[C320-list] My fuel tank leaks!

[jonvez at comcast.net]

Ray,
thanks so much! On with Catalina now..they don't know what a hold down strap is! Wanted them to ship one as I noticed it was not reusable...Thanks again...

Regards,

Jon

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Ray Durand" <durand.mail at verizon.net> 

> Jon, 
> 
> Mine failed after two years! 
> 
> In my case, one of the welded seams had a tiny pin hole in it. It took me 
> weeks to find it. I share your pain. 
> 
> Looks like you already have some advice on getting the fuel out. This is 
> very important, since you need to get it all out in order to be able to move 
> the tank around to get it out. I discovered that the only way to get the 
> tank out is through the aft cabin access opening. You have to remove the 
> wooden frame around the opening and the tank will just fit through it. Mine 
> had a metal strap that secured the tank to the hull. It was not reusable, 
> so I cut it with a pair of metal cutters - not too hard as I remember. 
> 
> After disconnecting the hoses and the wiring to the sensor, you have to get 
> the tank over to the port side so you can fit it through the aft cabin 
> opening. I got a new tank from Catalina (Frank later reimbursed me, even 
> though my boat was out of warranty). Installing the new tank was just a 
> reverse of the removal process. I bought a tank hold down strap from my 
> local boating store and resecured the tank. Keep the old sensor. I didn't 
> and my new sensor isn't nearly as accurate as the old one. The sensor is 
> easily replaced. 
> 
> Good luck! 
> 
> Ray Durand, #822 
> Marina del Rey 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: 
> To: "320 List" 
> Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 5:32 AM 
> Subject: [C320-list] My fuel tank leaks! 
> 
> 
> > Well I confirmed the worst case scenario this weekend. My fuel tank is 
> > indeed leaking somewhere on the bottom. I will be calling Catalina this 
> > morning to get a new tank, so any advice on removing the tank and removing 
> > the fuel in the tank would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can get one 
> > quickly enough to not end the rest of my season :( 
> > I took a look at what Nigel Calder had to say about fuel tanks and was 
> > quite surprised to read that a study conducted by the ABYC revealed a tank 
> > life for aluminum to be between 7.6 years and 17 years! Production and 
> > quality control seem to make the difference in the life of the tanks. My 
> > boat is a '99, so this seems really premature. 
> > 
> > Does anyone have a suggestion on the type of transfer pump I can use 
> > (siphoning is not an option).? Someone at the marina mentioned that there 
> > is pump that can be attached to a drill and is okay to use with diesel, 
> > but haven't been able to find one...Thanks in advance for any advice! 
> > 
> > Regards, 
> > 
> > Jon Vez 
> > 
> 
> 
>