[C320-list] Bilge Diesel

[Jon Vez]

Brian,
I would say with some certainty that your tank is leaking given where you're finding the fuel, the age of the tank and the fact that it continues to leak. Mine started leaking at 12 years. Jeff Hare just commissioned a larger tank that will fit a 320 and you may want to speak with him about that option. As to some of your questions:
--it's a straightforward replacement. The tank will only come out from the aft berth access hatch with the wood trim removed, not the lazarette.
--you will not have to delay your launch as the leak is very slow and you will be able to do this anywhere. The biggest issue will be removing the fuel. I used a pump attached to a drill and emptied into jerry cans through the sender hole.
--According to Nigel Calder, an aluminum tank can be expected to last 8-12 years. Of course they can go much longer. The new tanks have much thicker walls .90 vs .125, however your leak is most likely at a seam.
Once the tank is removed, getting the fuel cleaned up is pretty easy as long as you keep it contained in the aft berth area with absorbing socks. Once the tank is removed you can clean up the area pretty easily with a detergent like simple green and Pureayre. If the area is dirty, you can consider re painting with an epoxy based paint like bilge paint. However I did not find this necessary.

I know several others have done this as well, so I'm sure you will get further advice.
I know when I went through this, I denied it was the tank in my own mind and that was a mistake as all it did was create more fuel to clean up...kind of like going to the dentist at first sign of a toothache....

Good luck....

Jon
 formerly #582

Sent from my iPad

> On Apr 28, 2015, at 4:56 PM, Amiraults Family <amiraults at sympatico.ca> wrote:
> 
> All:
> 
> 
> 
> When removing antifreeze from the bilge on Sunday in preparation for launch
> May 02, I found a little diesel in the aft section of bilge exposed when
> lifting the inspection plate on the floor the main cabin. I cleaned this. I
> was at the boat again today (Tuesday) to do the hull wax and buff to find a
> ½ cup more fuel in the same area. Where I can actually trace back the leak,
> it is coming from the starboard side and from under the floor of the head.
> In the aft cabin the leak is further back than the plastic water tank. It is
> coming from the area of the fuel tank, and not the engine.
> 
> 
> 
> I filled the tank on the hard in cold November. It is now +22 C in Ottawa.
> It is possible that there is expansion of the fuel and a resulting leak
> other than in the actual tank wall. Launch cannot be delayed, and I must go
> in with club launch Saturday so I cannot further address this until Monday
> May 04. At that time I want to move quickly. Currently the leak is slow, and
> I have a bilge sock positioned in the way of the flow.
> 
> 
> 
> In the event that it proves to be the tank, if someone reading this has
> already addressed this matter and done a tank replacement, I would
> appreciate insight into the process, tips to make the remove/install
> progress more smoothly, and ‘should have dones’ that I should be
> considering. 
> 
> 
> 
> Source of the replacement tank. A quick look online shows a 19 gallon US
> aluminum from Catalina Direct for 536$, with a 50$ packaging fee and call
> for special shipping charges (all amounts USD). Is there a better source? A
> different tank material? Should I consider options like an inspection plate
> (which deletes the internal tank baffle)?
> 
> 
> 
> Removal of the old tank. How is the tank swap physically done? Can it be
> moved out of the starboard stern locker hatch?
> 
> 
> 
> Install of the new tank. Is there additional securing or isolation that
> should be installed between the new tank and the boat to increase the time
> to next failure?
> 
> 
> 
> Clean-up. There are products which can be used to clean up the spill. Is
> there a superior product? There are areas (such as under the head floor)
> where I have no access. Is there a technique which can be used to clean
> these difficult to access areas? Will I need to be looking at some form of
> sealing paint to eliminate diesel odor?
> 
> 
> 
> Might as wells. With the fuel tank removed (as well as all of the locker
> detritus displaced to allow access) is there some other unrelated
> maintenance that I should be considering given that the area can now be
> accessed for the first time since new?
> 
> 
> 
> I am also curious. My previous boat experienced failure of its aluminum fuel
> tank after 28 years. Bear originally went into service in 2000. Is 15 years
> unusual for a tank failure? 
> 
> 
> 
> Regards;
> 
> 
> 
> Brian Amirault
> 
> 797 Waltzing Bear, too 
> 
> 
> 
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