Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-24-2016, 04:33 PM   #1
Newbie
 
City: Skagway, AK
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2
fuel tank starboard side .

1981 island gypsy leaking tank it is on the upper end of the tank any body got any idea s other than pulling the whole boat apart .
Mary L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2016, 06:34 PM   #2
Guru
 
Giggitoni's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo, California
Vessel Name: Mahalo Moi
Vessel Model: 1986 Grand Banks 42 Classic
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,093
Is your tank full?
__________________
Ray
"Mahalo Moi"
1986 GB-42 Classic
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ
Giggitoni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2016, 07:28 PM   #3
Guru
 
hmason's Avatar
 
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
You might try sealing the leak with JB Weld.
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
hmason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2017, 11:55 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
City: Houston
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 333
Some years ago I ended up with a 1976 Yamaha DT 250 motorcycle. The tank had been left with old fuel , and condensation had corroded a few pin holes. Classic bike with a 70's (orange/white) paint scheme, so finding a replacement would have been a challenge.

I found a product online made specifically to re-coat the inside of the tank - 10 years and it's still fine. But obviously that was a small tank that I could remove. Still, if you do a Search online you'll see several products that first seal the leak(s) with epoxy then coat the inside. The tank would have to be emptied to do that and you'd need access to the inside. So an outside epoxy job (i.e: JB Weld per hmason) would be a lot easier if the leak's above the fuel level, and not widespread.

One of two things is probably true: (a) your 36 year-old tank corroded in a small area due to a saltwater drip of some kind, such as the prop shaft slinging a tiny bit of water at it, or maybe a deck leak, or (b) it's corroded all over from inside and this is the first sign of a wider problem...potentially on both sides of the boat.
(I realize that's not encouraging - sorry.)

I don't know IG's but best case is smearing sealer on it, and usually worst case is cutting it out and replacing with several smaller tandem tanks. A more permanent - albeit more expensive - fix. But fuel = blood. You don't want to lose much.

It occurs to me that intentionally pumping out a tank full of fuel takes forever, while traveling by boat makes the fuel disappear way too fast!
CDreamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2017, 12:04 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
City: Houston
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 333
Actually, for people maybe fuel equals water, and oil equals blood.
CDreamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2017, 12:28 PM   #6
Guru
 
motion30's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,181
I am dealing with a similar situation currently. If you're looking inside the tank it look impossible to clean enough to seal so Monday I took a Sawzall and remove existing tank. Plan to place with a fiberglass tank partially built in place
motion30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2017, 02:38 PM   #7
Veteran Member
 
City: Portsmouth
Vessel Name: TWILIGHT TIME
Vessel Model: SENATOR SUNDECK
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
my boat is currently on the hard. It had a fuel tank leak,i considered the epoxy option but that meant cutting additional inspection holes for viewing and cleaning ( baffels in tank prevented access to the tank ends). Long term cure for me is putting in poly tanks. According to the yard cost would be comparable NOT CHEAP!!!.
Twilight time is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2017, 02:52 PM   #8
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,681
Quote:
Originally Posted by motion30 View Post
I am dealing with a similar situation currently. If you're looking inside the tank it look impossible to clean enough to seal so Monday I took a Sawzall and remove existing tank. Plan to place with a fiberglass tank partially built in place
Bummer. I feel your pain. Are loosing tank capacity? How are you going to build the tanks? Any info would be great.
Larry M is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2017, 03:37 PM   #9
Veteran Member
 
City: Portsmouth
Vessel Name: TWILIGHT TIME
Vessel Model: SENATOR SUNDECK
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
i ordered the tanks thru Moller they make fuel tank i will end up loosing 100 gal currently haveor had 150 gal each side. I am going down to two 51 gal tanks. Ocean Marine in Portsmouth is doing the work. give me a call if you have other questions Gene
Twilight time is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2017, 05:03 PM   #10
Guru
 
motion30's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,181
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry M View Post
Bummer. I feel your pain. Are loosing tank capacity? How are you going to build the tanks? Any info would be great.
I plan to built the new tank the same size over a male mold
Then I plan to cut it in three pieces , and then glass each piece together in the boat. As i go I will have to cut a large access panel in the back of the tank to Glass the final piece. What no big deal to Glass that back in place.
Hardest part is it is out the board of the motor in the twin-engine boat and I do not fold and bend as easy as I used to
motion30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2017, 06:20 PM   #11
Guru
 
BruceK's Avatar
 
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,329
Mary L, a leak "on the upper end" of the tank is a little unclear, do you mean on the top of the tank? Maybe the filler tube attachment to the tank? Pics or more information would help.
A leak at the top is better than a leak at the bottom.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
BruceK is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012