[C320-list] Leaking Fuel Tank

[Jon Vez]

Hi Jeff,

My tank had the same problem around 3 seasons ago. The leak was from the
seam in the front corner on the aft side. Replacing the tank is fairly
straightforward.

1. Remove the 'floor' from the aft lazarette. This is above the fuel tank.
When doing this, be sure to undo the screws that hold the hoses in place
under the floor boards. These are around the steering quadrant.

--Once you've done this, you can remove the fuel by removing the sender and
inserting a tube. Use a pump that is safe for diesel and remove the fuel
into jerry cans.

2. Disconnect the hoses from the fuel tank. There should be 3.

3. Remove the frame the access hatch in the aft cabin. This is where you
will actually remove the tank.

4. Reverse the process

-----

A couple of things to keep in mind:

--Try to remove the old connections from the current fuel tank. The new one
comes with a new sender, but not the hose connections. It is very difficult
to find aluminum or bronze fittings for the tank. Keep in mind that since
the tank is Aluminum you need to be mindful of dissimilar metals. I ended up
breaking one and had to track the fittings down from the actual tank
manufacturer.

--You will be cutting the hold down, so plan on having some webbing and tie
down padeyes handy (the kind you use to tie down batteries)

--The bottom of the old tank has some strips of rubber duct taped to it.
This is to prevent the tank from chafing on the fiberglass hull. Remove them
and tape to the new tank.

As for the odor--I just cleaned up as much as I could and then used Simple
Green. Once the new tank was in, I had no residual fuel odors.

If you have questions or need further detail, don't hesitate to contact
me....

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 Jeffrey Kapec
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 9:35 AM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Leaking Fuel Tank

  Hello All:

I remember a discussion a few months ago regarding a leaking 
tank.  Low and behold, yesterday I was taking Petite Suite 
in for the winter layup.   Arrived at the boat to begin the 
sail to Wilson Cove and smelled something as I boarded , 
solvent like and thought....that can't be good.  Looked in 
the bilge and there was 2 inches of diesel.  Checked the 
engine and there were no leaks.  Opened the access panels in 
starboard storage and the tank looked OK.  Checked the tank 
as viewed from the port access hatch in the main berth and 
saw diesel fuel dripping (1 drip every 4 secs) from the 
outside corner.  We pumped out the diesel fuel from the 
bilge using a hand operated bilge pump and put that into an 
empty container. We managed to get the boat to the marina 
for haul out.  Now I am left with a mess, a leaking tank and 
a smell.  Has anyone had experience with removing and 
replacing the tan?  Is this a problem other have had?.  And 
any suggestions for removing diesel fuel and smell from 
bilge. This is a 2000   C320.

Thank you!

Jeff Kapec
Petite Suite Hull 718