Help Gas tank leak

seasun

Recruit
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
1
Help Gas tank leak

I have a 100 gls aluminum tank with a leak<br />Is there any product to seal the aluminun from the out side?
 

Jack Shellac

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Messages
1,661
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

I don't know of any off-the-shelf product that you would want to use and then have the tank in the boat with you. Is it under the deck? I participated in a USCG survey on leaking, underdeck aluminum tanks and the results were scary. It can be a very dangerous situation.
 

BigBabyLou

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 9, 2002
Messages
129
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

SeaSun, replace the whole tank, don't try to fix it. It's not worth losing your life.<br />What boat do you have? It might not be that difficult to do (if you decide to take care of it yourself).<br /><br />Lou
 

93evinrude

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
154
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

This is not a suggestion to use the product but just a reference to a product that is supposed to be able to seal leaks.<br />Always remember that a leak in a fuel tank can be a very dangerous situation and if you decide to repair it,be very careful and check it regularly.It is always best to replace the tank and depending on the boat may not be too difficult.<br /> http://www.marinetex.com/marine_tex.htm
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

Marinetex ought to be in every boaters tool box. When cured it is like steel and will even harden under water. It is great for any repair. Having said that I would never - - repeat - - never attempt to repair a leaky fuel tank from the outside. Even if you managed to make the repair the fact that it leaks in one place means that it is ready to let go in another.
 

Beaux

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
390
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

DON"T REPAIR FROM OUTSIDE! I had the same situation on a 1976 24' searay cuddy with I/O....got lucky to find the problem before what would have been referred to as "my little hiroshima". I had a guy down here custom build me a pressure tested SS tank for about the same price as a prefab alumimun. <br /> There is a big BUT: after replacing the tank, the leak still persisted, got really bummed, had the guy pull the tank for free(even though it was pressure tested before installation), turned out to be a leak in the fuel line. Problem solved.<br />From your post, it sounds like you haven't had the chance to pull tank and inspect so don't forget to check lines and supply fittings. Good Luck
 

oldboat1

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
9,612
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

It's a judgment call, but I think I would try the Marine-Tex if you can get at the leak -- particularly if it's on the side or top, and if you can check it periodically to see if the fix worked without first leaking gas into the bilge.<br /><br />But be safe....
 

chumbucket

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 12, 2001
Messages
320
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

Seasun, How old is the tank ??
 

taz33911

Seaman
Joined
Aug 19, 2002
Messages
68
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

If you can get the tank out have it fixed if you can't get somebody to do it for you ,sorry guys but gas leaks will kill you in a boat only takes a spark starting the engine is all it takes.the last boat I had caught fire the only good thing about that was it was in my yard test running the engine. It had a leak at the carb.got it out before it got to the tank a lot of boats have fuel fill lines running in the bilge area or tank next to the bilge 100 gals. of fuel makes a big bang.I build boats for a living and hope nobody plays around with fuel leak.boats are meant to be for fun ,fishing or relaxing not to get killed.
 

chumbucket

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 12, 2001
Messages
320
Re: Help Gas tank leak

Re: Help Gas tank leak

Seasun, For peice of mind i replaced my 65 gal tank in 82 Grady this spring. No way was that boat going in water with gas leak. That fiberglass burns real quick. RDS out of Perry Fla. Even with shipping $ 100 cheaper than locals. Fit like glove, all to factory specs.
 
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