Petrol gauge gasket

Daniel · 13 May 2004, 19:28

Anyone know what material (rubber) this needs to be made of and where to obtain one?

During the Scilies trip i developed a substantial fuel leak which was traced to where the fuel gauge enters the tank. I've removed the gauge this evening and the gasket is shot.

The 'flange' is about 2" in diamater and has 5 stud's sticking out from the tank. The gasket, therefore is 2" diamater with a 1.25" hole in the middle and 5 holes in it...

My thoughts are to phone Osprey in the morning, but other suggestions welcome...

gavin · 13 May 2004, 21:11

We run a 55 ltr cann marine tank in our console, the filler cap has a gasket made of cork, do you ever see those place mats made of cork, I am wondering could you make one, until you get a new rubber one

Daniel · 13 May 2004, 23:46

Thanks, Best idea so far... if i can't get anything i try it.

Naked Dave · 14 May 2004, 00:15

Daniel

If you just need a temporary measure, try hypalon blue gasket sealer. It comes in a tube and is "blue" in colour. Halfords or similar should have it in.

If you do use a cork gasket ( and I think it is a top idea) make sure you smear it well (both sides) with vaseline to stop it shrinking, otherwise you will be back to square one!

Good luck!

Rogue Wave · 14 May 2004, 02:31

There is a good rubber supplier (why did I just say that!) near us It's called portsdown Rubber and they know stuff about rubber.

dya want me to get you a but of fuel resistant wubber

Cheers

nik · 14 May 2004, 12:29

Quote:

try hypalon blue gasket sealer

I believe it is called hylomar. Also what about silicone rubber? Never tried it with petrol, but it seems resiliant.
nick.

Graham H · 14 May 2004, 14:04

I wouldent use anything out of a tube near the fuel tank , if any drops in the tank while puting the screws back in it may get draged up the fuel line causing even moor problems
Graham

Bilge Rat · 14 May 2004, 14:17

Hi Daniel

I cut an inspection hatch in the top of my fuel tank many moons ago so i could periodically check the inside, and if need be do any work on the inside of the fuel tank, i had a circular stainless plate cut to size and lots of holes drilled around the outside and inserts welding on the inside to take the bolts.....we used a thin sheet of cork to make a gasket and cut this to fit the entire circumference of the hatch, its still there and is still functioning correctly to this day.

TIM · 14 May 2004, 16:03

Gavin and I were up in Bangor (NI) last year for The ribraid

, we were belting along at full pelt when the engines died, when we swaped fuel tanks, all was solved....

switched tanks again .... engines died,

but , only at WOT.

on opening the inspection hatch on the tank, and looking around the fuel system, we found a large amount of clear silicone in the fuel pick up, that had blocked the whole thing up, but only when 40L/h was demanded at WOT and not at 20l/h at normal crusing speed.....

Silicone was pulled, poked and sucked out, which was not easy , and all was sorted........

......and where did this silicone cone from ????? it was a seal , in addition to the rubber O ring seal that sealled the inspection hatch... originaly installed by the tank makers.....

, all traces of silicone were removed, and no problems since.

Mark Halliday · 14 May 2004, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naked Dave

Daniel

If you just need a temporary measure, try hypalon blue gasket sealer. It comes in a tube and is "blue" in colour. Halfords or similar should have it in.

Good luck!

I think you mean "Hylomar". I think hypalon is used for something else. I know I have seen some somewhere.

You put it on very thinly to both sides of a gasket and let it go tacky before fitting. No chance of it dropping into the tank. If the mating faces are anyway near true it will seal the gasket. It is not a gasket substitute like Hermatite RTV.

Actualy hypalon may be correct, why not cut a bit from your repair kit and use that. It is petrol proof. It may need several layers to take up any distortion, but it should work.

Pete7 · 14 May 2004, 20:35

Daniel, we have just found a 5 hole blanking plate but the gasket has gone awol, your welcome to it if you want. Its probably Stainless Steel and free.

Alternatively have a look in the Vetus catalogue.

Pete

roohairy · 15 May 2004, 20:06

Don't use hylomar blue in contact with petrol ad it will dissolve it, forma gasket seems to be ok as is silicone but only if you let them cure before coming in contact with the fuel. From bitter experience!

Naked Dave · 16 May 2004, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Halliday

I think you mean "Hylomar". I think hypalon is used for something else. I know I have seen some somewhere.

You put it on very thinly to both sides of a gasket and let it go tacky before fitting. No chance of it dropping into the tank. If the mating faces are anyway near true it will seal the gasket. It is not a gasket substitute like Hermatite RTV.

Mark, thanks, you are quite corect, "Hylomar" is the correct stuff, and if it is good enough for fast attack helicopter fuel systems, it should be good enough for a fuel tank on a rib.

DGR · 16 May 2004, 14:11

Might be worth noting that Aviation Fuel (AvTur) and Petrol are quite different, and have different properties. Some sealants might work on aircraft, but not with petrol...

D...

Daniel · 17 May 2004, 09:11

Thanks for all the help guys.

Friday i 'phoned Osprey who said only they or their supplier could supply the gasket, but he knew exactly what it was and would get one to me ASAP.

I had decided to wait for that, but i missed going out in the boat so much over the weekend i might consider making one out of cork.

Pete, thanks for the offer of a blanking plate, but i am happy to put the gauge back in the hole, it's slightly more use than an inflatable dart board.

Naked Dave · 17 May 2004, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

Might be worth noting that Aviation Fuel (AvTur) and Petrol are quite different, and have different properties. Some sealants might work on aircraft, but not with petrol...

D...

Good point D. Aviation fuel being kerosene based and petrol being....well petrol based. I checked the safety data sheet on it and it does say "effective in all hydrocarbon fuel environments", so I'm assuming it should be a good all rounder.

Well worth questioning tho.....wouldn't want to give duff advice.

Dave

Daniel · 21 May 2004, 15:23

Right, finally managed to kick some osprey arse this lunch time (they are clearly very busy people) and the only option seams to be a complete sender and gasket assembly! Still, quite a fair price at £25, arrives monday, i just hope it's the right damn flange fitting!

I think i am right in not trying to make one, there seams to be some degree of 'unknown' regarding what material is and is not petrol proof, and as we all know fuel problems at sea are unwelcome to say the least.

Jon Brooks · 21 May 2004, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

Right, finally managed to kick some osprey arse this lunch time (they are clearly very busy people) and the only option seams to be a complete sender and gasket assembly! Still, quite a fair price at £25, arrives monday, i just hope it's the right damn flange fitting!

I think i am right in not trying to make one, there seams to be some degree of 'unknown' regarding what material is and is not petrol proof, and as we all know fuel problems at sea are unwelcome to say the least.

So you will be ready for a launch and sea trial soon then

Regards

Matt · 24 May 2004, 16:41

I know it's a bit late to be useful to you Daniel, but aren't all fuel sender gaskets pretty much a standard now - 54mm bolt circle with 5 bolts?

Daniel · 24 May 2004, 16:44

Yep, it would appear all marine tank sender's are to this standard now, but (a) nobody seamed to know that when i started this thread and (b) you try getting just the gasket...from anywhere.

It arrived first class post Sat a.m. and was fitted Sat p.m. Top-Banana is back on the water now