Through long inspection and process of elimination, we believe the glassed-in diesel tank on our 1986 H28.5 leaks. Review of prior posts indicates draining of present tank and installation of new tank is more cost effective than removal/replacement. My question, does one just strap a similar size (11 gal) tank over the top of the old one? Or, does one attempt to re-organize the aft end of the starboard locker, moving the water heater (which is original also and may need service sooner than the replacement fuel tank)? A follow-up, what is the preferred tank material - Aluminum or poly-whatever? Thanks Bob G.
Replacement Fuel Tank position
- Thread starter beegee
- Start date
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
S
Steve O.
fuel tank
I would cut out the top deck of the existing tank and drop the new plastic tank into the hole.
I would cut out the top deck of the existing tank and drop the new plastic tank into the hole.
Re: Tank
Hunter must have changed the tank configuration on starting with the 87 year. Mine has a separate removable tank that sits in a cutout in the floor of the locker. Maybe the new tank is the correct size to fit in the same space if you cut the top out of the existing one. It would make sense in that Hunter wouldn't have to make much of a change in the molds. I would call Hunter and ask them if the 87 tank will fit inside the integral tank on the 86. If you like, I can also measure mine for you. Dave
Hunter must have changed the tank configuration on starting with the 87 year. Mine has a separate removable tank that sits in a cutout in the floor of the locker. Maybe the new tank is the correct size to fit in the same space if you cut the top out of the existing one. It would make sense in that Hunter wouldn't have to make much of a change in the molds. I would call Hunter and ask them if the 87 tank will fit inside the integral tank on the 86. If you like, I can also measure mine for you. Dave
G
Gary
This is what I did.....
in my H31. The 18 (I think) gallon tank was full of slime when I bought it, so I installed a 6 gallon portable tank just like the ones used for a gasoline outboard. Plumbed it in and it works great! No longer do I worry about the condition of the diesel fuel from sitting in there for months or years. I treat it with additive and it is used up every few months. If I go on a cruise, I fill two 5 gallon containers and use a siphon pump to transfer it to the tank when necessary. According to Nigel Calder, one of the most common problems with diesels is contamination of fuel. I would never go back to the large tank, in fact, I plan to saw it up and remove it which will provide more space. Good luck.....Gary
in my H31. The 18 (I think) gallon tank was full of slime when I bought it, so I installed a 6 gallon portable tank just like the ones used for a gasoline outboard. Plumbed it in and it works great! No longer do I worry about the condition of the diesel fuel from sitting in there for months or years. I treat it with additive and it is used up every few months. If I go on a cruise, I fill two 5 gallon containers and use a siphon pump to transfer it to the tank when necessary. According to Nigel Calder, one of the most common problems with diesels is contamination of fuel. I would never go back to the large tank, in fact, I plan to saw it up and remove it which will provide more space. Good luck.....Gary
The word from Hunter
I contacted Hunter, who reported that the "tank" is simply a tub of fiberglass molded into the pan which comprises the floor of the lazarette on top of which is glued/glassed the black plastic top with fittings. My yard mechanic confirms that this is typical of production boats, like Hunters. Hunter also cautioned that the tub is not a regular shape - the bottom in tapered downward toward the keel to obtain maximum volume and the sides are tapered outward at the top to promote release from the mold when the pan is glassed-up. The Hunter rep I spoke with, Don Martin (very nice) said most people cut open the top, buy a slightly smaller plastic tank to drop in, support the bottom with plywood at the deeper end of the tub and fill the sides with foam. My yard guy is recommending aluminum though. Not sure which option to take, but it's nice to know before starting the replacement project...
I contacted Hunter, who reported that the "tank" is simply a tub of fiberglass molded into the pan which comprises the floor of the lazarette on top of which is glued/glassed the black plastic top with fittings. My yard mechanic confirms that this is typical of production boats, like Hunters. Hunter also cautioned that the tub is not a regular shape - the bottom in tapered downward toward the keel to obtain maximum volume and the sides are tapered outward at the top to promote release from the mold when the pan is glassed-up. The Hunter rep I spoke with, Don Martin (very nice) said most people cut open the top, buy a slightly smaller plastic tank to drop in, support the bottom with plywood at the deeper end of the tub and fill the sides with foam. My yard guy is recommending aluminum though. Not sure which option to take, but it's nice to know before starting the replacement project...
D
Dave
Re: leak
Bob, Is there any chance that you may have missed a leak elsewhere? I know you stated that you did a lot of troubleshooting, but if may be worth another look-see to make sure the problem is not elsewhere. I assume you're getting fuel in the area between the hull and the bilge pan? Is it puddling, or are you just experiencing fuel odor with no sign of puddling? Have you tried the "talc powder test" down inside the bilge access panel (front cockpit floor)? You might even be able to look backward towards the tank with the use of a mirror and flashlight to see if there are any signs of leaking around the tank. The leaking fuel would have to go towards the engine which is relatively close to the access hatch. Just thinking out load here and am hoping you don't go through the trouble of installing a new tank if you don't really need it. Dave
Bob, Is there any chance that you may have missed a leak elsewhere? I know you stated that you did a lot of troubleshooting, but if may be worth another look-see to make sure the problem is not elsewhere. I assume you're getting fuel in the area between the hull and the bilge pan? Is it puddling, or are you just experiencing fuel odor with no sign of puddling? Have you tried the "talc powder test" down inside the bilge access panel (front cockpit floor)? You might even be able to look backward towards the tank with the use of a mirror and flashlight to see if there are any signs of leaking around the tank. The leaking fuel would have to go towards the engine which is relatively close to the access hatch. Just thinking out load here and am hoping you don't go through the trouble of installing a new tank if you don't really need it. Dave
Re: Leak (reply)
eh der Dave, thanks for the advice! (Don't get all worked up, I married a cheddar head and proudly cheer for the Badgers amongst all these ACC wackos). The diesel shows up in the main bilge under the cabin sole, with increasing volume over the past few months. Looks very clean. We took ownership in Feb. and the bilge was dry from Nov. when we started negotiating. In late March when we de-winterized, the bleeder screw leak put diesel in the pan under the engine but not the bilge. After replacing the bleeder screw, diesel in the pan decreased to none, but diesel began to appear in the bilge. We could find no leaks in the lines or fittings. This leads us to assume the leak occurs in a part of the fuel system that is below the pan (both the one in the engine compartment and in the locker), thus we suspect the "tank." Since the boat had been on the hard all last year and probably before that, we now assume the the twice weekly sailing must have stressed something in the 19-year-old fuel "tank" to cause a leak. Bob
eh der Dave, thanks for the advice! (Don't get all worked up, I married a cheddar head and proudly cheer for the Badgers amongst all these ACC wackos). The diesel shows up in the main bilge under the cabin sole, with increasing volume over the past few months. Looks very clean. We took ownership in Feb. and the bilge was dry from Nov. when we started negotiating. In late March when we de-winterized, the bleeder screw leak put diesel in the pan under the engine but not the bilge. After replacing the bleeder screw, diesel in the pan decreased to none, but diesel began to appear in the bilge. We could find no leaks in the lines or fittings. This leads us to assume the leak occurs in a part of the fuel system that is below the pan (both the one in the engine compartment and in the locker), thus we suspect the "tank." Since the boat had been on the hard all last year and probably before that, we now assume the the twice weekly sailing must have stressed something in the 19-year-old fuel "tank" to cause a leak. Bob
F
Frank
Easy to see fuel tank bottom
Hard to think the tank is the source of your leak. You can see the bottom of the tank by looking through the access on the stbd side of the prop shaft to confirm any problems with the tank. Have you checked the vent and drain on your tank filter and fuel lines to the injectors?
Hard to think the tank is the source of your leak. You can see the bottom of the tank by looking through the access on the stbd side of the prop shaft to confirm any problems with the tank. Have you checked the vent and drain on your tank filter and fuel lines to the injectors?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.