Diesel Fuel in the Bilge

[jrgrabmeier]

Uncovering the boat this week, I find that all the diesel fuel from the tank (it was full)is now in the bilge.  Since the tank is now empty and since it obviously has had some time to evaporate it's trail, I am unable to locate how it came out of the tank.  Since there was no diesel in the pan under the engine, the problem apparently was not in the fuel filter on the engine.  Uncovering the tank it does not appear to be coming from the tank itself or any of the fittings attached thereto.  The only suspect is the white filter between the tank and the engine (accessed thru the head access panel)  Yet there is not any fuel leaking out at this time and hull beneath the filter does not appear to be overly covered with oil - - - although it may have dried up.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[Dave Veenhuis]

I had a similar problem.  I found two causes.  The elbow on top of the tank for the return line was very loose.  The other was the return line had chafed where it touched the fiberglass supporting the tank.  I replaced all my fuel lines and solved the problem.

[dsavary]

I had the exact same experience with my C34 #1138 1991. My leak was traced to the fuel tank welded seam on the bottom of tank. Boat/US took care of everything but the tank replacement. instead of using the factory tank I elected to have mine fabricated out of a heavier gauge aluminum and I had them add brackets on the bottom so that the tank did not sit on the plywood shelf.