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Date Posted: - Monday - 07/ 7/08 - 11:00pm
Author: Randall, Murre, M31
Subject: Some other thoughts
In reply to: Tom Burke 's message, "Diesel in the Bilge" on - Friday - 07/ 4/08 - 2:44am

Wow. What a stumper. Here are a couple thoughts based on my experience.

On either climbing or descending a grade, your trucker would likely have inadvertently pushed your diesel in the bilge up against the bilge pump float, triggering it, and pumping some out, but on returning to the level the float would have disengaged. In fact, this could have emptied the bilge if the hill was even moderate in length, so does the fact that a lot remained in the bilge when you received the boat imply that the leak is not minor?

If the fuel leak plus any water had filled the bilge right to the level of the propeller shaft, and if the engine was then run and the propeller engaged, the shaft would toss fuel all over the underside of the tank. I’ve had this happen with sea water when my stern gland needs tightening.

Do you have the original mild steel tank? If so, is it possible that all this fuel on the tank’s underside is masking the leak? The most vulnerable area is inside the tank--the forward lower edge where water will gather and rust the tank from the inside. If possible, I’d dry off the outside of this edge and see what accumulates. Vulnerable areas on the outside of the tank are the outer edges where the tank rests on the hull. Salt water can accumulate there with other gunk and accelerate deterioration.

I’ve had the following minor leaks:
-When I installed a new racor primary filter, I had a tough time getting the connections tight enough and they dripped for a while. You checked the out-to-engine hose. Did you check the primary filter connections?
-I had a diesel leak on the engine right at the throttle assembly (port side of my Perkins near the top). Had to replace the assembly, but that cured it. Importantly, this leak only occurred when the engine was running. I’d suggest running the engine IN GEAR, grab a flashlight, and give a look at the throttle assembly and all the other on-engine connections.

Have you checked the vent line (starboard aft corner on my tank)? Mine’s made of copper, much corroded. If the tank was at all full, sloshing on the truck or motoring in a good seaway could have easily pumped quite a bit into the bilge if the line is severed or broken.

Very interested to hear what you learn…

RR

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Replies:

[> [> Diesel in the Bilge -- Tom Burke, - Thursday - 07/17/08 - 9:58am

This is a real possibility. When thinking about the possibilities, I have only thought of a boat, rather level, pounding while the truck is going down the road. However, this began about a day after leaving southern Calif. That would be when he went over the Grapevine outside of LA or, depending on how far he drove on day one, when he headed up the grade leaving California to Oregon. The tank will be pressurized this week. I'll let you know. Much thanks.


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[> [> Desiel problem concovered -- Tom Burke, - Sunday - 07/27/08 - 7:34pm

Having had the tank pressurized, there is a leak in the seam. It is a relatively new tank but of the same size as the original so there are the same problems in taking it out. My current thought is to not repeat building a problem into the boat. Rather, I am thinking of having it cut out and the tank replaced with one that will slip into the space. All calculations seem to mean that will be a smaller tank. On balance, a smaller tank in trade for a smaller problem seems a good choice.

My thanks for all the thoughts.


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[> [> [> original tank -- Randall, - Sunday - 07/27/08 - 10:53pm

Tom,

If your tank actually is the original size (and assuming your original is the same size as my original), then it should slide out.

See my project article on the MOA board.

After removing the cockpit well sole and after removing the tank brace on the starboard side, slide the tank amidships and lift straight up. Now don't that sound easy? :)

Good luck.

RR


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[> [> [> [> taking out the tank -- Tom Burke, - Monday - 07/28/08 - 12:05am

Randall,
That still sounds like we have to cut out the cockpit and then rebuild it. I will, however, read your project.

My thanks,

Tom


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[> [> [> [> [> correct -- Randall, - Monday - 07/28/08 - 12:44am

Sorry if that wasn't clear.

But that may be easier than cutting the old one out and inserting a smaller tank with out touching the cockpit.

Easy for me to say!

Here's a serious question for you and the board: can a welded tank (whatever metal) that's got a leak at the seam and that ISN'T corroded from the inside, as the old ones are, be fixed? Or is it always just kill it and move on?

RR


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[> [> [> [> [> [> suggested solution -- Tom Burke, - Tuesday - 07/29/08 - 1:58pm

I have availability to many who could weld aluminum but not sure if that is a viable solution. My yard is suggesting a put a 30 gal tank on the port side and leave the problem tank in there. That would add about 260 lbs when the tank is filled. The water tank is on the starboard side so this might balance. I can do that job for about $300. Thoughts? and my many thanks for your inputs.
Tom


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