1974 Mako fuel leak....

[generallee01]

Recently I got a few gallons of gas in the bilge, over a few days I let it drain into a bucket and then siphoned the gas off the top of the water. I would say a total of maybe 6-7 gallons. I removed the console and cover and found the fill and vent lines VERY badly disintigrated. The aluminum tank "looks" very clean, and looking inside it it looks brand new!. I'm getting no more fuel in the bilge, and I suspect that after filling the boat, a bunch of fuel had leaked out of the hoses and thats what I found in the bilge. I'm reluctant to pull the tank and have to re-foam and all that if its just the stupid hoses that were bad. It seemed pretty obvious to me but I'd hate to reinstall the console and still have a problem. Whatever was leaking is not anymore. Are these aluminum tanks bad?

 

[generallee01]

Re: 1974 Mako fuel leak....

This boat has just recently went back in the water after sitting for 4 years. I have only taken it out 3 or 4 times...So it is very possible that it is just the hoses...as the leak didnt present until I filled it....and it did have gas in it....

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1974 Mako fuel leak....

I have a 1974 and I changed the fill hose last year, the hose I pulled out was dated 1985, someone had changed them before me, they only last so long.

On the tank, Grady installed them wrong, alum ( and stainless) tanks should not be foamed in place due to crevice corrosion.
So it should come out and be done correctly, you might find corrosion on the bottom edges. Nothing should contact the alum, it needs air circulation all around.

This is the correct method with explanation.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1974 Mako fuel leak....

The aluminum tank "looks" very clean, and looking inside it it looks brand new!

Ayuh,... The only way to Know is to pressure test it,... Say 3/5psi overnight...

 

[generallee01]

Re: 1974 Mako fuel leak....

So all the foam should come out huh? Do I have to make up for lack of flotation somewhere else? Also can I pressure test it with gas still in it? -P