How does one check for a fuel tank leak? The boat is a 1974 33' Silverton
with an alumimun(?) gas tank under the cabin floor, 250 gallons. It is a
gasoline based boat.

Thanks for any and all responses.

Tony Abbott wrote:
How does one check for a fuel tank leak?

The best way is with air pressure (about 3 psi) and soap bubbles.
However, it's likely that you've got a tank partially full of gasoline,
which makes this impractical and potentiall dangerous.




... The boat is a 1974 33' Silverton
with an alumimun(?) gas tank under the cabin floor, 250 gallons. It is a
gasoline based boat.

The first thing to do is clear as much access to that tank, and the
bilge around it, as you can. Get all the water out, use a sponge and
then paper towels. If you can't dry this part of the bilge, partition it
off with some plumbers putty. After sopping up all bilgewater and fuel,
wait a while and see if more fuel appears. If yes, then track it down.

Fair Skies
Doug King

I agree with Doug.
I just had to replace my gas tank. Had to cut away fiberglass to do it, but
much better than an explosion. If you do want to pressure test it first,
make sure you plan not to use the boat for at least a few days, find a way
to drain the tank, test it, then open everything the fumes could possibly
get into and air it out well. Also wash the inside of the boat, around the
fuel tank area with purple stuff (available at any parts store), and rinse
it very, very well. Wait a day or so before going back onto the boat. If you
smell fuel, do it again. I can't express to you enough just how dangerous a
leaking fuel tank or low lying fumes can be.
Joe


"DSK" wrote in message
.. .
Tony Abbott wrote:
How does one check for a fuel tank leak?

The best way is with air pressure (about 3 psi) and soap bubbles.
However, it's likely that you've got a tank partially full of gasoline,
which makes this impractical and potentiall dangerous.




... The boat is a 1974 33' Silverton
with an alumimun(?) gas tank under the cabin floor, 250 gallons. It is a
gasoline based boat.

The first thing to do is clear as much access to that tank, and the
bilge around it, as you can. Get all the water out, use a sponge and
then paper towels. If you can't dry this part of the bilge, partition it
off with some plumbers putty. After sopping up all bilgewater and fuel,
wait a while and see if more fuel appears. If yes, then track it down.

Fair Skies
Doug King

Tony,
Don't even bother. Throw it away before it kills you. Never use aluminum for
a fuel tank. It is far too reactive. Use polypropylene, it doesn't corrode.
It is stable. It resists vibration. and it doesn't generate static
electricity.
Steve
"Tony Abbott" wrote in message
om...
How does one check for a fuel tank leak? The boat is a 1974 33' Silverton
with an alumimun(?) gas tank under the cabin floor, 250 gallons. It is a
gasoline based boat.

Thanks for any and all responses.

You make a fair point. If it is leaking it would probably be a waste of
time fixing it. If the leak is due to corrosion then it's probably about to
leak in a bunch of places.

"Steve Lusardi" wrote in message
...
Tony,
Don't even bother. Throw it away before it kills you. Never use aluminum
for
a fuel tank. It is far too reactive. Use polypropylene, it doesn't
corrode.
It is stable. It resists vibration. and it doesn't generate static
electricity.
Steve
"Tony Abbott" wrote in message
om...
How does one check for a fuel tank leak? The boat is a 1974 33'
Silverton
with an alumimun(?) gas tank under the cabin floor, 250 gallons. It is a
gasoline based boat.

Thanks for any and all responses.

That's interesting. Without knowing the source of the leak or the shape
of the tank and availability of a suitable poly replacement, your advice
is to junk the tank? Tony, please get a second opinion. It's a
30-yr-old boat, and you may only have a cracked hose.
Regards, Boatdreams.
--------------------------
Steve Lusardi wrote:
Tony,
Don't even bother. Throw it away before it kills you. Never use aluminum for
a fuel tank. It is far too reactive. Use polypropylene, it doesn't corrode.
It is stable. It resists vibration. and it doesn't generate static
electricity.
Steve
"Tony Abbott" wrote in message
om...

How does one check for a fuel tank leak? The boat is a 1974 33' Silverton
with an alumimun(?) gas tank under the cabin floor, 250 gallons. It is a
gasoline based boat.

Thanks for any and all responses.