Aluminum Fuel Tank Leaking?
04-30-2020, 04:37 PM
#32
yes, it is a lot of force. I just made some tanks, and pressure tested them @ 3PSI. my tanks are 25" x 81" topside = 6,075 bs of force on that top plate. It bowed out about 2"+
Take that to 5PSI = 10,125 lbs of force, too muchy!
Also, get yourself a regulator to knock down incoming air into the tank. So you initially let ZERO air into the tank and then turn it up until you're just under 3 PSI.
That's a calibrated pressure gauge I have on there to really see what I'm doing. We have tested tanks to just under 6,000PSI here at up to 4" wall thickness. That's a lot of force, and it's no joke even just a few PSI. We do not air test here as that's too much stored force (potential) if something were to burst. The safer way is to hydro test as water is incompressible and has much less stored/potential force. BUT people don't readily own hydro test pumps and setups.
Additionally, I bet 80% of people out there are operating / own those portable air tanks that are out of date. The tanks corrode away and compromise integrity (AKA - explode!). There are safety factors built into the code, but alot of manufacturers reduce wall thickness to nothing, to reduce cost... And one more thing - be weary of air compressors that have been out of operation for periods of time, they can corrode and go boom! when pressurized. Serious stuff not a lot of people think about. (Also remember to bleed / drain your air compressors of water. Some fancy compressors have desiccant systems - better known as air dryers.)
Take that to 5PSI = 10,125 lbs of force, too muchy!
Also, get yourself a regulator to knock down incoming air into the tank. So you initially let ZERO air into the tank and then turn it up until you're just under 3 PSI.
That's a calibrated pressure gauge I have on there to really see what I'm doing. We have tested tanks to just under 6,000PSI here at up to 4" wall thickness. That's a lot of force, and it's no joke even just a few PSI. We do not air test here as that's too much stored force (potential) if something were to burst. The safer way is to hydro test as water is incompressible and has much less stored/potential force. BUT people don't readily own hydro test pumps and setups.
Additionally, I bet 80% of people out there are operating / own those portable air tanks that are out of date. The tanks corrode away and compromise integrity (AKA - explode!). There are safety factors built into the code, but alot of manufacturers reduce wall thickness to nothing, to reduce cost... And one more thing - be weary of air compressors that have been out of operation for periods of time, they can corrode and go boom! when pressurized. Serious stuff not a lot of people think about. (Also remember to bleed / drain your air compressors of water. Some fancy compressors have desiccant systems - better known as air dryers.)
Tim
04-30-2020, 05:33 PM
#33
Registered
Yes, you can certainly do that using city water pressure. Testing anything under pressure is a dangerous game. Be careful out there!!!
You're lucky that tank didn't let go. Something doesn't sound right about your story (on the "inspector's" side that is)... Whoa!
You're lucky that tank didn't let go. Something doesn't sound right about your story (on the "inspector's" side that is)... Whoa!
04-30-2020, 05:44 PM
#34
Anyone who has done work with the city of ny can tell you much better stories. The spec books are from the early 1900's
04-30-2020, 08:58 PM
#35
HOLY S**T do I feel lucky...... Took the boat to the shop today, sealed off hoses, ran smoke test, and found the culprit.
The fuel delivery line had a decent size hole in it. It was hidden between the rear seat wall and engine compartment. There was no smoke coming from the sides of the tank or any of the other fittings but I went ahead and changed the fill hose, vent hose, and of course, the fuel delivery line that had a hole in it. I wanted to also change the anti-siphon valve and pickup tube but the I peered through the sending unit hole and it looked like it was in great shape. Further, the bottom of the tank looked brand new, I was shocked. The tank was also about half way full, where I left it at the end of last season. That's not to say that the underside of the tank hasn't gotten wet or isn't corroded, but I'm hopeful all is well. While in the cuddy I went ahead and scrubbed down and washed out the two front bunks that smelled of gas and had some storm water at the bottom.
I plan on cranking her up on the hose soon while keeping an eye on the fuel system. Hoping I dodged a bullet for now!
The fuel delivery line had a decent size hole in it. It was hidden between the rear seat wall and engine compartment. There was no smoke coming from the sides of the tank or any of the other fittings but I went ahead and changed the fill hose, vent hose, and of course, the fuel delivery line that had a hole in it. I wanted to also change the anti-siphon valve and pickup tube but the I peered through the sending unit hole and it looked like it was in great shape. Further, the bottom of the tank looked brand new, I was shocked. The tank was also about half way full, where I left it at the end of last season. That's not to say that the underside of the tank hasn't gotten wet or isn't corroded, but I'm hopeful all is well. While in the cuddy I went ahead and scrubbed down and washed out the two front bunks that smelled of gas and had some storm water at the bottom.
I plan on cranking her up on the hose soon while keeping an eye on the fuel system. Hoping I dodged a bullet for now!
The following 6 users liked this post by 1986Scarab1:
93 shooter (05-01-2020), 941 (05-01-2020), AllDodge (05-01-2020), Gimme Fuel (05-01-2020), ICDEDPPL (05-01-2020), underpsi68 (04-30-2020)
