Hi All,
I'm looking for any helpful information as I begin to gather my thoughts on how to address a small diesel leak emanating from the aft end of my starboard tank (aft, inboard corner is where fuel trail begins). I found a previous post:
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s11/mainship-400-starboard-fuel-tank-leaking-60020.html
and am wondering if there is any new information out there. Small leak or big leak, it needs to be fixed. Doug Cole's post in that previous thread talks about cutting the tank open and repairing from the inside using a special epoxy made for/suitable for aluminum tanks. I'd love to get more information on that and if others have had success with a similar approach. I see 3 alternatives right now:
1) Remove engine and all other items from starboard side to remove/replace tank. All I can say about this is UGGGGGGGHHHHH.
2) Leave engine in place. Cut up old tank to remove. Have 2 or 3 tanks made that can fit behind motor and slid into place. These would be plumbed together. Even though they may fit "easily", there would still have to be adequate access to secure the tanks to the boat and do the plumbing (AmericanTanks.net is one company where I read about this). Has anyone gone this route?
3) Repair in place by cutting access hole. It seems like all the reports are of problems in the aft end of the tank. There is good access here if the exhaust hose is removed. A big access port would put the entire aft end of the tank in reach.
Any experience/suggestions/guidance would be helpful as I begin to wrap my head around the issue.
Thanks!
I'm looking for any helpful information as I begin to gather my thoughts on how to address a small diesel leak emanating from the aft end of my starboard tank (aft, inboard corner is where fuel trail begins). I found a previous post:
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s11/mainship-400-starboard-fuel-tank-leaking-60020.html
and am wondering if there is any new information out there. Small leak or big leak, it needs to be fixed. Doug Cole's post in that previous thread talks about cutting the tank open and repairing from the inside using a special epoxy made for/suitable for aluminum tanks. I'd love to get more information on that and if others have had success with a similar approach. I see 3 alternatives right now:
1) Remove engine and all other items from starboard side to remove/replace tank. All I can say about this is UGGGGGGGHHHHH.
2) Leave engine in place. Cut up old tank to remove. Have 2 or 3 tanks made that can fit behind motor and slid into place. These would be plumbed together. Even though they may fit "easily", there would still have to be adequate access to secure the tanks to the boat and do the plumbing (AmericanTanks.net is one company where I read about this). Has anyone gone this route?
3) Repair in place by cutting access hole. It seems like all the reports are of problems in the aft end of the tank. There is good access here if the exhaust hose is removed. A big access port would put the entire aft end of the tank in reach.
Any experience/suggestions/guidance would be helpful as I begin to wrap my head around the issue.
Thanks!