Fuel leak fixed!

After buying my boat, there was a smell of diesel throughout the cabin areas, enough to cause clothes to smell like diesel when returning home after staying on the boat for even a couple days. I was noticing 2-3 tablespoons of fuel accumulating in the bilge under the starboard engine (Catapillar 3208, naturally aspirated) every couple of weeks. I would clean that up often, which helped keep the smell down to a tolerable level. Meanwhile, I searched for the source of the leak by carefully examining the fuel tank, fuel lines and injectors. I could not find any leaks in those areas. After taking the air filter off one day (after months of frustration), I was surprised to see a small trickle of fuel running across the manifold and down the back of the engine into the bilge. I had found the leak! After further investigation and some research online, I discovered that the problem was a leaking seal associated with the throttle shaft. Apparently that's a common problem on Catapillar 3208s. Now, I just need to fix it!

Jim Geier
Cheoy Lee Trawler 55