[C320-list] Diesel Leak on Starboard tack

[Greg Flanagan]

I had my fuel polished. The polisher used my sending unit port for access. He stripped the tapped screws, didn't tell me and I had the classic leaking problems with a full tank. I repaired this by fabricating a flange out of plastic wood. I bolted this flange with a gasket to the tank using the tapped screw holes. In this flange I had installed five bolts in the same pattern sticking up. To these I attached the sending unit ( with gasket) and nuts. The flange will now stay on forever. And I have a stud assembly for attaching and detaching the sending unit whenever. Problem permanently solved. I can post a write up of the repair with pictures if helpful. 

Greg,

Hoop Dancer # 1076

> On Aug 4, 2014, at 10:46 AM, "tharrison at innovations-plus.com" <tharrison at innovations-plus.com> wrote:
> 
> I just replaced my sending unit. The screws that held the old unit in place were taped screws. The new sending unit had a bolt and a nice rubber gasket on each bolt. But I could not use them because of different threads. 
> 
> I used a diesel gasket sealing material from an auto store. No leaks. 
> 
> If you are going to re-seal the sending unit make sure of the position or your fuel gauge may not work. 
> 
> Ted 1997 hull 424 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 4, 2014, at 12:02 PM, Becky DeVillier <sail320 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I had the same problem. It turned out to be leaking around the sender. I isolated it by having someone slowly fill the tank while I looked at the top of the sending  unit..
>> Becky
>> Synergy #201
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -------- Original message --------
>> From: Doug Treff <doug at treff.us>
>> Date:08/04/2014  11:54 AM  (GMT-05:00)
>> To: C320 List <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
>> Subject: [C320-list] Diesel Leak on Starboard tack
>> 
>> 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