Fuel Tank leak - help!!!

[bajones]

Hey guys. Just bought a 91 Sunbird Stinger and discovered it has a leak in the gas tank. I have already checked hoses and sending unit gasket and everything looks good there so it must be the tank. The tank is made of fiberglass and there is no hatch to get to it so the floor must be cut open. From this point I think I have 3 options. Please chime in on them and let me know which would work out the best:<br /><br />1. Not sure if this is a valid option but is there anyway I can patch the leak internally without cutting the floor and removing the tank?<br /><br />2. Cut floor and pull fiberglass tank and repair by re-glassing the holes. Would I be better off to re-glass the entire tank or just patch the holes? Is there any special resin or epoxy that I must use since it's a fuel tank?<br /><br />3. Cut floor and replace existing fiberglass tank with a poly tank. This option may prove to be difficult if I cannot find a poly tank that is the correct dimensions.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Fuel Tank leak - help!!!

If you remove the sender you should be able to get a good look inside the tank no?<br /><br />I'd do that just out of curiosity. If you're sure it's the tank, I'd drain and it pull it completely out and then replace it. It just isn't worth taking a chance with your life... As you probably know, gas fumes are heavier than air and will settle in the bilge as they have no way to escape like they do in a car (In a car they fall to the ground and dissipate). One stray spark could cause a massive explosion. Be very careful or take it to a highly qualified marine mechanic and let them diagnose and fix it!!!!<br /><br />EDIT<br />I wouldn't try to start the boat and/or turn on anything electrical if you have ANY hint of gas odor.

 

[bajones]

Re: Fuel Tank leak - help!!!

I have another question regaurding this leak. I filled the tank up with water and the tank doesn't leak. When i fill the tank up with fuel it leaks. I water that much denser that gas?

 

[bajones]

Re: Fuel Tank leak - help!!!

Can anyone else pitch in? I want to get this tank pulled and fixed. Thanks!

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Fuel Tank leak - help!!!

I can't explain why it leaks with gas but not with water. However, it doesn't really matter. If you're leaking gas you need to isolate the leak to determine what the problem is. I'd cut the floor out and remove the tank if I were you. No other option would give me any peace of mind. Since you apparently went through the trouble of draining all the fuel and refilling with water, now it's safer to mess with...so you can do all your cutting with the tank full of water to reduce any risk of explosion from sparks due to fumes in the tank. HOWEVER>>>MAKE SURE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO HINT OF FUEL ODOR IN THE BILGE BEFORE DOING ANYTHING. A tank full of water does NOTHING to prevent an explosion if there's stray fumes in the bilge that have already leaked out. So use extreme caution, or die, whichever you prefer. Then, with the tank safely out of the boat, you can isolate the leak for certain. If you determine for sure it's the tank itself, and it is indeed fiberglass, I'd replace it with a poly or aluminum tank. Don't risk patching it. They don't cost all that much...it's really more labor than money now that you've gone this far. And you can find all kinds of different dimensions of tanks that will fit your boat.

 

[gr8rg8r]

Re: Fuel Tank leak - help!!!

craze1cars is right.<br /><br />Replace that tank.<br /><br />But, I would venture a hypothesis as to why you detected the leak with gas but not with water - you can smell gas vapors at very low concentration.<br /><br />That said, a leaking fuel tank is serious and is already dangerous. I found a leak in one of my tanks and after considering repairing it, have already paid to have replacement aluminum tanks manufactured. I will complete that replacement this week and not think about it again for another 16 years (the boat is a 1989 Grady White).<br /><br />Richard

 

[Wotknot]

Re: Fuel Tank leak - help!!!

Yours and anyone elses life isn't worth "patching".....REPLACE IT

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Fuel Tank leak - help!!!

Did the tank leak gas when it was full or empty or both.<br /><br />It is probably cracked and cracks will leak differently depending on the pressure put on them and also if the crack moves under the weight of the liquid pressing on them.<br /><br />Ken