David Rive
Senior Member
Sorry, but this is a YAFTT - yet another fuel tank tread. Here are the facts ...
1. Bought my 1985 OA 38 in August. It surveyed pretty well, EXCEPT there were metal grains or filings in the Racor bowls. Note they were shiny metal, not brown flakes of rust. Both the surveyor and the diesel mechanic said they were likely signs of pending tank failure, and I should replace the tanks before I found diesel in my bilge. Based on their comments I negotiated a reduction in the boat's price and closed the deal.
2. The boat is now on the hard at the shop. I have contracted with a fuel polishing service to polish the approximately 100 gallons in each tank. In speaking to the polishing guy, who does a lot of boats, he thinks I may not have to replace them. Apparently the polishing process vigorously sucks from the bottom of the tank, and cycles all the contents 10 times, eliminated any sludge, water, etc. He said that once that process is complete, one can then test the thickness of the tank walls to determine if they are sound. He said there is some tool that can do this, but he did not know its name.
So my question is ... can anyone tell me how I can test the thickness of my fuel tank walls while the tanks are 2/3 full of diesel? Is there some sort of hand held ultrasound gizmo one can rent, or a service that does this sort of thing? Any advice is most appreciated. Obviously I am trying to cut down the $10-$15k a tank replacement will cost me.
1. Bought my 1985 OA 38 in August. It surveyed pretty well, EXCEPT there were metal grains or filings in the Racor bowls. Note they were shiny metal, not brown flakes of rust. Both the surveyor and the diesel mechanic said they were likely signs of pending tank failure, and I should replace the tanks before I found diesel in my bilge. Based on their comments I negotiated a reduction in the boat's price and closed the deal.
2. The boat is now on the hard at the shop. I have contracted with a fuel polishing service to polish the approximately 100 gallons in each tank. In speaking to the polishing guy, who does a lot of boats, he thinks I may not have to replace them. Apparently the polishing process vigorously sucks from the bottom of the tank, and cycles all the contents 10 times, eliminated any sludge, water, etc. He said that once that process is complete, one can then test the thickness of the tank walls to determine if they are sound. He said there is some tool that can do this, but he did not know its name.
So my question is ... can anyone tell me how I can test the thickness of my fuel tank walls while the tanks are 2/3 full of diesel? Is there some sort of hand held ultrasound gizmo one can rent, or a service that does this sort of thing? Any advice is most appreciated. Obviously I am trying to cut down the $10-$15k a tank replacement will cost me.