Not possible.....

[Cheechako]

OK, I looked at a boat yesterday. There was red diesel fuel in the bilge. The bilge is located amidships. The diesel engine is aft and has a pan under the engine with no drain. The fuel tank is on a bench built behind the engine toward the stern. No fuel is visible under the engine in the collection pan or on the bottom of the engine. No fuel is visible under the tank or on the hull under the bench the tank sits on. No fuel residue is visible in the bilge areas between the engine and the deep bilge where it would have to flow from to get to the deep bilge. Some dust and dirt but no residue..so it wasnt recntly wiped clean... what am I missing? how the heck did the fuel get to the bilge?

[Target9000]

Sounds like you rustled up a genuine gremlin. Better get a cat to take care of it.

[Cheechako]

It would be a great riddle if I just knew the answer! The only thing I can think of is the fill pipe is leaking and it dripped down from there and has a route that is unseen to the bilge.....

[Target9000]

One thing you might try is to tape toilet paper or blue paper towels around all the slopes into the bilge. Then fill the tanks and watch. The toilet paper is so weak it will usually ripple or tear and blue towels leave an easier to see trail. I mean it obviously came from somewhere.

Start at the bilge. Build your "detection mote" and then wait. The clues will come.

[ctl411]

Jerry can in bilge?

[cas206]

... you mean besides someone accidently dumping it?

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by Target9000

One thing you might try is to tape toilet paper or blue paper towels around all the slopes into the bilge. Then fill the tanks and watch. The toilet paper is so weak it will usually ripple or tear and blue towels leave an easier to see trail. I mean it obviously came from somewhere.

Start at the bilge. Build your "detection mote" and then wait. The clues will come.

I use this techique myself. Paper towels also work good, hold up better than TP, and can be laid in wide long strips. A plus is after you find the leak you can use them to clean up.

[ctl411]

Accident or can chaffed through. How much fuel? Is there a day tank somewhere or a diesel heater?

[Cheechako]

There is a diesel heater. According to the owner, the only break in the small plastic feed line is for the filter under the quarter berth. It was dry to the touch. it would be best to trace that line full length I think. I just thought it was a funny thing... no obvious answer.... I may not be back to the boat....