[pearson424] leaking fuel tank 424

 

joe shimkonis Mon, Jun 26, 2006 at 7:07 AM
 
Well,I need some advice.I have a leaking fuel tank and it's getting worse.I read somewhere that the procedure is to replace the tank with a new one.You must first pull the engine forward onto the floor in order to remove the tank.Anyone have suggestions and or encouraging comments?
Lee Thurner Mon, Jun 26, 2006 at 7:52 AM
I have done this twice, once on my own boat, Meridian, hull no. 139 and once on Shay, hull no. 90.In both cases we disconnected the engine from everything and unbolted it from its mounts, then rigged it using a short piece of chain and a come-along (cable puller) to a stout piece of wood spanning the companionway.Raised it off its mounts, then used a four-part tackle rigged to the mast (in my case, the boom vang tackle was brought below for this purpose) to swing it forward, then set it on a piece of plywood in the floor of the aft stateroom.Photo attached.

If your wooden fuel tank cradle is like mine, you will have to saw out part of the forward end of it, because you can?t access the screws that hold it together.Once this is done the tank should come out??should? because as we have all found many times, no two 424?s are identical?you will probably have to remove the teak trim around the companionway opening to fit the tank through it.

When Dave Kimmel took the original fuel tank out of Harmony he modified the layout by replacing it with custom-fabricated tanks mounted in the forward ends of the port and starboard sail lockers. By doing this he made good use of space that?s otherwise not very useful, and he freed up a huge space under the cockpit sole that he refers to as ?the garage?.Of all 424 owners I?d bet he has the best access to the steering gear, the rudder post gland, and the aft end of the engine.In the process he gained 20 gallons of fuel capacity and has redundant fuel supply (contaminated fuel in one tank wouldn?t shut him down).I?m sure he?d be glad to share the details.

Lee
Meridian, hull no. 139

Carter, Richard Mon, Jun 26, 2006 at 7:54 AM
JoeThere's some information on my repower website.http://www.richardcarter.net/repower/My_Homepage_Files/Page11.htmlIn my case, I pulled the engine and repowered at the same time. It would be possible to lift the engine and pull it forward out of the way. A couple of other owners did this.

Rich Carter
603-897-2071

Quent Kinderman Mon, Jun 26, 2006 at 8:28 AM
We moved the W-58 forward, and turned it 90 degrees crosswise to access the fuel tank using an engine hoist from Costco. Assembled the hoistjust forward of the engine, facing aft. We then moved the engine in a series of small lifts, moving the engine a few inches, then shortening the boom each time. I think this was safer, withperhaps less colateral damage to the boat. Removing the tank required minor surgery to the aft port corner of the motor bed, but our aluminum tank cleared the mizzensupport beam. We repaired the tank with fiberglass cloth, several layers, in West System epoxy, all over.My impression is that it failed from the inside, numerous pits, several dime sized,were just beginning to penetrate the tank bottom.ABYC permits this kind of repair on non-ferrous tanks, provided the repair material sticks well to the tank. Suggest anyone attempting this follow West System instructions carefully. Quent
Chuck Mon, Jun 26, 2006 at 10:44 AM
I am in the planning stages of repowering.I plan to replace the fuel tank as part of the upgrade.Dave's modification sounds attractive although I think it might restrict access to the through hulls supporting the deck scuppers, plus my refridgeration unit may already be in that spot, but whats a project without 3 more tied into it?I see the main flaw in the tank is not having access to the interior.The ability to get to the bottom of the tank and remove sludge, water, flotsam and such would help prevent a number of issues down the road.My first thought toward replacement was a dual tank that set in the original bed and incorporate deck access plates for cleaning.Dave, do share... Has there ever been a 424 raft up?
Carter, Richard Mon, Jun 26, 2006 at 12:52 PM

Chuck

There have been a couple of rendevous over the years, one at Martha's Vinyard and at least one in the Chessapeke.I'd be interested in meeting again somewhere on Cape Cod again.I'll be there this August if anyone else wants to hook up.I considered installing a pair of saddle tanks too, but chose to continue with the original setup because it works and was easier.If I had setup saddle tanks, I was considering a day-tank.The day-tank is just large enough for a few hours running time.It gets the return line from the fuel injection pump and is fed fromone of themain tanks by a transfer pump.One float switch maintains the tank level in the day tank. A second lower switch activates an alarm if the fuel level in the day-tank gets too low.In theory, if you run one tank dry, you get an alarm before you run the engine dry.You then switch to the second tank.If you get a second alarm, you have a few hours before you are dry.

Rich Carter

David Kimmel Mon, Jun 26, 2006 at 1:27 PM

Having dual tanks is great.

You will have to redo the through hulls for the scuppers but again worth the extra room and access to the engine .

I had access plates installed to clean the tanks and they work great. I happen to be great at finding every place that has bad fuel??..

I would also install a water drain at the bottom of the tank. A yard may not do this for you but you can at least put a drain at the lowest part of the tank so you can get the water out as needed.. No water no alga.

I think I posted the tanks on the website.. I?ll check

David