[C320-list] My fuel tank leaks!

[Ray Durand]

Jon,

I guess I was a little more fortunate in that the new tank that I got from 
Catalina was an exact replacement.  Of course, this was about three years 
ago and Frank may have changed vendors since then.  Taking a whole day to do 
it sounds about right.  Let's hope that not too many others have to 
experience this pleasure!

Ray
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jonvez at comcast.net>
To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 2:39 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] My fuel tank leaks!


> Ray,
> First of all, thanks for the advice on removing the tank from the aft 
> cabin access--saved me a lot of time!
>
> For those of you who may have to go through this, this is how I 
> successfully removed and installed a new tank yesterday--
>
> I found that I too had a pinhole leak in a weld--looks like the tank had 
> enough room to move around a bit and I'm sure this didn't help. The newer 
> tanks are thicker (my original was .90mm and the 'new' one .125mm). I got 
> the tank from Catalina in two days, but it was manufactured in July of 04. 
> Didn't come in a box, so it was pretty scratched up when I got it, so I 
> hope it holds!
>
> To remove the fuel: I ended up using a Siphon Mate, which is a simple pump 
> that costs $27.99 at Defender. I also  bought a pump that fits on a drill 
> and is a simple impeller for 15 bucks at a hardware store, but my drill 
> wasn't powerful enough, so I went with the hand pump.
>
> To remove the old tank: The was much easier than I anticipated. Once empty 
> it came right out using the aft cabin access panel (the lazarette is about 
> a 1/2" to small (thanks again Ray!). You need to unscrew all of the 
> connections holding the hoses in place and remove the boards over the 
> tank. The board to port was a pain to remove and if I ever have to do this 
> again, I will trim it to get it in and out more easily.
>
> The new tank: Catalina sent me the tank with the fuel inlet and return 
> connections both pointed in the wrong direction and the barbs too small 
> for the hoses! Changing out the hoses wasn't an option because all of the 
> connections on the engine side call for the hose size already in the boat. 
> To solve this problem, I took the connections from the old tank and refit 
> them onto the new tank. The problem is that the old hose barbs are made of 
> bronze and I had no way of isolating these from the aluminum tank other 
> than teflon tape. So I will be calling the tank manufacturer tomorrow to 
> see if I can get the right size barbs in aluminum (West and others don't 
> seem to carry and I can't find a stainless insert to separate the two 
> metals.
>
> Overall, it was an all day job and not one I want to do again, but it 
> wasn't an impossible task. I am very frustrated that the old tank 1) 
> failed so soon, and 2) Catalina didn't provide me with a drop in 
> replacement ($377 plus shipping by the way).
>
> Finally, I did get a chance to check the condition of the fuel and tank as 
> far as sludge and I'm very pleased to find that I had no sludge and the 
> fuel was extremely clean! So I will continue with my regimen of keeping 
> the tank topped up and using Biobor as a anti-microbial....If anyone is 
> interested in more detail, let me know...Thanks to everyone who provided 
> advice!
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
>
>
> -------------- 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
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>