Leaking Fuel Tank on 2001 FV 270

[wchris84]

Hello I am new to this forum. I have an issue with the fuel tank in my 2001 FV 270. 1st ride of the season discovered gas in the bilge, apparently the aluminum fuel tank developed a leak over the winter. My mechanic stated this is not the 1st Rinker with a leaking fuel tank that he has had to repair, just changed tank in 2002 250 that looked like swiss cheese. Tank rusted from the outside in, saltwater in the bilge sits underneath it. Has anyone had a similar issue and if so did Rinker address the issue, I'm awating a return E-mail from the company. Any info would be helpul, Thank You.

[Babyboomer]

I have a 99 270 never a tank problem thank God i'm in fresh water
WELCOME ABOARD

[merwin10]

Heard of only one and it was a rub thru! The tank bedding was not prepared correctly after a few months of the owner talking with Rinker they decided to pay for the repair due to incorrect manufacturing! The way the guy approached Rinker was his families safety and they could have had an explosion if it was not for his due diligence and that it was obviously a manufacturing fault!

Pulling the tank is a BIG BIG job best left to the boat yard! Incorrect Installation and bedding can cause the tank to fail prematurely!

Mike - 

[jmf5558]

i have 2001 fv 270 with leaking fuel tank  need to know how to repair and any recourse with rinker

[wchris84]

JMF5558 I have an E- mail into Randy Rinker still waiting on a reply will keep you updated on progress. As for repair looks like engine has to be pulled, stringers in front of tank cut out and floor in aft cabin cut to remove old tank. Everything will be re-glassed after new tank is installed. My repair guy has done a few Rinkers, he said the tanks was not prepped proerly before installation. New tank will be epoxy coated on bottom then painted. They also wrap the tank in a rubber membrane before re-installing. I usually do repairs myself but this job is over my head, initial estimate is 4 to 5K.

[merwin10]

Yep - BIG Job even for the boat yard! The one that I saw came out thru the aft stateroom no need to cut the stringer or remove the engine! Did make a mess of the inside of the boat! Needed a complete cleaning after the job including shampoo of the carpeted areas! Steam cleaning makes quick work of this, removes the smells!

Is your boat yard willing to state, in writing, wrong or badly installed tank?

Mike -

[rpm270vee]

I have a 2000 270 just noticed leak into my bilge also. Just logged on to see if there was a history of this happening. Sorry to see that more people have this problem. I am the 3rd owner of boat not sure Rinker would help me with this. $4k to $5k i was thinking $2 to $3k. Keep posting love to hear what you learn and how you make out

[ruwallydog]

The fact that there are at least three of you discovering this problem around the same time with similar model years would be one heckuva coincidence. Always strenth in numbers.

Very sorry to hear this is happening to you all, and please keep us updated.

-kurt

[merwin10]

Yea! In the past fuel leakage as your families safety was the way to go! Safety liabilities in manufacturing is a big law suit today! In the past Rinker has responded to this! You will need all the documentation with a certified marine mechanic stating in writing that it is a safety issue and poor workmanship/manufacturing caused the safety violation/issue! Pictures always help document the case! In cases like this there is only three words that count DOCUMENTATION  -- DOCUMENTATION  -- DOCUMENTATION!!! Hear say and words mean nothing! Keep all correspondences for the record! If you record your phone calls you must state to the other party that you are recording this call and they have to respond that they understand! This has to be done for each party that you talk too, so if the phone call has multiple people you most notify each one! SORRY!

Mike -  

[wchris84]

Well have finally received written estimate, $6500.00 for job. Engine and outdrive out, stringers cut and floor of aft cabin, tank removed and new one installed "wrapped in rubber membrane" and stringers re-glassed. OUCH !!!
Heard from Rinker also, only offered to give discount on new tank since boat and tank are out of warranty.

[rpm270vee]

wchris84,
  How did you make out with the replacement?  Just starting to get mine done. Whole season is a wash for me. My guy say`s he might be able to plate over hole in tank could save  cost of new tank . He also said he would cut cabin floor and  take  tank out that way or remove engine and take it out  that way. Does not think he has to to both. All depends on demensions of tank. Let us know how you made out.
                                                                                          Rich
                                                                 

[wchris84]

Rich, seaeson has pretty much been a wash for me, had tank removed, they were able to cut the cabin floor and part of wall and wiggle tank out thru engine compartment without removing engine just had to take off thermostat housing. My tank had more than one hole in it and several spots that were ready to go, was quite a mess for being only 10 yrs old. Had new tank made that was a little smaller, boat yard is going to epoxy coat and wrap it in neoprene. When they re-install putting 2 metals rails beneath it to keep it off the bottom so it doesn't sit in the bilge water. Seems like thats how it should have been installed at the factory !! Only hold up has been the tank guy was on vacation, boat should be completed this week. Will update you on the price, should be cheaper than my original estimate because engine was not removed and hopefully a discount because it took so long .

[DaleM]

Check on those "metal" rails they will be putting under the new tank.  Don't want them to be steel and surely don't want them rubbing through the new tank. 

[Tony Walker]

Maybe want to consider the use of wood rails or better yet, rails made out of "Starboard?"

[rpm270vee]

 hope it is discounted. not removeing engine sounds good. waiting for my guy to come by. when i mentioned the tank to him he did not seem to suprised. maybe you guy`s with later models should keep a good eye on your tanks. it`s starting to sound like it`s more than i thought. good luck