[Eric Howell]

Rob Schepis wrote:

Surprised the “hired professionals” didn’t propose the option to you…

I gave up on that yard 8-10 years ago. A lot of errors….. not just the decks.
I do a lot of DIY but cutting into pristine decks with a high probability of incorrect location makes me squirm. The yard I use now says they’ll domit when repairs are needed and they’ll make water tight hatches then.

[Eric Howell]

Rob Schepis wrote:

So you replaced the tanks in ’06. Was a new deck glassed in over the tanks at that time?

Yes, I had a new deck made. Unfortunately I didn’t know enough at the time to ask for access hatches to the fuel pickups and returns. That’s caused me heartache ever since.

[Eric Howell]

Rob Schepis wrote:

I’m confused about access to the top of your tanks — you say there is no access under the solid deck yet you also noted that you ran clear tubing FROM the tank ??

Sorry about that Rob

I have a 2’ clear hose that I connected to the end of the hose that runs from the fuel tank(s) and then connected the other end of the clear hose to the fuel selector valve. Basically patched it in. I can’t access the tank side of the fuel hose, just the fuel selector valve side.

I hope that makes more sense.

[Eric Howell]

TJ wrote:

The reason I ask is I worked on a Tolley craft maybe 12-15 years ago that was a gas to diesel conversion. The pick up tube’s had very small holes drilled about 1.5 in. Down from the top. ( was told they were for anti-siphon reasons on a gas engine. )

Is it possible for you to hook up a deck mounted feed tank maybe 5 gallons for a quick test?(Just be sure not to overflow your onboard tank with the return.)

Thanks TJ. She’s always been diesel, but I did repower her with the 6BTA a dozen years ago. I also had new tanks installed then (‘06). I think your idea about a deck tank is a good one. I have a 5 gal diesel jerrycan I can use.

[Eric Howell]

Oh wow. That gauge set up looks great. Yes, I can get air to the dock.
I wish I read this before installing the new filters. The schematic on one of the filters showed 3/4 turn, which I could not do even with a wrench. I am going back to the hand tight method you’ve mentioned.

I did vacuum test the filters but I’m not sure it told me anything. I shut off the fuel inlet at the primer bulb and ran the engine until about 7” of vacuum showed on the gauges. I then shut down the engine to see if the 7” would drop. After an hour less than an inch difference (6-7” showed after an hour). I’m just wondering if there’s a leak somewhere other than the filters, earlier in the system and the bubbles are too small to see until they collect in the filters and then come out in globs… if that makes any sense.

I’m worried my pick ups at the tank have an issue, and of course they’re under the solid, no acces, deck.

[Eric Howell]

Thank you Rob for the response. I do have thread pipe oozing out of the connections, but not nearly has pretty as yours. I also used sealant on the vac gauges and the bungs for the ports not used by the vac gauges. I don’t see any signs of leakage, but it must be there somewhere.

For testing, I ran the clear tubing between the tank and fuel selector valve (no air), between the fuel selector valve and the primary filters (no air) and the between the primary filters and engine (+ air, pea sized bubbles every few seconds).

I also changed all of the fuel hoses except the tank to the fuel valve (those hoses are under the deck and would require cutting it up to access).

Thanks.

[Author]

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