replacing starboard diesel tank

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  • September 14, 2011 4:12 AM
    Message # 699200
    Deleted user
    Could anyone familiar with the procedure of removing and replacing a diesel tank describe the process?

    I have a leak in my starboard diesel tank. Most of the diesel has been siphoned out, but the tank is going to have to be pulled eventually and either welded or I've heard Bud sells aluminum replacements.
  • September 14, 2011 4:46 AM
    Reply # 699209 on 699200
    Deleted user

    Nathan,

            I wouldn't recommend that you go thru all this work and reinstall the original tank.  We were also faced with replacing the STBD tank the first year we had Namida.  Not exactly something that you look forward to on a very hot and humid August day;-)  Good news and bad news (sort of)...   First, Bud is a great resource and can get you the tank you need.  I found that his pricing is actually cheaper than if you went directly to the guy who makes up the tanks.  With any luck, you will only have to change the tank once, so take your time and do a good job.  The tank you install will be aluminum (regardless of what you took out).  The secret to a long tank life is to keep it from sitting in water, keep water out of it, and ensure that it doesn't become a catalyst for stray currents / dissimilar metals.  Installing some rubber strips under the new tank on installation (tack in place with some 3M 5200) will keep water from collecting under the tank on the shelf.  Be sure that the tank is grounded and finally keep it full of fuel as much as possible to minimize the amount of air space in the tank for condensation.

        Now for the not so good stuff.  Namida has a Perkins 4-108 which makes the squeeze a bit tight, but I was able to remove the old tank and install the new one with a minimim amount of equipment removal.  If I recall correctly, I had to remove the mushroom air intake (for the Perkins) and a set of house batteries that I have on the STBD side.  It takes a bit of turning, twisting and pushing, but it will go in.  Not a case of just unbolting it and heaving it to and fro.  Depending on the equipment you have, your situation may be different.  I was relieved to discover that I didn't have to disassemble or remove the engine to get it in..

    Good luck.  You will feel quite a sense of accomplishment when you finish.

    Now, when you are done, install a set of tanks in a W42....   There's a real project;-)

    Mike & Jenny

        

  • September 14, 2011 7:48 AM
    Reply # 699318 on 699200
    Anonymous
    Nathan Langford wrote:Could anyone familiar with the procedure of removing and replacing a diesel tank describe the process?

    I have a leak in my starboard diesel tank. Most of the diesel has been siphoned out, but the tank is going to have to be pulled eventually and either welded or I've heard Bud sells aluminum replacements.



    I'll second buying a new tank from Bud.  He'll include the install procedure for you too. 

    We replaced our tanks with the motor removed.  Not sure how easy it would be with the motor still in the boat.  You may have to cut away some of your shelf or liner to get the old tank out.  The new tanks fit easily into place even though they look like they won't.  We had to remove the cockpit drains to slide them into place properly. 

    You can see some of the install we had here: 

    Of course, like I said, we had the motor out at the time, so your mileage may vary. 
  • September 14, 2011 8:23 PM
    Reply # 699845 on 699200
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Nathen: 

    2 years ago, during my repower and after the Volvo was removed - I removed both SS fuel tanks for service.  I struggled to remove the tanks even with the engine removed. ( I'll assume you have the engine liner and that the tanks are tapered to about 2" wide at the bottom in a W32 and about 35 gallons each. )

    I even had to remove the corners of the liner, turn the tank vertically against the hull and then it just slid down into the engine area - no way w/o sawing the tank apart would the tank have come out with the engine in place.  

    Jay

  • September 14, 2011 9:48 PM
    Reply # 699900 on 699200
    Deleted user

    Nathan,

    We replaced a leaking steel starboard tank last year. We did it with the engine (Perkins M50) in place. I think this engine is a bit larger than most. The old tank could not be removed in one piece. I cut it out with a saws-all. First I cut a hole in the side to clean out the sludge (a bag of kitty litter worked great), then cut it in half lengthwise. Bud sent us drawings of the tank he supplies and after some measuring, I did not think it could be installed with the engine in. We built a mock-up out of hardboard and duct tape. It would not go in. We cut down the mock-up until it would fit. We ended up taking the mock-up to a local marine welder who built a tank to match. Our tank ended up being 30 gallons instead of 35.

  • September 15, 2011 10:06 AM
    Reply # 700352 on 699200
    Anonymous
    The port tank on my boat popped a leak a few years back, and getting it out was tough!  I was hoping that it could be patched (turns out it couldn't) so I didn't want to cut it up to remove it.  It took two of us hours to get it out -- I haven't replaced it, so I don't know how hard it will be to get a new one in when the time comes.  Not looking forward to it!!
  • September 15, 2011 12:14 PM
    Reply # 700464 on 699200
    Deleted user
    wow, looks like I have some hard work ahead of me.
  • September 15, 2011 1:19 PM
    Reply # 700544 on 699318
    Tate McDaniel wrote:
    I'll second buying a new tank from Bud.  He'll include the install procedure for you too...  

    I can't help notice that we haven't heard from Bud with regard to this issue. (Considering there are potential sales at stake, I find that somewhat surprising.)

    As for the "install procedure" to which your refer, and in lieu of various comments throughout this thread... should one assume that a) said procedure includes removal of the engine, and/or b) cutting up the tanks prior to removal? Has anyone purchased one of Bud's tanks and aware of the answer to this question?

    Jack
  • September 15, 2011 2:12 PM
    Reply # 700590 on 700544
    Anonymous
    Jack Webb wrote:
    I can't help notice that we haven't heard from Bud with regard to this issue. (Considering there are potential sales at stake, I find that somewhat surprising.)

    As for the "install procedure" to which your refer, and in lieu of various comments throughout this thread... should one assume that a) said procedure includes removal of the engine, and/or b) cutting up the tanks prior to removal? Has anyone purchased one of Bud's tanks and aware of the answer to this question?

    Jack


    Jack, 

    I know Bud is preparing for a rendezvous/engine install in Canada which could explain his absence.  

    To answer your questions... I went back into my email, documents and notes. 

    a)  It does not call for removal of the engine.  As some others have stated, it is possible to do with the motor still in. 

    b)  The instructions talk about cutting through the shelves or liner to get the tank out but not actual destruction of the tanks themselves. 

    Finally, I have purchased 2 tanks from Bud.  And I am aware of the answers.  :) 

    Tate
  • September 15, 2011 2:28 PM
    Reply # 700613 on 700590
    Tate McDaniel wrote:
    Jack, 

    I know Bud is preparing for a rendezvous/engine install in Canada which could explain his absence.  

    To answer your questions... I went back into my email, documents and notes. 

    a)  It does not call for removal of the engine.  As some others have stated, it is possible to do with the motor still in. 

    b)  The instructions talk about cutting through the shelves or liner to get the tank out but not actual destruction of the tanks themselves. 

    Finally, I have purchased 2 tanks from Bud.  And I am aware of the answers.  :) 

    Tate

    Thank you, Tate. I have a feeling that this is on my forthcoming agenda and I, too, was wondering what was in store. I do NOT wish to pull the engine, unless it's for a rebuild.

    Jack
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