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#1
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made
out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? -- Geoff www.GeoffSchultz.org |
#2
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
On Mon, 12 May 2008 14:00:47 -0500, Geoff Schultz
wrote: I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...Sea rch&meta= -- |
#3
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
On Mon, 12 May 2008 20:15:09 +0100, Goofball_star_dot_etal
wrote: On Mon, 12 May 2008 14:00:47 -0500, Geoff Schultz wrote: I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...Sea rch&meta= -- or clinch nut.. or rivet nut http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...ch+nut&spell=1 for thinner panels. Heli-coils for thicker plate, typically 2x thread diameter. Both generally need a tool to fit. |
#4
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
Just use a larger and self tap it.
Goofball_star_dot_etal wrote: On Mon, 12 May 2008 20:15:09 +0100, Goofball_star_dot_etal wrote: On Mon, 12 May 2008 14:00:47 -0500, Geoff Schultz wrote: I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...Sea rch&meta= -- or clinch nut.. or rivet nut http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...ch+nut&spell=1 for thinner panels. Heli-coils for thicker plate, typically 2x thread diameter. Both generally need a tool to fit. |
#5
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
On Mon, 12 May 2008 20:19:46 GMT, Dry1 wrote:
Just use a larger and self tap it. Or use chewing gum. |
#6
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
Goofball_star_dot_etal wrote in
: On Mon, 12 May 2008 20:15:09 +0100, Goofball_star_dot_etal wrote: On Mon, 12 May 2008 14:00:47 -0500, Geoff Schultz wrote: I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...04-11%2CGGLD%3 Aen&q=cinch+nuts%2C++helicoils&btnG=Search&met a= -- or clinch nut.. or rivet nut http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...1,GGLD:en&sa=X &oi=spell&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&q=clinch+nut&spe ll=1 for thinner panels. Heli-coils for thicker plate, typically 2x thread diameter. Both generally need a tool to fit. Considering that I only have 2 screws to repair, I really don't want to purchase a specialized tool. The helicoil is for much thicker material than I have. However, thanks for the suggestion. -- Geoff www.GeoffSchultz.org |
#7
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
On Mon, 12 May 2008 19:48:06 -0500, Geoff Schultz
wrote: Goofball_star_dot_etal wrote in : On Mon, 12 May 2008 20:15:09 +0100, Goofball_star_dot_etal wrote: On Mon, 12 May 2008 14:00:47 -0500, Geoff Schultz wrote: I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...04-11%2CGGLD%3 Aen&q=cinch+nuts%2C++helicoils&btnG=Search&meta = -- or clinch nut.. or rivet nut http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...1,GGLD:en&sa=X &oi=spell&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&q=clinch+nut&spe ll=1 for thinner panels. Heli-coils for thicker plate, typically 2x thread diameter. Both generally need a tool to fit. Considering that I only have 2 screws to repair, I really don't want to purchase a specialized tool. The helicoil is for much thicker material than I have. However, thanks for the suggestion. -- Geoff www.GeoffSchultz.org Perhaps oversize: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...G=Search&meta= Stronger than pre-tapped holes due to work hardening and tight fit. |
#8
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message .. . I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? -- Geoff www.GeoffSchultz.org I suggest a third and fourth option: 3) Don't fill the tank completely full. Sail more and motor less. 4) Don't fill the tank at all - sell the motorboat and get a real sailboat. Do you really think you'll enjoy paying ten bucks a gallon for diesel fuel and that's what it's coming to sooner than you might think. Wilbur Hubbard |
#9
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in
ews.com: "Geoff Schultz" wrote in message .. . I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? -- Geoff www.GeoffSchultz.org I suggest a third and fourth option: 3) Don't fill the tank completely full. Sail more and motor less. 4) Don't fill the tank at all - sell the motorboat and get a real sailboat. As someone who spends all of his time behind a keyboard, I might suggest the same. I have a hard time figuring out which is larger: your self inflated ego or your mouth. Both are obnoxiously over sized. When you have something useful to contribute, please feel free to. Otherwise, just shut up and leave the discussion to people who actually are trying to help. -- Geoff www.GeoffSchultz.org |
#10
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Fuel Tank Inspection Cover Leak
Hi Geoff,
Here is another option: Make up a backing plate for each cleanout ~ 1/4" thick and remove the center. The plate should look like an aluminum donut assuming the inspection cover is round. Drill and tap the backing plate to match the existing cover plate holes. I suggest using machine, hex head bolts. Then drill out the existing screw holes in the tank making them a bit larger so that the new fasteners are threaded to the backing plate only. If the cover plates and the existing access holes are rectangular, the backing plates will slide into the tank easily. If the access holes are round, cut the backing plate in one location ( from somewhere on the outside circumference towards the center of the of the backing plate). You can now bend the backing plate slightly, slide the tank edge into the slot/kerf and maneuver it into the hole in the tank. I thought about cutting the backing plate into two pieces and bolting them to the top of the tank, but it seemed to make extra work and more precise activity Clamp the backing plate in place and insert the screws without installing the cover. Once everything is lined up, drill two small holes for a flat head machine screw and attach the backing plate to the inside of the top of the tank. Now the backing plate is in place and ready to accept a new gasket and the cover. When I installed two inspection plates on my tank, I used the above process and can easily remove the covers without the backing plates falling into the tank BTW - I used 1/4" or larger hex head fasteners instead of screws. S/V Endeavor "Geoff Schultz" wrote in message .. . I have an aluminum fuel tank which has about a 6-8" inspection cover made out of the same material. The cover screws through a rubber type gasket and the screws are threaded into the tank material. One or two of the screws have stripped the threads and the tank weeps diesel primarily when it's completely full. Basically I think that I have 2 options to repair this. 1) Redrill/tap with larger screws 2) JB Weld a nut on the inside. Any comments/suggestions? -- Geoff www.GeoffSchultz.org |
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