[C320-list] Bilge Diesel

[Karl Mielenhausen]

I have had good experience using Calgon liquid water softener to clean up
diesel residue. It looks something like this...
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/hpc/detail-page/c26-B0056X2QC6-1-l.jpg

I guess I ought to pay attention to the good work Jeff Hare has done in
designing a new fuel tank. I'm at 15 years on the 8-12 year life! Lets hope
they were welding extra good seams that day!

Karl

Karl

On Tue, 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
> 1/2 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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