MID-ENGINE TRICAB -- FUEL LINE CHAFING FOUND
Moderators: BeaconMarineBob, Moderator, BeaconMarineDon
- P-Dogg
- Active User
- Posts: 961
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:15 pm
- Location: Near Baltimorgue, Murderland, where they prove every day that gun control doesn't work.
MID-ENGINE TRICAB -- FUEL LINE CHAFING FOUND
In the aviation world, the FAA issues airworthiness directives and service difficulty reports to address hazardous mechanical issues. Not having a similar program set-up for boats, I'm broadcasting what I found here so that folks bright enough to read this forum can at least benefit.
While tightening the starboard spray rail on my '85 tricab, I cut a hole on the starboard bulkhead that is normally covered by the nightstand and was greeted with the following sight:
That is in fact one of the copper fuel lines that is resting on the spray rail attachment bolt. The amount of contact was enough to cause some corrosion, but not enough to cause any noticable wear on the fuel line. After I took the photo, I polished the fuel line in order to facilitate making a good visual inspection.
Since the subject fuel line is not supported immediately adjacent to the bolt, it was able to move enough to make contact. The fuel lines were no doubt run by hand at the factory, so it is possible that a similar or worse condition exists on other boats. On the tris with the fuel tanks under the aft side bunks, you (probably) have two (or four) opportunites for this condition.
You can access this bolt by drilling a hole in the bulkhead that is about 6" forward of the aft interior bulkhead, and 14" up from the top of the outboard stringer. You might as well make a big hole, because the bulkhead there is non-structural. I recommend a hole saw with a short pilot bit, or an oscillating tool like a Fein Multi-master that provides good depth control. Not only are the fuel lines there, but on the '85 tri, so are the vinyl vent hoses.
Hey -- isn't there a thread on "winter projects"? Performing this inspection would make an easy project that might serve to make future boating seasons safer.
While tightening the starboard spray rail on my '85 tricab, I cut a hole on the starboard bulkhead that is normally covered by the nightstand and was greeted with the following sight:
That is in fact one of the copper fuel lines that is resting on the spray rail attachment bolt. The amount of contact was enough to cause some corrosion, but not enough to cause any noticable wear on the fuel line. After I took the photo, I polished the fuel line in order to facilitate making a good visual inspection.
Since the subject fuel line is not supported immediately adjacent to the bolt, it was able to move enough to make contact. The fuel lines were no doubt run by hand at the factory, so it is possible that a similar or worse condition exists on other boats. On the tris with the fuel tanks under the aft side bunks, you (probably) have two (or four) opportunites for this condition.
You can access this bolt by drilling a hole in the bulkhead that is about 6" forward of the aft interior bulkhead, and 14" up from the top of the outboard stringer. You might as well make a big hole, because the bulkhead there is non-structural. I recommend a hole saw with a short pilot bit, or an oscillating tool like a Fein Multi-master that provides good depth control. Not only are the fuel lines there, but on the '85 tri, so are the vinyl vent hoses.
Hey -- isn't there a thread on "winter projects"? Performing this inspection would make an easy project that might serve to make future boating seasons safer.
I needed a less expensive hobby, so I bought a boat!
- prowlersfish
- 2024 Gold Support
- Posts: 12667
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
- Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va
- aaronbocknek
- Ultimate User
- Posts: 2080
- Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:19 am
- Location: baltimore, md (alexandria, va and middle river,md) PARKSIDE MARINA
- prowlersfish
- 2024 Gold Support
- Posts: 12667
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
- Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va
- P-Dogg
- Active User
- Posts: 961
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:15 pm
- Location: Near Baltimorgue, Murderland, where they prove every day that gun control doesn't work.
Thank you. I get lots of practice at work, where I am a mechanical engineer engaged in, among other things, copious amounts of technical writing.
For my next act, I'll detail the complete rebuild and refurbishment of my underwater exhaust, including, Aaron, how to install the bellows! Look for that in about a week. I'm too ashamed to take a picture of the final installation because (in my nerdy, anal retentive mind) the tails of the threaded studs on my T-bolt hose clamps are too long. After I trim and polish them, I'll post a complete how-to with pics from start to finish.
For my next act, I'll detail the complete rebuild and refurbishment of my underwater exhaust, including, Aaron, how to install the bellows! Look for that in about a week. I'm too ashamed to take a picture of the final installation because (in my nerdy, anal retentive mind) the tails of the threaded studs on my T-bolt hose clamps are too long. After I trim and polish them, I'll post a complete how-to with pics from start to finish.
I needed a less expensive hobby, so I bought a boat!
- Commissionpoint
- Active User
- Posts: 1197
- Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:59 pm
- Location: Diamond Point on Lake George, NY
I just saw this and about pi$$ed myself.aaronbocknek wrote:prowlersfish wrote:Good info , not a bad idea to inspect all the line .
You know Aaron won't sleep tonight thinking about that line .
Visions of Aaron tossing and turning. Tormented by dreams of burning tri-cabins. Using every waking hour inventing some kind of Rube Goldberg contraption with dental mirrors to look in every nook and cranny.
1978 F-32 "Eclipse"
Merc 305 SBC's
1.52:1 Borg Warners
1983 Correct Craft
Commander 351 Ford (PCM)
1:1 Borg Warner
There are 350 different varieties of shark, not counting loan or pool.
Merc 305 SBC's
1.52:1 Borg Warners
1983 Correct Craft
Commander 351 Ford (PCM)
1:1 Borg Warner
There are 350 different varieties of shark, not counting loan or pool.
- aaronbocknek
- Ultimate User
- Posts: 2080
- Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:19 am
- Location: baltimore, md (alexandria, va and middle river,md) PARKSIDE MARINA
okay okay okay.... first and foremost, i was phoned by perry and given the heads up before anything was posted. (so NEENER-NEENER !!!! )Commissionpoint wrote:I just saw this and about pi$$ed myself.aaronbocknek wrote:prowlersfish wrote:Good info , not a bad idea to inspect all the line .
You know Aaron won't sleep tonight thinking about that line .
Visions of Aaron tossing and turning. Tormented by dreams of burning tri-cabins. Using every waking hour inventing some kind of Rube Goldberg contraption with dental mirrors to look in every nook and cranny.
second.... while understandably a potential issue, i'm really not stressing over this, as i have more important personal issues to contend with. besides, in order to fully access said bolt and line, i'd have to tear apart some furnishings in the aft cabin, and to be perfectly frank, i'm just not up to the task. she's been fine for decades, and, right now, i see no need to start stressing over something that i have no control over. at least not right now. as for tossing and turning, well, it's not over this. the chemo and radiation and the resulting after effects on my body has completely obliterated any sort of 'normal' sleep patterns.
blunt and to the point i guess, but i am able to see the overall humor in the joshing i've been subjected to. (and how did you know i looked into the area from above w/ a mirror? ) <<and besides, you promised me 'boat cooked' dinner >>
aaron
- Commissionpoint
- Active User
- Posts: 1197
- Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:59 pm
- Location: Diamond Point on Lake George, NY
Get that galley in order. Invite some folks from the forum. I will be there.
Oh, and get that death trap retrofitted or I'm not setting foot on it!
Oh, and get that death trap retrofitted or I'm not setting foot on it!
1978 F-32 "Eclipse"
Merc 305 SBC's
1.52:1 Borg Warners
1983 Correct Craft
Commander 351 Ford (PCM)
1:1 Borg Warner
There are 350 different varieties of shark, not counting loan or pool.
Merc 305 SBC's
1.52:1 Borg Warners
1983 Correct Craft
Commander 351 Ford (PCM)
1:1 Borg Warner
There are 350 different varieties of shark, not counting loan or pool.