2005 Broadblue 42 fuel tank repair

[Amihan59]

We have a leaking fuel tank on our 2005 Broadblue 42, hull 6. The tank is stainless steel, 58 gal. Has anyone had to repair a similar tank? It cannot be removed from the boat in one piece. What are my options? Welding? Applying an adhesive sealant? Cutting it up, removing it, and replacing with a plastic tank that can fit through the 19 inch hatch. Thanks.

[Sand crab]

I've had good luck with JB Weld Tankweld. It's an epoxy specially formulated for fuel tanks. I fixed my girlfriends car gas tank and it lasted years, longer than we did.


If you decide to remove it you might want to consider a custom made fuel bladder. This company makes any shape you need and you can probably stuff it down a smaller opening.
http://atlinc.com/marine.html

[tkeithlu]

Whether you're dealing with pin holes in the welds or in the bottom surface, are they accessible? If they are, take Sand Crab's advice as a first try, squeezing the epoxy in through the holes with a spatula. If that fails, then yes, it's time for surgery.

Unfortunately, you may be playing catch up, because if there are a few holes now, there are other thin places just waiting to break through.

[Snore]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

Make sure whatever product you use is food grade. What works on a diesel tank is likely NOT food grade


Why is that important? Many products will cause all sorts of maladies if consumed.

[Allied39]

Originally Posted by Snore

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

Make sure whatever product you use is food grade. What works on a diesel tank is likely NOT food grade


Why is that important? Many products will cause all sorts of maladies if consumed.

And please do not drink your diesel. Oh, and tide washing machine soap pods too.

[rwidman]

You have little to use trying an epoxy as mentioned above. If it doesn't work, you are only out the cost of the product.

If that doesn't work, talk to a couple good boat yards about repair/replacement. Yes you could cut the tank and remove it, but it may be more practical to cut the boat to remove and replace the tank and then patch the boat.

[mvweebles]

Your 58 gallon tank will likely have at least one baffle. I'm not familiar with your boat or the accessibility of the tank. Exterior patches rarely work for long but as others have said, I guess it's worth a try.

If you can get either the top or side, consider installing an access port in each baffled section. You will have to empty the tank, of course, but cleaning the interior extremely well and patching will have a much higher success rate. It's a lousy job, especially working through a small access plate (cough-up the extra dough for larger size).

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/seab...s-plate-system

As far as patch material, I've heard rumor of stuff made for airplane fuel tanks. However, they seem designed to be able to tumble the tank to coat the interior, obviously not an option for an in-situ tank.

Good luck!

Peter

[smj]

I like Sand Crabs idea of the bladder. Couldn’t you cut the top of the tank and install a bladder in the remaining 4 sides and bottom of the existing tank?

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Allied39

And please do not drink your diesel. Oh, and tide washing machine soap pods too.

If you are going to be sarcastic—-Please be accurate.

A few fast googles found the JB Weld is NOT FDA approved.

So my dear sir or madam- my post was rather relevant!

[Sand crab]

What does food grade epoxy have to do with a fuel tank repair?

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

What does food grade epoxy have to do with a fuel tank repair?

I didn't see the relevance either?

[MoodyS]

Wake up!

[Allied39]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I didn't see the relevance either?

I dont know, unless of course you drink your diesel....please please please don't.
Sheesh, no sense of humor at all snore? Thats got to be a suck of an existence.

[Allied39]

Originally Posted by Snore

If you are going to be sarcastic—-Please be accurate.

A few fast googles found the JB Weld is NOT FDA approved.

So my dear sir or madam- my post was rather relevant!

Ok, I'll wade in. Please, dear sir, explain the relevance of FDA approval having anything to do with a diesel tank repair.

I expect you just assumed it was a water tank repair, hey, yeah, you are correct. And have a smile about the mistake, we all make them.

For the OP. No one has mentioned that stainless can be soldered. A permanent fix....depending of course where the hole is, if there are more holes about to appear etc etc etc. But the point is, soldering stainless can be done, do it all the time and might, or might not, be something that will work for you.
The right flux is the trick. Oh, and the old 50/50 lead tin mix is by far the better material. DOH....but that may of course not be good for digestion......

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Allied39

Ok, I'll wade in. Please, dear sir, explain the relevance of FDA approval having anything to do with a diesel tank repair.

I expect you just assumed it was a water tank repair, hey, yeah, you are correct. And have a smile about the mistake, we all make them.

For the OP. No one has mentioned that stainless can be soldered. A permanent fix....depending of course where the hole is, if there are more holes about to appear etc etc etc. But the point is, soldering stainless can be done, do it all the time and might, or might not, be something that will work for you.
The right flux is the trick. Oh, and the old 50/50 lead tin mix is by far the better material. DOH....but that may of course not be good for digestion......

I loved the last little bit of wry humor.