Thursday 30 September 2010

Fuel Tank Capacity And A Leak

Armed with my water meter I decided to see what the fuel tanks would hold.  The Starboard one is 280L the Port 326.  So I have a tad over 600L

The bad news was the Port tank leaks !!!  It was quite a leak as well and wasn't easy to trace.  In the end it turned out to be in a bloody awkward place meaning upside down welding in a confined space.  My favorite!  

At this point I want to make it clear that I didn't make the fuel tanks.  They are an integral part of the shell I purchased.  Given the quality of the rest of the welding and construction of what I bought I am very supprised.  

I have welded and stopped 99.9% of the leak but its still tracking a bit so I need to to a bit more welding.  I will probably need to cut the drainage channel to get a weld behind it as the tracking is coming from the tiny gap between the tank and this channel.

 The small leaks

The first repair attempt.  Awkward to get to

How glad am I that I decide to fill them with water to to find the capacity?

This could have been diesel
had I not checked it with water and red food dye!


2 comments:

  1. I think they require pressure testing as well

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  2. Hello Brian

    I will do that at some point like I did with the water tank, if only for my piece of mind. I need to find the test criteria.

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