85 fuel tank leaking?
 

I recently purchased a 1985 SF/23, and was planning on some clean-up and up-dating this winter.

I winterized the boat last week and started covering it up today, but there is a strong smell of gas!

I pulled the floors and checked the bilge, hoses, tank, etc. And there is no signs of gas leaking but it reeks of fuel.

The tank is foamed in-place, is there any test I can do or do I have to pull the tank?
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...acraft23-4.jpg http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...acraft23-1.jpg http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...acraft23-2.jpg

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

EGREEN, Theres only a few places the "Smell" can come from.
Tank,Hoses,fittings,Fuel filter(s), engines.check the easiest first. You can pressure test the tank but- if its weak.You've really got problems.Being an '85 the chances are really good that it's your tank(My '83 2 yrs ago),It's time.I did not foam mine back in as i figured it would hold moisteur.,Blocked it in,been OK.Replace everything associated with the system while out. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Scream'n Reels'

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

Do you have fuel in the bilge? And how did you check your fill and vent? Their both tough to do a visual on.

I ask because my '78 had that problem and as it turned out the fill and vent were shot and the tank was 100%(which is uncommon for a '78 tank).

I've had other boats with screws threw the fill, leaky sending units, stuff like that. I'd change your fill and vent lines, check your sending unit and go from there. If you need to change your tank your gonna want to replace those lines anyway.

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

If the fitings and vents all check out OK then you may want to try digging down to the bottom of the foam and see if it is saturated with fuel.

strick

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

Thanks for the tips, I placed a bucket under the drain yesterday and got about a 1/2 gallon of gas-water mix in 24 hours. I drained the rest of the gas out and it looks like I will be pulling the tank. Any tips on how to get the screw out that are under the console?

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

Unfortunately lift the console....You'll never get a tank that size out or in with the console in place.

I just did a double-take of your pic's. It looks like you have three fills on the deck? One fuel? One water? and One??? Your fuel fill should be on the gunnels, if it's on the deck then someone may have been clever. I'd pull the easy hatches and get a look-see first.

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

How big is the tank?? and where are the screws??

Finny...Come on man !!! Don't ever say "never"!!! [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

http://www.patmedia.net/scottfish21/...k-in-bilge.jpg

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

HEy Scott-

I have the week off between christmas and New Years and will be at my parents house just north of NYC. Get a hold of Finster and I will drive down and give you a hand.

You supply the beer! I think it is going to be a 6 pack job...

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

Duh....never mind. I just reread the post and it looks like you got it out already.

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

Hey EGREENE-

Did you buy your Seacraft in Morehead City, NC by any chance? I was down there last September and I could swear I looked at the exact boat which was sitting in used boat lot off the main highway...

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

Ed, I wish the tank was out, nice work Scott. How about you tell your old friend Egreen how you did it! Better yet I will supply all the food, beer, and dancing-girls needed to get the job done!!

Finster- The three fills are from a live bait well system from the previous owner. not gas.

I did buy the boat in Morehead City and ship it up to Connecticut. The boat originally belonged to Donny Jones of Jones Brothers Boats; He had the Seacraft dealership in that area for many years.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...fueltank-2.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...t/fueltank.jpg

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

EGREEN-

I pass by Stoninton 1-2 times a week if you are free when I am passing through ( and it is still daylight) I would be happy to give you a second opinion

Jason

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

Egreen
Looks like you've got a bulkhead in the way ...As you can see from the photo I didn't have that. That would require some glasswork to take it out in the same way that I did.

Ed...Thanks again for the offer !!! I would offer up the beer (regardless) but I think we are going to be north of here while you are in the area ….

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

EGreen

I have a '85 23 and the only way to get the hatch out is to take all the screws out of the console and to either move it forward or raise it in place to gain access to the hatch screws along the sides. You may have enough slack in all your wiring / hydraulic hoses to get this done. You will need about 3 inches of side movement to expose the screws

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

Thanks for the tip; I came to the same conclusion after looking at it this weekend. I think the foam was a bad idea; the tank has a massive leak.

Anyone have a good source for replacement fuel tanks in the North East?

Traider, If you have a chance some time I would like to get your insight on this project, I live in Connecticut just over the RI border.

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

There is a guy on the Suth Shore of Ma. that does all sorts of marine fabrication work, T-tops, leaning posts, fuel tanks, ect. Kent fab engineering.

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

I went with SP Tanks in Tom River, New Jersey, last year.For a 135 Gal.tank it cost me $620, $65 for Epoxy coating, $120 delivery = $805 delivered to a truck warehouse in Providence. 2 weeks to fab/ deliver after you send them the dimensions. I am very pleased with the results. They even sent me a small epoxy touch up kit! See them at www.sptanks.com, or call @ 732 929 8666. Good Luck Dink

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

I also used S&P for my tank. A 96 gal. 3/16 aluminum, epoxy coated, app. $800.00 picked up. They did a great job.-PF

Re: 85 fuel tank leaking?
 

eGreen

If you can wait until the last week of Dec. I may be able to stop by and help you get the old tank out. Dink