Help for a leaky Fuel Tank?

[KE Wales]

Hello all,

Any ideas on how to patch a leaky fuel tank? Pulling the tank is not an option right now--boat is underway-- but can access a chandlery somewhere soon.

Thanks,
Karen

[DLC]

marine-tex

[S.V. Airlie]

Karen.. Can you see the leak..? Is is a connection.. is it a puncture...
Both may be given a quick patch that will last for a few days but both require different approaches.
Can you be more specific..?

even type of fuel.. I'm guessing deisel... but even that may make a difference as to how to approach the issue. Oh and what is the tank made of?
I mayu not know the answer when all the facts are in but with a little informatiuon, I would be very surprised if someone here doesn't.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

What kind of fuel?????

If it's gasoline then the problem demands all of you attention NOW.

[Canoeyawl]

If it’s Gasoline, Ivory soap will work…

[S.V. Airlie]

P.I.. I wasn't going to raise flags before a response as I was not sure of the fuel. Hence, I was waiting and if Karen had come back with a gas leak, I would have jumped on it ( in a nice way and probably by pm )
I just wanted more info...

[Jay Greer]

Tough to do underway. If the tank can be removed, it can be slushed with a rubber sealant. Check with marine tank builders.
Jay

[KE Wales]

Trying to contact crew.
Should be able to get through soon.
I think it's diesel but will check for sure.

What does ivory soap do?
What does marine tex do?

Thanks for advice.
Karen

[KE Wales]

It is diesel.
They are heading in. They'll empty the tanks, do pressure testing, and hopefully, will be able to continue later in the week or early next. If the tanks need to come out, they're in a bit of trouble because they are far from home...still, not as much trouble as a burning boat at sea would be.
(Nothing like a little negative happiness to get one through the day).
Thanks again for all the help.

Karen

[KE Wales]

Tanks are steel.

[rbgarr]

Karen,

My wife's uncle was a lobsterman and he sealed the bottom seam of his old Evinrude pressurized gas can for his outboard when it rusted and leaked. Never had any trouble after that, but it was an open boat, etc. It really should only be a temporary patch. Good luck.

Here's the Marine Tex website. You can see it's intended for use on tanks and piping. http://tinyurl.com/56upn

[Canoeyawl]

A bar of ordinary hand soap rubbed externally onto a leaking gasoline tank will coagulate and form a temporary but effective patch.
This is an old motorcycle trick and I know that it works… It works very well.
It is rumored that it will work on diesel leaks as well, but I cannot confirm it.
But it would be worth a try, it’s easy.

[few3]

JB Weld

http://www.giantleaprocketry.com/images/JBWeld.jpg

[SV Papillon]

If the tank can't be pulled most of the goops will not stick unless all of the fuel oil can be cleaned off. If the leak is on a seam you may try using a mechanical patch by cleaning the area and putting a piece of rubber with some type of sealant under it, then put a piece of banding around the whole tank securing the patch.

Jake

[Nick C]

I used soap on an International gas tank for 8 months before I fixed the gas leak. The only trouble I had was I had to keep after it when it rained because the water will wear it off.

My guess is you could use it on the inside of your tank, but you better have some good filters, because the tiny bits that are loose will work their way to them.

[Emma56]

If you can see the leak press ivory soap into the hole. We used this in the Air force with jet fuel [ Very much like diesel.] CW

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

How big a leak???
Diesel will go a long way and make a foul smell with just a teaspoonfull or two.

[Rum_Pirate]

Karen,My wife's uncle was a lobsterman and he sealed the bottom seam of his old Evinrude pressurized gas can for his outboard when it rusted and leaked. pressurized gas can for his outboard ?

[py]

If its a small hole, a self tapping screw, a patch of rubber, and a washer might do it. All depends on the location. Most goop won't stick to diesel.

[Gary E]

pressurized gas can for his outboard ?


Yes, older outboards had 6 gal steel tanks thet had a built in pump to pressurize the tank then the engine kept pressure in the tank. Later models had a priming squeeze bulb in the hose to pump the fuel to the engines fuel pump. No idea what they do these days.

[Gary E]

If you have a steel tank and if the tank leaks because of rust, DO NOT PRESSURE TEST IT... you will only make it worse, maybe even to the point of not being able to fix it with any method.

PY has the right idea if it's a pin hole leak and you can actually get to it.

Another way is to get some steel or bronze wool, a rag, a quart of Acetone, and MarineTex
Skuff up the area around the leak with the steelwool or sandpaper,
Follow the instructions on mixing the MarineTex and before it gets to hard to work and about ready to setup, grab the rag and soak it with the Acetone, SOPPING DRIPPING WET, dont spare any here, the more the better.... Wash the leak with this acetone soaked rag and when the acetome evaporates, which is about the count of 3, plaster the MarineTex on and hope you get a bond. I say hope because if there is any Diesel, which is OIL, it might not stick. IF the leak is in a area where you can use a backer board or a small piece of steel to support the MarineTex then wedge it in place so it helps with pressure. Unlikely you'l have a piece if steel, so maybe you have a plate in the galley that you can fashion into a plate of sorts to help keep the MarineTex in place... hey, wege it in place with your shoe or ,, whatever ya got.

http://www.marinetex.com/PRODUCT%20PAGE_files/All%20MarineTex%20Putty/marinetex%20prod%20info.htm


And somebody is now gona pipe in with , BUT ACETONE is DANGEROUS and YOU NEED RUBBER GLOVES, and a Mask and proper ventilation.... etc etc etc.... Yeah, but ya got to do whut works, and IF you CLEAN THE METAL, this WORKS.

When you get to a place where you can replace the tank, these fellows can build a new tank and ship it to you fast...
S P Sheet Metal Co (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sptanks.com/&sa=X&oi=local&ct=authority&cd=1&usg=AFrqEzdhS-CDZ2ige8mfSsxa6kWOxtPHHA) www.sptanks.com
2907 Route 37 E, Toms River, 08753 - (732) 929-8666

http://www.sptanks.com/webdev/home.htm


But maybe you'l get lucky and find only a loose tube fitting you fixed with a wrench,
and all this typing will have been a waste of time.

[Tylerdurden]

My advice is do not pressure test the tank, If you cannot reliably repair in the field look for a portable bladder tank Military surplus.
You can fit it in a convenient spot and it will get you home.