New fuel tank leaks

[Trevethan]

Just ripped out the old fuel system on our boat and had it replaced to comply with BSS,,,

Ol;d system fine no leaks, flexible hose very easy.

New system lots of shint copper, all well installed and nice new ISO compliant tank from Vetus.

The pipe work is fine, but when I filled the damn thing up with fuel, it started leaking from the inpection hatch.

I didn't notice for about 12 hours and put the dieselly smell down to installation and having the floor up exposing the bilge.

Anyway saw a slick of fluel sitting in the tray we built to support the tank and traced it to the screw cap where they presumeably blow the tank to size in the mould.

I tightened this as far as possible (It only took a quarter turn) , but still leaked. Then pumped out tank to below the cap, took it out, ptfe taped it then refitted, which seems to have done the trick, however, I think its pretty poor that you need to go through all that.

I was wondering if anywone else has had similar problems?

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[Talbot]

Who made the tank?

I had one made by Tek Tanks, and had no problems at all. However I got the inspection hatch fitted on the top of the tank to minimise any similar problem.

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[Trevethan]

This wasfrom Vetus who are generally very good.

I wanted to fit a Tek tank, but becuase they are custome made, they don't carry an ISO number so they don't comply with BSS... bloody annoying really. but that is British waterways for you..

On top of that they seem to move the goal posts every year anyway so stuff that was compulsory two years ago is now a recommendation and vice versa.

I can understand them being uptight about gas installations and petrol driven boats, but the requirements for diesel systems strikeme as way over the top.

Like wise for battteries. They have to be secure and unable to fall out if the boat capsizes -- we are 44 feet long and displace 15 tonnes, if we capsize the fate of the batteries will be the last thing on my mind!

A call to Vetus this morning helped -- they offered to replace the tank, but given the effort of fitting and trhe fact that the tape and sikaflex seem to be holding, I declined.

However they will let me have a 25 liter tank, which I want to use for my heater at half price. Of course I have to convince swmbo to let me install the thing -- diesel in the bilge is bad enough, but diesel running down inside the salon will drive her to an act of violence that I have no wish to experience!

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[Talbot]

I fitted an eberspacher last year so if there is any info you want give me a shout (saved over £500 on a professional install).

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[Trevethan]

Thanks.

The day tank is for a Dickinsons Newport, which currently uses a rather noisy pump to supply fuel to it.

The other heating on the boat is via a Webasto, which I need to fit properly.

It is also quite noisy so I want to try and soundproof the pump and re-locate the exhaust

I have to source exhaust hose, a skin fitting and some hot air ducting for it before I have a stab at it.



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[Talbot]

Biggest problem likely to be the skin fitting, but there have been a number of posts about this recently (possibly on wanted) and IIRC one providing a link to a source for the fitting.

The pump for the Eberspacher is a noisy beast as well, clicking away to itself. I have located it inside a locker to try to reduce the sound as much as possible - but at least it tells you when the system is working!

The exhaust hose length for the Eber is not more than abt 2.5m and is made of stainless steel bendy pipe, with a layer of asbestos style material over it, and then another pipe (rather like the air ducting).

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[Habebty]

I have exactly the same problem so will try the PTFE tape. The vetus people at Southampton show didn'nt really want to know.

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[brianhumber]

Why are you surprised, we are talking marine leisure industry after all - no qualitiy control, poor design and fat margins

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