Sealant for Diesel Tank Lid

drob · 20-08-2009, 20:33

Hi My yacht has built in diesel tanks made of epoxied ply with an aluminium lid. To try and track down a minor seepage I removed the well screwed, bogged down lid. Does anyone know what sealant type to use to re-seal the lid to the ply tank. The lid overlaps the tank by about 50mm.

Christian Van H · 20-08-2009, 20:57

Buna-N rubber gasket comes to mind...

GordMay · 21-08-2009, 04:06

While Buna-N (Nitrile) gaskets are fully compatible with diesel fuel, any rubber gasket requires considerable clamping pressure (between tank & cover) to make a good seal.

If you are using wood screws, driven into your plywood core, I would recommend using a “Polysulfide” (Thiokol) adhesive sealant, like 3M’s “101", BoatLife “Life-Caulk”, Master Bond, & etc.

Do NOT use a Polyurethane (3M “5200", Sika-Flex, etc).

gonesail · 21-08-2009, 06:34

get a seabuilt access plate and you will never need to worry about sealant or leakage or stripped screws.

GordMay · 21-08-2009, 07:00

See also ➥ Fuel Tank Acces Ports

"Seabuilt" Access Plate ➥ http://www.seabuilt.com/_pdfs/Instructions.pdf

20-08-2009, 20:33	#1
drob Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NZ Boat: Atkinson 14m, Touche Posts: 5	Sealant for Diesel Tank Lid Hi My yacht has built in diesel tanks made of epoxied ply with an aluminium lid. To try and track down a minor seepage I removed the well screwed, bogged down lid. Does anyone know what sealant type to use to re-seal the lid to the ply tank. The lid overlaps the tank by about 50mm.

20-08-2009, 20:57	#2
Christian Van H Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Princeton, NJ Boat: Challenger Anacapa 42 Posts: 1,202	Buna-N rubber gasket comes to mind... __________________ Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged women! "There's nothing . . . absolutely nothing . . . half so much worth doing as simply throwing money at a boat."

21-08-2009, 04:06	#3
GordMay Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 12,576	While Buna-N (Nitrile) gaskets are fully compatible with diesel fuel, any rubber gasket requires considerable clamping pressure (between tank & cover) to make a good seal. If you are using wood screws, driven into your plywood core, I would recommend using a “Polysulfide” (Thiokol) adhesive sealant, like 3M’s “101", BoatLife “Life-Caulk”, Master Bond, & etc. Do NOT use a Polyurethane (3M “5200", Sika-Flex, etc). __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

21-08-2009, 07:00	#5
GordMay Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 12,576	See also ➥ Fuel Tank Acces Ports *"Seabuilt" Access Plate ➥* http://www.seabuilt.com/_pdfs/Instructions.pdf __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

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21-08-2009, 06:34	#4
gonesail Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: north florida st. johns river Boat: caliber 33 jammin Posts: 443	get a seabuilt access plate and you will never need to worry about sealant or leakage or stripped screws.

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