Pertolproof sealer..

[wipe_out]

Hi all,

When we bought the boat we were told that the previous owner had had an access hole cut into the fuel tank in order to clean out contaminated fuel but it was all professionally done and fixed..

When I looked at what I could see of the work (it's under the aft berth floor so could only just see it from the engine bay) it looks pretty solid with stainless steel plate bolted to the plastic tank..

Photo
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0KuiZvmbiCxSDY1VTNLWlpWY1U/edit?usp=sharing

Anyway, we haven't had a problem with it until now.. I filled the tank right to the top over the weekend and now there is petrol in the bilge.. I have checked all the hoses and obvious places and they all see dry so I suspect the pressure of the full tank caused this to leak..

Plan is now to reopen the floor in the aft berth and check it and if its leaking to seal it..

Question is what options are there for sealant that is able to be immersed in petrol??

Or are there any other ideas to make sure it's a good, permanent, seal?

 

[RichardS]

I've just purchased a tube of Hylomar Blue to seal a leak on a diesel tank. I've not used it yet but it's supposed to be the right stuff for fuel tanks!

Richard

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I've had good results with a gasket made from a cork tile.

 

[coopec]

Petrol in the Bilge!:nightmare:

I wouldn't mess around with a leaking petrol tank : diesel tank maybe.

Pull it out and inspect the magnitude of the problem. Maybe take it to a motor cycle repairer who has had experience in welding plastic tanks.

If you are not careful you'll end up in orbit.

 

[wipe_out]

Fortunately the boat is out of the water at the moment.. I filled the tank in preparation for going back in so just as well the problem surfaced now..

Unfortunately there is no way to get the tank out.. Even if I removed the engine I don't think it would come out..

Have found these products that look interesting..

http://www.lasaero.com/site/products/article?id=D02VK9NTH

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eclectic-Seal-All-Gas-Oil-Resistant-Adhesive/dp/B001U7EJVS

Will wait to hear from the engineer today and will go have a look tomorrow morning..

 

[coopec]

The way I look at it a leak in a car or motor cycle tank probably isn't life threatening as the petrol would evaporate within seconds of hitting the ground. But in a boat the petrol fumes fill the bilge and if ignited you could of course lose your life and/or boat. It is not a cure but I hope you have a bilge blower installed

Thread: Perils of petrol fumes in the bilge - Yachting and Boating ...
www.ybw.com › Forum › Forum › Motor Boat Forum‎
Aug 7, 2007 - 4 posts - ‎4 authors
I thought I would post this note as a reminder to everyone with petrol on their boats to please be very vigilant about fumes in the bilge - they do

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?132346-Perils-of-petrol-fumes-in-the-bilge

 

[rob2]

Obviously this needs to be addressed urgently. In fact, the most important thing is to get the fuel off your boat and the tank vented to remove all petrol fumes and attendant risk of explosion (let alone fire). If you can't get at the tank, no repair is likely to restore your full confidence in its safety. I'd advise you to consider the problem from a very broad perspective - it may be more efficient and cost effective to start with the assumption that a new tank and location may be better.

Incidentally, in removing fumes, the tank can be flushed with water and detergent. It used to be common to fill a metal tank with dry sand to allow pin holes to be brazed over - I doubt anyone would be willing to do this now, although it does remove the risk of explosion, but not fire.

Rob.