West System epoxy is commonly used to patch small leaks in tanks. The
companys web site goes into greater detail. But, basically, you have to
sand the metal to give the epoxy something to hold onto. Then lay down a
couple of layers of epoxy-soaked mat.
A bigger question is whether there are other problems with the seams.
Dumping a full tank of diesel into the bilge entails a long, messy cleanup.
(You do know its illegal and environmentally dangerous to pump that diesel
into the water, dont you?)
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]on Behalf Of
Michael
Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 3:04 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [IC27A] Re: Water Separator // Diesel LEAK
I was just assuming there was water due to the combination of freezing
weather and the leak in the tank that I've never been able to find...until
tonight!!
I've never been so happy to see a fuel leak but I've been looking for this
since I first got the boat. It has always smelled of diesel and there was
always diesel in the bilge.
I found it by accident while I was trying to figure out where and how I
might install a water separator. I used the tank for support while crawling
into the back of the quarter berth and I saw it flow out from the weld where
the hose connects for the vent. I tried using JB WELD but inadvertently put
pressure on the tank TWICE rendering my efforts useless...very frustrating..
I drove home (before I did it the second time) while I was allowing it to
cure under the heater and was trying to think of something malleable enough
to put around the crude weld. The existing hose wouldn't go over it, so
while I was home I picked up a large adhesive patch that I've used to patch
my pond. It was a stretch but I figured if the JB Weld didn't work, I'd have
something other than Duct Tape (just kidding,((but not really because I was
desperate to stop the leak)).
After I ruined the JB Weld hold the second time, I cut a strip of the
adhesive pond liner patch, loosened the clamp and put it directly over the
hole. I clamped it down as tightly as I could and JB Weld oozed out a
little. I was so frustrated at this point that I didn't wait for anything to
cure. I figured if it worked, it worked and voila, it worked!
I'm a happy mofo and now I can concentrate my efforts on getting rid of the
smell that permeated everything. I have the cushions in my basement. I steam
cleaned them, sprayed them with Orange Glow, sprinkled them with baking soda
(all at different times) and they still smell.
I would still like a more permanent solution to the tank leak and wonder if
solder would work. The idea of having it welded while it's in the boat,
filled to the top with diesel, doesn't strike me as safe. For now, I'm just
happy it stopped.
--- In [email protected] <mailto:IC27A%40yahoogroups.com> ,
acdalz...@... wrote:
>
>
> Thumbs up on the Racor seperator from Parker. That's what I use. You might
> want to consider draining you tank if you have a lot of water in there.
>
> Andy Dalzell
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
