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05-06-2018, 11:37
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 88
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fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Hello!
Coming out of my diesel tank i have the suction line going to the heater. The tank is a very funny shape so the line to the engine and the heater are actually about at the 1/2 full to 2/3 full level.
Anyways, the seal around the suction line is weeping. I say weeping and not leaking as it is very very low but clearly diesel is coming out. I very rarely get the tank empty enough to be able to unscrew this and do a proper fix. Is there anything i could do as a stop gap to stopping the weeping or leaking for now?
Any thoughts would be great.
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05-06-2018, 12:50
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Oregon
Boat: Seafarer36c
Posts: 5,563
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
I don't think there is anything that will seal a diesel leak that is below the fluid level. I've tried fancy aerospace sealants, epoxy's etc and everything continues to weep.
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05-06-2018, 14:18
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Solent, England
Boat: Moody 31
Posts: 18,398
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
You need to decant the fuel and do it properly. Sorry no short cuts been there and failed with a diesel fuel tank on my landrover.
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05-06-2018, 14:31
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, cruising in Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,400
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Pete 7 has the right of it. Borrow some jerry jugs. I hope you have a small fuel tank. You'll want to give some thought to spillage as you change from tank to tank, and it might be prudent to filter the fuel into the containers. If you're finding grit or algae in the fuel, be thankful, you can go on and polish all the fuel, clean the tank, and be good to go, having dodged a fairly common bullet. Sorry to have made the job so much bigger on you....but it's a boat. :-)
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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05-06-2018, 15:10
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 8
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
This is what I used to temp fix aircraft fuel tanks. Works pretty well and will last quite a while. some of the fuel tanks we used it on were even pressurized to 6-8 psi and it would hold.
I even used it on an external oil line on my motorcycle to get me home on a long trip as well.
https://www.newpig.com/pig-wet-surfa...putty/p/PTY259
Good Luck
Tony
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05-06-2018, 15:34
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Long Island, New York
Boat: Beneteau 423 43 feet
Posts: 850
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Strange your fuel lines don’t go deeper..... 1/2 to 2/3? Personally I would address that as it seems like an issue. I also agree that it’s important with fuel to do it right...... Fire sucks.
Good luck!
Greg
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06-06-2018, 01:06
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 88
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Thanks for the advice everyone!
The fuel lines themselfs go all the way to the bottom of the tank, its just that the are placed in to the tank well below the full mark!
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06-06-2018, 01:33
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Boat: Fisher pilothouse sloop 32'
Posts: 3,413
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubberduck
Thanks for the advice everyone!
The fuel lines themselfs go all the way to the bottom of the tank, its just that the are placed in to the tank well below the full mark!
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I reckon most of us worked that out.
__________________
Rob aka Uncle Bob Sydney Australia.
Life is 10% the cards you are dealt, 90% how you play em
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06-06-2018, 09:05
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete7
You need to decant the fuel and do it properly. Sorry no short cuts been there and failed with a diesel fuel tank on my landrover.
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This. Just pump it into jerry cans and do it right.
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06-06-2018, 09:20
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Southport, NC
Boat: Grand Banks 42 Classic
Posts: 55
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Possibly Silicone Rescue tape? I keep rolls of it on board. It seals to itself and withstands most any fluid and temp extremes. Had it on a water hose 75+PSI and actually forgot about it. Not sure if it will seal diesel, but I'm guessing if you get a good clean wipe on the fuel line and start winding it on itself you may get a good temp seal.
__________________
Jan & Lee
Previous Owners of
Shangri-La
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06-06-2018, 10:34
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Victoria, BC
Boat: Buchan 37, Windward Mark + MiniTransat 6,50 Antidote
Posts: 85
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Try "ER Tape". It is advertised as capable of sealing diesel & hydraulic leaks. It can also be used underwater to do that. It is a self-sealing tape that may make a permanent fix for your problem.
Google "ER Tapes" to see their products.
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06-06-2018, 13:51
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: East Coast Florida
Boat: Chris Craft 38 Commander 1965
Posts: 482
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
The way I read the OP first description is that the fuel line is weeping not the tank. IMO all diesel fuel tanks should have a shut off valve close if not on the tank. That way when working on the engine or fuel lines it doesn't matter how much fuel is in the tank.
If it is actually the tank that is leaking then draining all the fuel and repairing the tank is needed. Depending on what the tank is made of the the difficulty can be decided. Fiberglass is fairly easy to repair, metal usually requires removal and having someone weld in a patch.
If it is metal on a corner or seam then I would recommend having a proper metal working shop do the repair - and maybe check for other bad places before investing too much in a tank that is soon to fail in other spots.
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06-06-2018, 17:51
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Langley, WA
Boat: Nordic 44
Posts: 2,496
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
I interpret what you are saying is that the fuel line passes into the tank part way up on the side of the tank rather than from the top. If that is what you are saying you have the prime example of why ABYC rules dictate that all tank openings be on top of the tank.
Does your insurance company know this? If you had a fire that would be enough for your insurance company to deny coverage. Besides which I am sure you don't want a fire. Be glad that it's diesel, not gas.
That tank needs to be fixed or replaced. All fuel must be removed. The tank's side opening must be welded shut, either in place or removed from the boat (better choice) to be welded.
This is one of those things that, IMO must be done right.
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06-06-2018, 19:40
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Niagara Falls
Boat: Westsail 32
Posts: 629
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
On my Yanmar 3GM30 diesel engine, there are several connections naturally in the fuel line. Each of those connections has a little soft copper crush washer inside it, to seal.
When you open a connection, that copper crush washer is a replacement item. They workharden, and if you try to reuse it, it will leak.
When you get the fuel out of the tank, open the connector and see it there's a little copper crush washer inside, to seal. If there is, replace it.
I don't have a good suggestion for a temporary fix.
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06-06-2018, 20:30
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#15
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Auckland, NZ
Boat: Compass 790 , 7.9 metres or 26 ft
Posts: 2,803
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Re: fixing a weeping fuel line from a full diesel tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by BatEng
This is what I used to temp fix aircraft fuel tanks. Works pretty well and will last quite a while. some of the fuel tanks we used it on were even pressurized to 6-8 psi and it would hold.
I even used it on an external oil line on my motorcycle to get me home on a long trip as well.
https://www.newpig.com/pig-wet-surfa...putty/p/PTY259
Good Luck
Tony
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Amazing! I'm a rough bstd but not sure I'd wanna fly in a plane you fixed the fuel tank on. No offence intended. :-) Wouldn't object to trying on diesel boat tho
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