Mystery fuel leak 2003 MKII Plastic tank
So I had a fuel leak this past weekend. I was making a 150 mile trip between Kingston and Toronto Ontario. Before leaving I filled the tank so full that it came out of overflow valve on transom (not intentional). I started my trip with two hours of motoring before sailing on a port tack with some waves and 15 knots of wind. After several hours of sailing I noticed that some diesel ha been leaking out of tank. Because of the healing angle some of the diesel ended up traversing corner of the aft wall to underneath aft cabin and along the side of the prop shaft and ended up coming out the side of engine compartment onto aft cabin floor. I inspected all hoses and everything looks intact and tight. My best guess is that the diesel might be coming out of gasket under fuel valve at top of tank? After cleaning and inspecting I did not have any more leaks once I burned off another 30 litres of fuel (7 gal?). seems like a full tank issue. I have attached pics. Red indicates the area the diesel came out from behind the wood access covers.
Any tips on trying to trouble shoot and find the leak? My thought was to try and fill again to max levels and recreate the problem by going for a sail on a port tack, this time with no bedding and cushions to soak it up. Then I can be down there and see it happen. Is this a bad idea? It's a plastic tank. Would love to know what you would do.
There is always something
So I had a fuel leak this past weekend. I was making a 150 mile trip between Kingston and Toronto Ontario. Before leaving I filled the tank so full that it came out of overflow valve on transom (not intentional). I started my trip with two hours of motoring before sailing on a port tack with some waves and 15 knots of wind. After several hours of sailing I noticed that some diesel ha been leaking out of tank. Because of the healing angle some of the diesel ended up traversing corner of the aft wall to underneath aft cabin and along the side of the prop shaft and ended up coming out the side of engine compartment onto aft cabin floor. I inspected all hoses and everything looks intact and tight. My best guess is that the diesel might be coming out of gasket under fuel valve at top of tank? After cleaning and inspecting I did not have any more leaks once I burned off another 30 litres of fuel (7 gal?). seems like a full tank issue. I have attached pics. Red indicates the area the diesel came out from behind the wood access covers.
Any tips on trying to trouble shoot and find the leak? My thought was to try and fill again to max levels and recreate the problem by going for a sail on a port tack, this time with no bedding and cushions to soak it up. Then I can be down there and see it happen. Is this a bad idea? It's a plastic tank. Would love to know what you would do.
There is always something