sealing steel fuel tank inspection hatch

[jambaman]

tis time to open up the fuel tanks and clean them out, and as such would appreciate any advise on the compound / sealant i should use when refitting the inspection hatches. The tanks are steel (not SS) with the inspection hatches bolted down. I have no idea what was used before but do not wish to get this wrong and contaminate the fuel nor have fuel leaking out.
Any advise most welcome.
Julian

 

[tillergirl]

I use a gasket cut out from a sheet of nitrile, firmily screwed down. Nitrile is ok with diesel: neophrene not

 

[Talbot]

mine has a cork seal.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yep Cork is the stuff.....

Whatever you do, don't use a silicon sealant..... the stuff is disastrous to fuel systems....

 

[Birdseye]

just doing exactly this at the mo. the existing gasket (which will be re-used) is cork in a sheet. this is a good traditional type of gasket for this application - I woulnt go for a sealant. even assuming that it worked, when you next get round to opening the tank, you risk getting bits of sealant dropping in.

 

[webcraft]

Just done this - put the tank back in the boat on Saturday. We cut a gasket from 3mm nitrile rubber which we got from Phil Howard at Seals + Direct

- Nick

 

[roger]

I have contacted Loctite who make a special fuel proof "mastic" which comes in cartidge suitable for the usual guns. I used it quite successfully but have forgotten the code number.
Nitrile is certainly the right material but it is very hard and is unlikely to seal over any irregularities in the surfaces IMHO

 

[Graham_Wright]

Expensive waste of material cutting from a sheet (unless the middle is useful). Seals Direct also sell strip and an adhesive. Properly glued it is nearly impossible to break the joint.

 

[rlunn]

I use product called nebar it is a rubberised cork available from Portmere Rubber company in Southampton. Sold by the square meter in various thicknesses and they will cut into sheets ,or strips. Can be reused ,no need to make new gasket each time you take off lids.Has all sorts of uses although will not act kindly if heated I suspect