Fuel bladder

D

deltabighat

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exMember
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Aug 17, 2004
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My 24ft Bayliner Trophy looks to have a fuel tank leak. It's a 1995. My options I am told is to remove the engine or cut the cockpit deck as the tank is sealed under the cockpit flooring. Someone told me today that in airplanes, they have collapsible bladders that fit thru small openings in the old tank, are filled with high pressure air to expand the bladder to fit all corners of the old tank and then used as a New
fuel tank. Anyone ever here of this?

Dbh
 
So far, all of the fuel tanks that I have seen opened, and the new ones being built, all had baffles in them.
 
All tanks have baffles... This is not going to work.
 
Just as you describe, I think Mike Rowe was involved with replacing a fuel bladder on a military(?) aircraft on Dirty Jobs.
But as wise men above point out, trying this with your boat tanks would likely be a baffling experience.
 
Could you perhaps put a new tank forward under the V-berth? The make V-shaped inflatable fuel bladders that could do the trick. Might be worth it in your situation.
 
At about 6 pounds per gallon, that could be a lot of weight in the bow of a 24ft boat if the tank is decent size.
 
The boat of which I know, of similar size, did that used the trim taps to compensate.
 
Trim tabs will push the bow down by creating lift at the stern. They can't create lift at the bow...

I don't like the idea of a soft fuel tank at the bow... Lots of banging, high risk of leaks
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

All tanks have baffles... This is not going to work.

Click to expand...


Not so. I had an old Formula F233. I removed the deck and the tank. The tank did not have baffles. 85 Gallons.
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

All tanks have baffles... This is not going to work.

Click to expand...


Not so. I had an old Formula F233. I removed the deck and the tank. The tank did not have baffles. 85 Gallons.

Click to expand...


You are correct. It's not uncommon for smaller tanks in smaller boats to not have baffles.
 
Or just open the access plate (or gauge hole) and use a piece of stiff wire to poke around
 
I'm not even sure if the bladder/liner is really even an option. I would think it would have to be made to fit the specific size and dimensions of the tank it is going into. I can't see how sticking a bladder into and tank and just filling it with air would get it to mold itself to the shape of the tank and stay like that after the air pressure is removed.
 
Personally, even if you can insert a bladder it seems akin to using band-aids to treat a heart attack to me.

I'd do it right and remove the old tank and put in a new one. The glass work isn't all that hard.

Bob
 
Pulling a gas engine is not a big deal, pull it, repair or replace the tank and you are good to go for years.
The logistics of setting up the fuel fill and vents with a bladder in the old tank or replacing the old tank don't compute.
Do it right the first time, it is gasoine after all.
 
Cut the deck, pull the failed tank, clean up any foam, remove hoses and clamps. Install new coated tank with new sending unit, hoses & clamps. Before deck is re-installed make sure the tank is properly grounded and be ready for another twenty years of boating.
 
quote:
Originally posted by absolute

Cut the deck, pull the failed tank, clean up any foam, remove hoses and clamps. Install new coated tank with new sending unit, hoses & clamps. Before deck is re-installed make sure the tank is properly grounded and be ready for another twenty years of boating.

Click to expand...


+1.

Depending on the year, the deck is glass over plywood. Removal, replacement and redecking is not hard and may be quicker.

Additionally, if you have a leak, that gas had to go somewhere. Some of it may be in the foam.
 
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