Fiberglassing fuel tank

[jscuba58]

Hi folks,
First,I'm a new member and would like to say hi to everyone....My question....I recently smelled gas fumes coming from the bilge,after ripping out my galley,head and flooring to gain access to the tank(wow,what a job!) Anyway,I pulled the tank to find it badly corroded and a few small holes maybe the diameter of a pen. I researched the web looking for a place to make a new tank...what I found were some very high prices! I was quoted for one place $2900. I made some calls and the best price I got was $1370...While a lot better than $2900 I still can't really afford this! A friend had suggested filling the holes and pitted areas with Marine-Tex and then Fiberglassing the whole tank. Has anyone out there ever done this? If so how did it come...Is it safe to do this? Would the fiberglass soak up gas if the tank leaked again? All and All what are the Pros and Cons of this job????
Any help and/or suggestions Please!
Jscuba58

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[Freebee]

I dont think fibreglassing will make an effective repair that you can rely on. Its best just to bite the bullet and replace, although expensive, if your proposed patch up fails you will end up doing it anyway. If you do patch the corrosion in the tank it will only get worse and end up polluting your fuel system with rust flakes.

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[neil_s]

Petrol is dangerous stuff on a boat. Tanks can be made of GRP, but I agree with Mike, I don't think you could trust a GRP repair made to a steel tank. I don't know what sort of boat you've got, or how much fuel you need to carry, but could you get by with an outboard motor fuel tank, or even two? They are handy, because you can put them wherever you want, they are easily obtainable and nowadays are made of plastic, so they don't rust.

See you out there! Neil

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[BrendanS]

One of the best solutions I've seen to similar problems posted on these forums in the past, is to use a flexible liner inside your existing tank.

You'd need to be able to remove the existing fuel, and have enough access to fit the liner, and also ensure the tank isn't so corroded that it doesn't have any structural strength.

Certainly cheaper and probably easier than replacing, and more fool proof than trying to patch.

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[jscuba58]

Hi,
Thank you for your replies! I have a 31' Silverton Convertible, The tank is made of Aluminum and is 225 Gallons (very large) Has anyone done this type of repair???
JR

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[jimboaw]

You have the tank out? So why bother with a new tank or liner? I would bet that your problems are on welded seams caused by poor welding and vibration and could be solved by any good aluminum fabricator. The material itself in sheet form will not have suffered any serious corrosion from contact with petrol (Gas)

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[tr7v8]

Most radiator specialists can repair fuel tanks although because of the labour factor it isn't cheap. So I'd let them have a look.
If not I wouldn't try to repair by patching, not on a boat tank anyway.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500