[C320-list] A Diesel Fuel Tank Leak

[Jon Vez]

My fuel tank leaked after about 8 seasons. The first thing to do would be to
get some oil absorber pads and place them forward of the tank. This will
keep the fuel from continuing to build in the bilge. If you remove the board
over your aft water tank you will be able to slide a few pads right up to
the front of the tank. This will also show you what side of the tank the
leak is coming from (and verify it is the fuel tank). Mine was a very slow
leak, so I spent weeks trying (hoping) it was hoses, filters etc. At the
end, I bought a new tank from Catalina (as I recall it was about $450 or so)
and replaced it. The job is fairly easy and straightforward and if you end
up going this route, I will be happy to give the specifics on this job. The
leak ended up being a pin hole in the fwd corner weld of the tank. They can
be repaired, but it wasn't worth it in my opinion as they supposedly have a
life of 7-10 years (although most last much longer)....good luck...

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Ken Danko
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 10:18 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] A Diesel Fuel Tank Leak

I have developed a diesel fuel leak. I only had a few minutes to look at 
it so I don't have all the details as I write this. I'm really surprised 
because it appears that the hoses and all connections are ok. The leak 
seems to be coming from the tank itself but I don't yet know where. 
Grace is a 2001 model so a tank failure seems to me to be highly 
unusual. The last time I was out on Grace, I hosted a post sailing BBQ 
and went back the next day to clean up (no diesel leaks then). A week 
went by, I was out of town, during which time the leak developed while 
the boat was sitting at the dock. My questions are numerous. How could 
this happen? Has anyone else experienced a sudden tank leak? Should I 
contact Catalina and see if they warranty such a failure? Can tanks be 
fixed or do I need to get a new one. How do I clean the area from the 
tank to the bilge which is somewhat inaccessible? Any and all advice 
would be greatly appreciated. One last thing, what cleaning product 
works best on diesel fuel.

Ken Danko
Grace
#802