Diesel leak through hull?

[Billyo]

Hi all

I'm just looking at a boat to purchase and on first viewing discovered that the bilge is currently full of diesel. Obviously this puts a slight spanner in the works but potentially, depending on what has let go, not a deal breaker.

However looking at the outside of the hull, two of the low sea cocks are surrounded by a dark stain, with some beads of moisture which looks like condensation (doesn't sell like diesel). So I'm wondering, can diesel penetrate fibreglass like this, and if so how much damage will it do and what are the repair options? As in is it likely that the are can a just be ground out and repaired or would the whole area have to be cut out and then built up from scratch?

If someone could let me how to do it I can post a photo of the area.

Tia

 

[VicS]

Hi all

I'm just looking at a boat to purchase and on first viewing discovered that the bilge is currently full of diesel. Obviously this puts a slight spanner in the works but potentially, depending on what has let go, not a deal breaker.

However looking at the outside of the hull, two of the low sea cocks are surrounded by a dark stain, with some beads of moisture which looks like condensation (doesn't sell like diesel). So I'm wondering, can diesel penetrate fibreglass like this, and if so how much damage will it do and what are the repair options? As in is it likely that the are can a just be ground out and repaired or would the whole area have to be cut out and then built up from scratch?

If someone could let me how to do it I can post a photo of the area.

Tia

Just seeping through the seacock to hull joint most likely. Diesel seeps through the tiniest of gaps and because it does not evaporate like water becomes very visible.

Remove and refit ... even that may not be necessary

Us e the "insert image " icon on the toolbar to upload a picture from your computer and display it as a clickable thumbnail

Investigate the source of the diesel Leaking tanks can be difficult to replace!

 

[Spyro]

I wouldn't worry too much about the leaks but more about the smell. It gets in to everything. And is very hard to remove.

 

[Billyo]

That doesn't sound too bad, but when you say the smell gets into everything, is that just what tjw diesel touches, or also all the fabrics too?

The tanks were replaced one steel (with a site gauge showing half full) and one alu in 2004 so unlikely to have gone already, but if the leak can't be found then it will require full surgery to get to them so will walk away at that point!

Found the upload button but can't get my phone to obey so will try from my tablet later.

 

[Billyo]

And here's a photo.

 

[Spyro]

That doesn't sound too bad, but when you say the smell gets into everything, is that just what tjw diesel touches, or also all the fabrics too?

The tanks were replaced one steel (with a site gauge showing half full) and one alu in 2004 so unlikely to have gone already, but if the leak can't be found then it will require full surgery to get to them so will walk away at that point!

Found the upload button but can't get my phone to obey so will try from my tablet later.

Fabrics are the worst, it just gets into the air and taints everything. It can even get into woodwork without actual contact.

 

[duncan99210]

Diesel smell seems to permeate everything when there's a little bit of the stuff to keep making the stink. Enough of it and you will find fabrics take on a distinct niff just from the surrounding air. However, once the diesel spill has been cleaned up, airing or washing the offending fabrics will remove the pong.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I had this problem when I bought my boat several years ago. I knew about the diesel leak, the bilges were covered in it - I offered a silly price and got the boat! My first job was replacing the leaking fuel tank, replacing all woodwork in the bilges which were contaminated, scrubbed the bilges with hot Bilgex etc etc. Took about 3 yrs for the smell to go. Make a low offer on the boat but be prepared to take some time to clear up and get rid of the smell.

 

[lw395]

The vapour which smells gets into everything.
Upholstery foam is one of the worst things.
Also any wooden parts in contact will smell for a very long time.
You've seen how it penetrates joints.
It will be into e.g. bulkheads and stringers in the hull.

It's going to be many hours of unpleasant exposure to what is at the end of the day a fairly nasty substance. Possible health effects.

As others have said, even then the smell can linger for years. The smell is often said to make seasickness worse for some people. It puts people off coming on your boat.
Maybe it's survivable if you were aiming for the pipe-smoking and oil-lamps nostalgia of old men's sailing, but if you were hoping your wife might sail.....