[C320-list] Diesel Leak on Starboard tack

[Doug Treff]

All,

I've been chasing a fuel leak for some time now. At first, I noticed 
that I would have diesel in my bilge after a fill-up. I suspected that 
the hoses and fittings on the top of the tank may be to blame, since I 
have no problems when I'm at 1/2 tank or less, or when the boat is 
level.

Friday I filled up and we motored 3 hours to our destination. We had a 
leak at first, but I cleaned up the mess and there were no more 
indications of a leak on the morning. The absorb pads in the bilge were 
clean in the morning. Saturday, we began sailing and after 30 minutes on 
a starboard tack, I had more diesel to clean up. When we arrived at our 
destination for the night, I changed the absorb pads. Two fresh sets of 
absorb pads later and the fuel leak seemed to have stopped. Sunday we 
motored about an hour and had no more problems.

I suspect that the fittings or hoses on the top of the tank may be 
leaking. Since these fittings appear to be towards the port side of the 
tank, they would be on the low side while on a starboard tack. Either 
the fill hose, vent hose, or the sender. Anyone else ever deal with this 
and if so, what did you do to fix it. I am really dreading the 
possibility that I may need to replace my tank, so I'm really hoping 
that its something a little less complicated.

I have a 1996 model, hull #350.

Thanks!

-- 
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us