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Post by Tafika II on Sept 30, 2013 15:52:05 GMT
After returning from a day sail, I noticed a strong diesel fuel smell. No fuel in the bilges and no leaks around or on the engine. I checked the fuel tank under the aft berth and all of the entry plates with the various electric and hose connections where dry, as were the hoses to & from the genset, the vent tube and the deck fill; however, there is a drain plug on the forward lower port side of the tank (see picture) and there was a few ounces of fuel puddled in this area. I assumed the drain plug may have vibrated loose over 5 years. It doesn't take must to permeate the smell. I cleaned up the fuel, thoroughly washed out the area and slowly and carefully tightened the plug about 1/3 turn. No more fuel leak after a sea trial. I checked the parts list and the plug does not show, so I could not determine if it screws directly into the plastic tank or into a threaded bushing; thus the need to take care when tightening. I assume it has a gasket washer, but I could not see one. Draining the take at this time was not an option as I just filled it and that type of operation is above my pay grade. Has anyone experience a leak in this area?  Attachment Deleted |
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Post by Mistroma on Sept 30, 2013 20:54:01 GMT
Never had a problem with the drain plug on my 2009 42DS. I do know that there's a small sump in the tank bottom just where the plug is fitted. I have pumped this out 2-3 times via the level sensor hole. Never removed much gunge and try to minimise freq. of this check in case I have problems re-sealing.
I'm starting winter checks and will look at the sump plug, thanks for the reminder. I haven't looked at it for 18 months.
The drain plug would be a good idea apart from the fact that the tank sits on the hull. So totally useless as a drain because there's no room to get anything underneath.
I considered replacing it with a valve and tubing. However, all I'd get would be risk of a major leak and still need a pump to remove any crud. I might fit a dip leg from the top and reaching into this small sump. Less risky wrt leaking but still needs a valve & pump.
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Post by Seagem on Oct 2, 2013 7:50:54 GMT
I have had a similar problem with fuel in this area on my 42i but it has only happened when I have overfilled the fuel tank. I suspect it is coming from the vent tube but I have been unable to confirm this. I checked everywhere and could not see any leaks. I cleaned up the fuel and went sailing and when I returned found more fuel in the same area. I cleaned this up and have not had any further problems. I now take care not to overfill the tank and it has not happened since.
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Post by Tafika II on Oct 2, 2013 14:58:35 GMT
Hi Mistroma and Seagem!
Thanks for your postings. I thought of getting rid the the plug and adding a drain also, but it doesn't look practical. I am having a second fuel tank added this year or next on the port side instead of the water tank (I have a watermaker), so I will address this issue with the tank builder for a possible solution.
I went sailing again on Sunday and yesterday evening and all is dry. I'll keep checking but I am sure I will smell it as soon as anything happens
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Post by cloud9 on Oct 16, 2013 8:38:42 GMT
I have a 2011 39DS and have the a similar problem with diesel gathering in the same place, only occurs after we have her heeled and there is over 3/4 diesel in tank, placing kitchen paper around the top of the tank we have traced the diesel leak to the outlets on top of the tank , under warranty Jeanneau resealed all tank outlets ,
and it appeared a sound repair , however the diesel leak is back. our first opinion was the leak was from the drain plug but the tracers directed us clearly to the source . If we run with half tank diesel no problem but
that only restricts range etc. has any forum members had sililar on top of tank . Thanks
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Post by Tafika II on Oct 16, 2013 14:12:26 GMT
WE have no leak from the top of the tank. It was definitely from the loose drain plug. After tightening, the leak is gone. I've added to check the drain plug to my quarterly maintenance check list. You should be able to run the tank 100% full, so it sounds as if Jeanneau has not really fixed the problem.
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Post by Seagem on Oct 16, 2013 18:16:21 GMT
Cloud9, Your experience is the same as mine. Everything is fine until I go sailing with a full tank and get her heeled over but I cannot see or understand where it is coming from other than the breather pipe or the filler pipe. I now try not to fill the tank more than three quarters full. I have some cheap disposable baby nappies on board to soak up any spillages.
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Post by cloud9 on Oct 17, 2013 8:01:51 GMT
We have clearly sourced the leak to the oulets / services on top of the tank. as previous we where convinced
it was the drain plug, by fixing coloured kitchen paper around the top of the tank , filling tank and sailing for a weekend the lines of Diesel leaking from the top running down the sides of the tank into the small well could be seen.
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dan
Full Member
Posts: 31
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Post by dan on Oct 21, 2013 5:28:17 GMT
Yes exactly the same problem as we had on our 42i.
When the boat was new we had cabin heating fitted and the people who fitted it made a right bodge up of fitting the fuel pick up pipe.
I didn't find this for several years, so as you can imagine there was a lot of thick dirty fuel sloshing around the tank.
As an aside to this we also had, this year, a small amount of fuel in the bilge area. This only happened when fully fuelled. It transpired this was coming from the top of a filter housing bleed screw. I nipped it up and all is fine.
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Post by huggall on Mar 27, 2014 17:54:54 GMT
After returning from a day sail, I noticed a strong diesel fuel smell. No fuel in the bilges and no leaks around or on the engine. I checked the fuel tank under the aft berth and all of the entry plates with the various electric and hose connections where dry, as were the hoses to & from the genset, the vent tube and the deck fill; however, there is a drain plug on the forward lower port side of the tank (see picture) and there was a few ounces of fuel puddled in this area. I assumed the drain plug may have vibrated loose over 5 years. It doesn't take must to permeate the smell. I cleaned up the fuel, thoroughly washed out the area and slowly and carefully tightened the plug about 1/3 turn. No more fuel leak after a sea trial. I checked the parts list and the plug does not show, so I could not determine if it screws directly into the plastic tank or into a threaded bushing; thus the need to take care when tightening. I assume it has a gasket washer, but I could not see one. Draining the take at this time was not an option as I just filled it and that type of operation is above my pay grade. Has anyone experience a leak in this area? View AttachmentHad the same problem on our SO37. I emptied the tank, fitted a new o-ring and tightened the screw. I was also concerned about tightening to much in case of just plastic. I ended up with tightening quite hard. By the tightness I applied I believe there must be an inside nut. I also have leakage from the tank outlets on top. I found the screws were loose and bolt holes damaged due to too high tightening from fabrication. This is not yet repaired. I will try one size larger screws and new gasket. Any experience on this anyone? |
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Post by Trevor on Mar 28, 2014 1:31:19 GMT
Hello Huggall,
Yes I have read of the fuel leaking issue on this forum thinking I was lucky I didn't have that problem. The only problem was I did have that problem when I finally checked as a part of a heater installation I did about a year ago.
I cleaned the mating surfaces with acetone and used a gasket compound to seal them. That did solve the problem.
Regards,
Trevor
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Post by huggall on Mar 30, 2014 17:29:06 GMT
Thanks, can I ask what compound you used?
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Post by Trevor on Mar 31, 2014 10:45:17 GMT
Hello Huggall The sealant was Stag Jointing compound.  It seems to be very good at handling diesel fuel providing the mating surfaces are very clean (hence the use of acetone) prior to applying the compound. I hope this helps. Regards, Trevor |
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Post by huggall on Apr 9, 2014 19:34:55 GMT
Hello Huggall The sealant was Stag Jointing compound. It seems to be very good at handling diesel fuel providing the mating surfaces are very clean (hence the use of acetone) prior to applying the compound. I hope this helps. Regards, Trevor Thanks Trevor! Unfortunately no hits on Norwegian pages, so I'll have to find an alternative. Regards, Torbjørn |
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