Fuel return and breather pipes

[dur]

I have had a diesel leak into the bilge when heeled (ie every time the tide goes out quite apart from when sailing). I have discovered that the fuel return from the engine (Beta 10) consists of a piece of 6 mm copper pipe stuffed through a hole in the side of the flexible filler pipe. This filler pipe is about 5" long x 1 1/2" diameter spiral "flexible" hose. The top and the bottom of the pipe has the tail of the deck filler fitting and the fuel tank fitting leaving about 1 1/2" in the middle where the copper pokes in.

Does anyone know of a decent way of doing this that doesn't involve removal of the tank for welding?

Once this is sealed I expect I will then need a breather to the tank as well. So another hole also required and also another problem. There is only 5" space above the tank so how do I stop the fuel coming out of the top the breather when heeled? Is there a clever device to stop fuel coming out and dirt coming in?

Grateful for any thoughts.

 

[catmandoo]

How many other penetrations location and size have you in your tank ? Surely you have more than 2 ? Can you move your filler connection higher ? With only 5 inches between it and the tank when heeled will the level come to the top of the filler ?

 

[deejames]

On the assumption that you can disconnect the filler hose at one end .... Drill a hole through the middle of a bolt the same diameter as the fuel-return pipe. Drill a hole in the rubber part of the filler hose and "bolt" the bolt to it with the thread sticking outwards. (Use a couple of fibre washers to ensure a good seal). Then use a ss clip to clamp the fuel return hose to the exposed thread.
20 years on, mine is still 100% diesel-tight.

 

[boatmike]

If you can't extend a breather pipe vertically to stop spillage, use narrow bore copper pipe and extend sideways to port then double back starb'd. one side or other will then always be above the tank when heeled.

 

[dur]

Thanks for your comments...

The tank has the filler on top , an outlet for the engine and an outlet for a drain next to it. The top of the tank is flush with the bottom of the cockpit seat level and to the starboard of the engine. The 5" of filler pipe is within a seat/step against the back of the cabin bulkhead. It is not a great set up but not that easy to change without major dismantling.

 

[dur]

Thanks for these comments too...

The bolt idea is a good idea and I guess I could have the return on one side and the breather on the other - used with Boatmike's suggestion of the extended breather line. If the filler pipe were a bit longer I could cut it and insert a short length of plain pipe and solder or braze the smaller pipes into it. Sadly it is not so I'l give your ideas a go.

 

[Guest]

Can you not fit a spigot to seal the joint of the return pipe where it enters the filler pipe ?

The return pipe does not take any significant pressure and can actually be made in diesel proof plastic pipe .... eg - my old Perkins 4-99 was fitted with the return line very close to engine case ... it used to vibrate and chafe at certain revs - unbeknown to me until I filled the engine pit one day with about 10 litres .... It chafed a hole into the pipe and fuel pumped steadily into the bilge. Went to diesel engineers with the offending pipe section and they asked ... is it return or feed ? When I said P 4-99 they rightly said - Arghhhhhhh Return line .... her yer are mate .... cut it at the hole and join with this .... won't even need jubilee clips if you heat it first and firce on a good length of joint - yep - it was plastic fuel hose with a tight fit ....

Lasted 3 yrs before engine was removed - still with return line in good working order.

 

[dur]

Thanks Nigel

I am afraid cannot picture what this spigot is/looks like. Would you mind describing it for me?