pin wholes in aluminum fuel tank ?

[alan ber]

64 gallon aluminum gas tank
developed pin wholes and fuel was leaking
Pulled tank.
Sanded entire bottom, ran a layer of epoxy like a layer of spackel,all over bottom sanded, painted.
Lasted almost 2 years.
Smelled gas the other day, just pulled tank and sure enough another pin whole.
Just started my search for another tank
He is my thoughts.
Until I find what I want ( cheap) planning on patching again, any other material you boaters would consider.
First time around I used Marine Tex and it covered a small area and was expensive.
Ace has their own metal epoxy, two can set, priced reasonable

Present tank is 48/24/ 14 sits under floor board of my sea ray 64 gallons
I generally fish local bay waters and close off shore. I never fill tank, my thoughts were if it started too leak again
transfering fuel is a pain and why truck all that fuel around
10 gallons is plenty for a days fishing
Thinking about two tanks in same whole,
1 smaller fuel tank around 30 gallons
another tank next too fuel tank for a wash down system that I want too install.
No other area too place a tank.
Sea Ray is only 21 ft
Is it legal ? to have water and fuel in same cavity?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: pin wholes in aluminum fuel tank ?

Might try 1 of these for the fuel leaks:
KBS

POR15

Prep is extremely important on aluminum, more so on an aluminum fuel tank. I'd wonder why there is a frequent corrosion problem on your tank as well, not just repairing the current pinhole(s).

Fuel tank installation is important to preventing the corrosion:
Aluminum fuel tank installation

Exposure to water can be part of the problem, make sure you are attempting to prevent allowing water below decks & any water that does make it below decks is able to drain back to the bilge & get pumped overboard...

 

[alan ber]

Re: pin wholes in aluminum fuel tank ?

Thanks for your reply
Last time around I mounted the tank on shims of narrow wood
To avoid water holding in cavity were tank is I drilled extra water release holes, mfg had one small I added a few more.
Boat sits on a trailer, at my home and drain plug is removed and boat tilted all the way up so no water accumulates.
But you make a valid point about water staying in cavity.
There is always water between rain, wash down of boat
Think tank was so rusted that the only way too fix property is too take too a shop and spray in a bed liner inside or just bite the bullet and purchase a new tank

Just left ace with a fresh batch of epoxy and I purchased that product you see advertised on t.v. the commercial that the guy cuts a whole in his boat, and lays a aluminum door and sprays this miracle stuff around the door opening and it does not leak
I am in Orlando and boat all year so not worried about winter lay up.
Hope it works until I located another tank.

 

[robert graham]

Re: pin wholes in aluminum fuel tank ?

Unless you're just in love with that tank then best bet is to replace it with a Moeller polyethylene...any size, shape capacity you want. It's just not good or safe to have that tank leaking. Good Luck!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: pin wholes in aluminum fuel tank ?

Think tank was so rusted that the only way too fix property is too take too a shop and spray in a bed liner inside or just bite the bullet and purchase a new tank Yep, that sounds like a good idea...

Spray liner INSIDE the tank, that sounds challenging to do thru the fuel sending unit hole, or a proper way to solve the problem...

Just left ace with a fresh batch of epoxy and I purchased that product you see advertised on t.v. the commercial that the guy cuts a whole in his boat, and lays a aluminum door and sprays this miracle stuff around the door opening and it does not leak That doesn't sound like a good idea at all...

I am in Orlando and boat all year so not worried about winter lay up.
Hope it works until I located another tank.

prep prep prep the aluminum before you do anything............

Hope you get the tank leak free and are back boating safely soon............

 

[tpenfield]

Re: pin wholes in aluminum fuel tank ?

Last year, I faced the same issue . . . the tank was not quite leaking, but it had some good pinholes going and would eventually leak.

Since it is fuel and it is a boat . . . you are better off getting a new tank.

You can probably get a standard size tank. I would go with aluminum and the plastic ones can develop a smell as they age.

I replaced my 96 gallon tank last Spring . . . $1K. I would think you could get a standard size tank for around $400.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: pin wholes in aluminum fuel tank ?

Electrolysis?