Gas Tank leaking! Please Help!

[lappin]

I got a 20' fibergalss inboard/outbouard boat by United Marine. The gas tank is leaking. There is no way to get to the tank, without cutting the deck. My father and I believe the best solution is to cut the deck. Problem is we don't know the demensions of the tank. As far as I can tell United MArine is out of business so getting the skematics will be one hell of a job. Any suggestions?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Gas Tank leaking! Please Help!

You can either cut the deck, remove the tank, clean it, seal it and reinstall it...or disconnect it, drain and dry it out, seal it off and run your boat with one or two portable tanks.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Gas Tank leaking! Please Help!

A leak can be a very touchy thing. Id suggest you drain the tank, flush it, agian fill the tank with water, vent the area very well, take a diamond tip blade, and cut a opening. Start with a small opening and just keep working it until you are able to get the right dimension's.

Perhaps going over to inboards and posting your year, make and model along with pic's might get you better result's.

I wouldn't stress it to much if it's just cutting a hole and replacing the tank, it would be a easy cosmetic repair. And advise here wouid be abundant.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Gas Tank leaking! Please Help!

Lappin, Most tanks are purchased by boat builders and installed in their boats. If you know the capacity and can guess the basic shape, you can make an educated guess on its dimensions by looking at the tanks made by Tempo and Perko.

There was an epoxy product that was supposed to seal pinhole leaks in gas tanks. You simply poured it in to a dry clean tank and let it settle over the leaking area.

If you do cut it out, it would be best to figure out a way to make it more accessable, especially if you do repair it.

 

[klos]

Re: Gas Tank leaking! Please Help!

This may be a stupid question but would a stud finder work in this situation? My Black & decker stud finder can find studs through 3/4" OSB in my pole barn wall. Could you run it over the floor of your boat to find and mark the tops of the stringers. Then you would know the dimentions of your fuel tank compartment. (If it works).

 

[crunch]

Re: Gas Tank leaking! Please Help!

Hey!!!... good thinkin'... but, as tailgunner said, drain and clean the tank before cutting, you may not find the end of the tank with the stud finder.