oil in bilge

[Ron Hill]

Terry : Take off the port side aft cabin panel.  It takes about 5 minutes and inspect the tank itself and the plywood platform it sits on.  Then you'll know!! 

[Terry Forshier]

I finally got out on the dock Monday and emptied the aft cabin, unscrewed the side pannel and was able to see what was going on. Looking under the pannel into the opening in the floor" I could see some accumulation of fuel. I could also see the side of the shelf (made of plywood) was wet. I stuck a screwdriver between the bottom of the tank and the shelf and lifted. There was no buildup of fuel. Then I put my hand up and felt along the 2 hose clamps holding the fuel line into the tank. They were wet as was the hose. I checked and they were not tight. I tightened them. Then I got a small fuel pump I had and rigged it up and put one end in the fill hole on deck and the other in a 5 gal can and pumped about a cup or so of water out of the hose. (evidently there is a screen in the tank entry in the nipple as the hose would not go further than this.) I suspected the hose was full as I had just filled up and it overfilled.then Cleaned up all fuel traces on the inside of the hull. I started the motor and let it run for an hour in gear at the dock to lower the fuel level in the tank. (It was full into the hose) I put absorbant pads on the floor and left overnight. This morning i could see no trace of seeping fuel under the tank..
I then changed both the racor and the fuel filter on the motor. (naturally spilling both) Started the motor, let it run awhile then cast off for an hours run in the bay. Upon returning I found some trace of fuel and oil but attributed that to my spilling and laack of a really good clean up. I then cleaned all up, and again put down all new absorbant pads and will check after a few days.
I also checked all the fuel line fittings and could find none leaking. Not leaking form either filter. The inspection of the tank did not look like it was leaking. It really looks like new. I suppose this could be deceiving but I put a pad under the tank and left it overnight. No sign of fuel on the pad. Lastly I found that the little hose at the very bottom of the motor that is used for the oil drain was loose and a little oil was seeping there. I tightened that.
I will report in 2 days after ana passes by here. hopefully I will not be buying a new tank.
Terry