesky Fuel Seepage
- Thread starter odaydokay
- Start date
- Status
What is your tank made of? If Aluminum, it may have developed a tiny, "pinhole" leak. Even a plastic tank can develop a pinhole or very tiny crack. You definitely want to fix this leak, even if Diesel fuel, (on a 28 I assume that is what you have?) Diesel is less explosive than gas, but still could bring major fines if pumped overboard with the bilgewater. Also, Diesel fuel residue is hard to remove from the fiberglass laminate and may actually "soak" in and then you never really get rid of the odor.
You can try laying some paper towels in suspicious spots under hoses and filters to see if they absorb anything. The dye in the fuel will show well that way. Also you can reach under the tank with some paper towels and see if they absorb anything as you run you hand across the surfaces there.
Good tips all. Will do. No mini BP situation here, Sunbird, as the Oilzorb handles what little fuel is collecting. Do not want to rip out a tank if it is perfectly ok, obviously.
Check that fuel tank. I had a pesky fuel leak myself. I was able to trace it back to the tank, after running my hand under the tank I felt the bottom of the tank which was wet with fuel. Its a job, but I was able to pull the tank out the cockpit locker. Took the tank to a local welder and had 3 inches cut off and a new bottom welded back on. The shorter tank made installation much easier than removal. No more fuel in the bilge.
That was most helpful indeed! I will be sure that is the issue, but it probably is if others are seeing this. Great to know I can get the tank out through the hatch as that is a really big deal. I also agree about shortening the tank as one does not need 18 gallons capacity. What did the work cost if I may ask? Also did you take out the wooden cradle and go to something synthetic that allows air to circulate (like a finger-style doormat) so as not to start a corrosion situation with the tank material? Wood picks up moisture, holds it against alu tank etc. definitely a corrosion starter.
You will need to remove the box the tank sits in apart, remove the exhaust hose, remove the wood bulkhead that separates the cockpit locker from the engine room. The tank is 18 inches high, the cockpit locker is 18 inches wide. The tank has fuel pipes that stick out so you will need to play with different angles to get it to come out but it will. (disclaimer, my boat is a 1984, yours may be different).
The welder cut the bottom 3 inches off the tank, chemical cleaned and welded a new bottom on, he also beefed up the bottom corners where it sits in the box. He charged me about $150. I called and priced a new tank from the makers of the old tank (Florida marine tank) they wanted $450 plus shipping and a couple months wait.
The box the tank sits in is just 4 sides, no bottom. There is a 1 inch strip of teak that runs around on all 4 sides that form a ledge for the the tank to sit on. the bottom sides of the box are fiberglassed to the hull, had to break the fiberglass to get the box apart.
The welder cut the bottom 3 inches off the tank, chemical cleaned and welded a new bottom on, he also beefed up the bottom corners where it sits in the box. He charged me about $150. I called and priced a new tank from the makers of the old tank (Florida marine tank) they wanted $450 plus shipping and a couple months wait.
The box the tank sits in is just 4 sides, no bottom. There is a 1 inch strip of teak that runs around on all 4 sides that form a ledge for the the tank to sit on. the bottom sides of the box are fiberglassed to the hull, had to break the fiberglass to get the box apart.
- Status