[C320-list] mystery leak

[Dick Walker]

The forward tank is higher than the rear tank and tends to force water out
the rear inspection cap so:  Only have the front tank on; not both.

I normally only use the rear tank and keep the front tank dry except on
trips more than 3 days.  When there is water in the front tank it is the
only tank selected.

Hope this keeps you dry.

Cheers from Coronado

Dick Walker
WindWalkerII
C-320  #687
619.435.8986



-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bronwen Young
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2014 1:47 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] mystery leak

We have had FanaSea for two years.  We have been driven nearly mad by a
phantom leak(s) that get water into the secondary bilge area under the sole.
We have attended to a whole host of things that were contributing to the
problem.

-The rear water tank was leaking out its inspection port.  The breather tube
went downhill from the tank and hence pressure would force water out the
top.  We positioned the breather tube and sealed the cap.
The forward tank was inspected and all lines in and out seem correctly
positioned and secure.  Its cap does not leak air, nor water.

-The shower hose leaked at its inlet.  We replaced the hose.  While in there
we replaced all the hoses out of the sink, from the shower sump, and in and
out of the head.  We also sealed the fibreglas area at the sole level,
directly inboard from the sink.  Numerous inspections have shown that there
are no further leaks in this area.

-There were many issues with the hot water tank [pressure relief valve,
drain valve, heat exchange pipes].  In the end we have replaced the hot
water tank.  Inspection does not reveal any leaks, including the hoses/pipes
where the radiator fluid enters the exchanger at the back.

-The water pump seemed okay but seemed to be working too hard.  We put in a
reno kit and checked all its line fittings.  Everything seems okay.

-We inspected all the hot and cold water lines as best we could.  This
includes: to and from the aft shower, from both water tanks (even removed,
checked, and replaced the aft one) [put duct tape over a couple of spots
that were rubbing], blue and red feeds to both sinks, and all the lines to
and from the hot water tank.  The aft input line may have leaked just below
the valve at the Y junction, so the connector was replaced.

-The drain lines from the galley sinks were replaced, though they did not
ever seem to have leaked.

-The macerator was replaced and all the sewage lines around the holding tank
were inspected.  The thru-hulls both were checked and are quite operational.
The holding tank has been checked as best it can while still in place.

-All the goose necks have been inspected and seem to be in their correct
positions and are functioning.

Okay, the latest thing we did was the hot water tank.  We then motored to a
rendezvous on basically flat seas for 4.5 hours.  There was perhaps 100 ml
of liquid in the cross tube that goes from the port locker across to the
corner of the holding tank.  The water was dirty, but was not salty.  It may
have been due to residual spillage during the re-and-re.  It might have had
some e-glycol in it.
After the weekend, we beat our way home for seven hours, with about 45
minutes total engine time from the two ends.  The wind was 10 - 15 knots, so
it was a great sail, going over to 10°-12°-15° & a bit to 20°.  We check
when we get back to the dock and there is 250-350 ml of water in the cross
tube.  The hot water tank was checked - no leak from the back.   The water
pressure was on during the sail.

We are stumped.  What system would leak because we are healing over?

Bronwen & Eric Young
FanaSea, #198=