is my diesel fuel tank flat on the bottom ?

[simonfraser]

there was some standing water in the bilge, not very deep.
some of it has seeped through the bulkhead under the fuel tank.

is the aluminium tank likely to be flat on the bottom, or are they shaped to the hull ?

no i cant see it, that's why am asking

 

[benchmark]

depends on your boat model and/or if it is the original tank.
To illustrate this, my diesel tank is plastic and flat at the bottom and my Engine intake is from a top fitting with a tube that goes to the bottom , contra to my dock neighbors boat which has a diesel tank with a sump extending lower than the bottom of his tank and his engine intake is from a tap at the bottom just above the sump.

A flexible telescopic7snake camera should help you answer your question, they are cheap on ebay and useful for all sorts on a boat

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WIFI-8mm-...146130&hash=item2cc1cba435:g:9acAAOSwstJZUiAV

 

[simonfraser]

interesting that the one with an intake from the lower side is V shaped
my intakes are from the top

am about to drill a hole in the top to fit a fuel supply for the D2 heater
so will get my snake camera out

 

[benchmark]

Ah! the dreaded drilling -into-tank that i am so afraid off, i dont envy you.
Remember to have the vacum cleaner nozzle on full blast as you drill to reduce the chances of debris falling into the tank :ambivalence: