Ok have been getting water in my fuel tank. I have replaced all fuel sending unit gasket, o-ring on fuel fill. So now next thing is a pressure test. My dealer does not have the equipment to do it so need to find someone who can. Is there anyone that does fuel tank pressure testing in the Charleston area. Thanks for your help.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
I would check with a few automotive shops around you and see if any of them have an evap smoke machine. They are a real popular tool used to check car gas tanks for small leaks when they start setting evap purge codes. It creates a fog and you just look for where the fog is escaping.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude
How is you tank vented? I had one that got water in the tank from a vent. I went with a longer hose and ran the vent line higher than the vent with a good loop to stop water entry.
If it was your tank leaking and letting water in, it would also let fuel out.
If you still need to pressurize your tank you should be able to adapt a radiator pressure tester to it.
You can put air into the tank under pressure and use soap and water mixed in a spray bottle and spray the seems,fittings ,if you can get to the whole tank spray it all over and check for bubbles.You can maybe do the same with the lines.
Kinda like putting the soap on a tire bead or putting the tire in water to find a leak.
Double D.
Also, if you are using gas with ethanol added, it can separate and somehow draw/attract water/moisture into your system unless you are using it up pretty quickly. If you’re using ethanol gas try one of the treatments specifically designed for it and don’t leave it in your tank for very long. My mechanic says “don’t use ethanol if you can possibly avoid it”. I trust his opinion. He deals with ethanol damage a lot. Says it messes up a lot of boat engines.
I had problems with water in my tank and like you I figured I needed to pressure test the tank for the point of entry. I first rigged up a sharader valve on the fuel line at the fuel filter. I couldn?t get any pressure in the tank. All the air was escaping around the gas filler cap. It seems I had one of those EPA type filler spouts that have the vent in the filler. I figured if air could get out then water could get in. I got some wooden dowels at Lowes (they have various sizes sold by the foot). I plugged the vent hose and the filler hose and pumped it up to 4 PSIG and let it sit for 3 or 4 hours, it held pressure just fine. I got on the internet and found a good quality stainless steel filler spout and a flush mount overboard vent with a P trap type loop. No more water problems.
BTW, does your gas supplier us an above ground storage tank?
ZX
Oh and one other thing. I tested the water I pumped out of my tank with an ohm meter set on the million ohm scale. There was almost no conduction meaning It was fresh (rain water not sea water). Hope this helps, water in the gas is a pain in the —!
ZX
quote:
Originally posted by Double DYou can put air into the tank under pressure and use soap and water mixed in a spray bottle and spray the seems,fittings ,if you can get to the whole tank spray it all over and check for bubbles.You can maybe do the same with the lines.
Kinda like putting the soap on a tire bead or putting the tire in water to find a leak.Double D.
If you go this do it yourself route, please, for your safety, DO NOT put more than 2 or 3 PSI into the tank. That is more than enough to check it for leaks. If you do find leaks, take it to someone who knows how to properly repair it, or bite the bullet and have it replaced.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
quote:I agree with you on the safety issue. I only suggested this way because I use to work at a boat manufactor and that was the job I had.
Originally posted by Happy Bobquote:
Originally posted by Double DYou can put air into the tank under pressure and use soap and water mixed in a spray bottle and spray the seems,fittings ,if you can get to the whole tank spray it all over and check for bubbles.You can maybe do the same with the lines.
Kinda like putting the soap on a tire bead or putting the tire in water to find a leak.Double D.
If you go this do it yourself route, please, for your safety, DO NOT put more than 2 or 3 PSI into the tank. That is more than enough to check it for leaks. If you do find leaks, take it to someone who knows how to properly repair it, or bite the bullet and have it replaced.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Double D.
All thanks for the advice. I have a gunnel mounted vent fuel fill. It is a combo one. Have not the past two time I washed the boat put paper towels in the fuel fill and boat time they have come out dry. So I think it is my fuel sending unit. I just replaced the gasket on it, but want the tank tested. I don’t trust myself to do this on so am looking for a shop to do it for me. Thanks you again.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
we pressure test tanks
we never put more than 1 psi in the tank
cost depends on how difficult it is to get to the hose fittings to remove them so we can cap the tank
Chris I called there today and was told you don’t do it. Boat is at my dealer getting some other issues taken care of, but will call when done there.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
Let us know what the issue was.
Double D.
cobia
I just spoke with our parts guy
he didn’t know we did that
At the auto shop we are pressure testing tanks to LESS than 3psi.
The rig has a vent that wont let it go over 3 psi.
It seems that 4 cars within the dealer network caught fire last year, so now we only use smoke or nitrogen. Please dont set your boat on fire!
Key West 2300cc Mercury 225 optimax “Fish Tale”