200+ Litres of fuel in bilge

[Lochlomond]

I think you may have the answer Stelican, fuel cocks were open (lesson learned doh), tank area is dry.

Starboard filter drain tap was knocked I think, obviously it normally sits horizontal but I noticed it was slightly out of line, if normal is pointing 3/9 o'clock then it was between this and 2/8 o'clock, just slightly out of line.

You talk about syphoning, how does this work and where would the fuel have come out from? Or are we saying simply this drain tap being open is basically where it has drained from?

Flowerpower
Drain tap on bottom of primary filter has been knocked open

 

[Momac]

I think you may have the answer Stelican, fuel cocks were open (lesson learned doh), tank area is dry.

Starboard filter drain tap was knocked I think, obviously it normally sits horizontal but I noticed it was slightly out of line, if normal is pointing 3/9 o'clock then it was between this and 2/8 o'clock, just slightly out of line.

You talk about syphoning, how does this work and where would the fuel have come out from? Or are we saying simply this drain tap being open is basically where it has drained from?

Sounds like it is a filter with a glass bowl? If so is the glass bowl empty?
Is there no trace of diesel on the outside of the bowl?

 

[Andrew38]

Just taking the thread in a slightly different direction....

We had a similar amount of diesel in the bilges on our boat and the biggest issue was getting the smell out of the boat. The diesel got hung up in many different little nooks and crannies in the bilges and took 3 goes to get it reasonably clear. Finally it was hung in the cradle with the stern well down for 3 hours to get the last of the cleaner/water/fuel mix out of the boat. She then had a full interior valet clean of the interior and all clothes, bedding etc washed and cleaned. Finally we used cat litter to absorb the final remnants in hidden cupboards and spaces. We then used anti-cat pee spray to kill the smell. Took 2 seasons but is totally clear now.

Also in our boat there were bags of weights placed (hidden) in the bilges (under the starboard fuel tank in our case) that were used by the manufacturer, on finishing the build, to balance the boat. These bags were totally inundated and needed replacing or would have held the smell for a long, long time.

My costs were paid under warranty but my insurers told me that they would have paid the costs.

The purpose of relating my experience is to try and advise you that it may be a bigger job than you think to clear the long term effects and that if you haven't made an insurance claim you may want to consider it.

 

[simonfraser]

glad it was not petrol .....

 

[Portofino]

Just taking the thread in a slightly different direction....

We had a similar amount of diesel in the bilges on our boat and the biggest issue was getting the smell out of the boat. The diesel got hung up in many different little nooks and crannies in the bilges and took 3 goes to get it reasonably clear. Finally it was hung in the cradle with the stern well down for 3 hours to get the last of the cleaner/water/fuel mix out of the boat. She then had a full interior valet clean of the interior and all clothes, bedding etc washed and cleaned. Finally we used cat litter to absorb the final remnants in hidden cupboards and spaces. We then used anti-cat pee spray to kill the smell. Took 2 seasons but is totally clear now.

Also in our boat there were bags of weights placed (hidden) in the bilges (under the starboard fuel tank in our case) that were used by the manufacturer, on finishing the build, to balance the boat. These bags were totally inundated and needed replacing or would have held the smell for a long, long time.

My costs were paid under warranty but my insurers told me that they would have paid the costs.

The purpose of relating my experience is to try and advise you that it may be a bigger job than you think to clear the long term effects and that if you haven't made an insurance claim you may want to consider it.

Would you be so kind the share the diagnosis ,what caused the leak -mass spilage ?

 

[Andrew38]

Would you be so kind the share the diagnosis ,what caused the leak -mass spilage ?

The Volvo dealership in Spain had replaced both the original fuel level senders for the fuel gauges due to issues with them not reading correctly with the Beneteau factory fitted units.Somewhere along the line the hose feeding the stbd tank had been disconnected and on refuelling in Valencia most of the fuel went into to the bilges not the tank. To be fair Volvo Sweden customer service sorted out who paid but absolutely ensured that we were indemnified.