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INPUT Needed Ruptured Integral Fuel Tank
jimmyrinaldi	#1  Posted on 04/18/10 - 2:55 PM
Member Posts: 212 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/29/07	HELP !!! The integral Aluminum tank (22gal) in my 16SL is leaking into my hull. I was primping for this season and kept smelling gas. She is leaking fuel from the seal aroung the middle drain hole. It can only be coming from the tank which is surely cracked somewhere. I have already located a replacement tank and am able to do the job, but what steps should I take for my hull ? Will the foam need to be replaced ? What should I look for once I get the tank out ? ALL COMMENTS WELCOME !!! Thanks, Jimmy Edited by jimmyrinaldi on 04/18/10 - 3:03 PM
kamie	#2  Posted on 04/18/10 - 3:39 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	Jimmy, I am not familiar with your specific boat, but my guess is that the tank is not in direct contact with the interior foam that provides floation. In the 18 Outrage the tank is foamed in place but there is a gel coated tank cavity so there is no way for the gas to get to the foam. Your tank may be foamed into the cavity so if that foam is soaked with gas, I would be extremely careful with it's removal.
jimmyrinaldi	#3  Posted on 04/18/10 - 3:48 PM
Member Posts: 212 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/29/07	I have fuel leaking out the bottom next to a through drain. I am betting in is in my foam...
Joe Kriz	#4  Posted on 04/18/10 - 3:57 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11434 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Most models have a fiberglass cavity for the tank. See this member Project Album http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=43 and this one http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=31 and this article http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...ticle_id=8 Do you have the floor up yet? Once you remove the fuel tank cover (floor) you should be able to see what you have.
jimmyrinaldi	#5  Posted on 04/18/10 - 4:05 PM
Member Posts: 212 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/29/07	it looks like the last link. tank with foam around the edges although mine is a tighter fit...
Joe Kriz	#6  Posted on 04/18/10 - 4:08 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11434 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	All of them are the same. The tank goes into the fiberglass cavity, and then foam is poured around the tank and in the cavity so the tank stays put. To remove, take the tank out and remove the foam down to the fiberglass cavity. Then reinstall.
jimmyrinaldi	#7  Posted on 04/18/10 - 4:12 PM
Member Posts: 212 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/29/07	but i have fuel leaking out of the bottom drain seal. could the fiberglass cavity be cracked as well ?
Joe Kriz	#8  Posted on 04/18/10 - 4:31 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11434 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	There is drainage from the fuel tank cavity to the bilge area in most models. Don't try to read anything else into your repair until you have taken the fuel tank cover off and see exactly what is going on.
jimmyrinaldi	#9  Posted on 04/18/10 - 4:49 PM
Member Posts: 212 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/29/07	OK Thanks ! I will be back when I get the tank out... Edited by jimmyrinaldi on 04/18/10 - 4:53 PM
jimmyrinaldi	#10  Posted on 07/10/10 - 7:43 PM
Member Posts: 212 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/29/07	so the good news is there is no fuel tank issue, it is my bottom thru drain that is the culprit... bullet dodged...