How to drain and clean out fuel tank

[Momboy007]

Hello All,
I own a 1997 Celebrity 180 Bowrider that was sitting 10 Years prior to me purchasing it, I now have it running but keep getting junk in the fuel filter. the tank is located in the very bottom of the boat, and then fuel is pumped up to the carburetor.
My question is, what is the best way to clean out the fuel tank, I really do not want to remove it if I do not have to, this would be very difficult.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Rick

 

[alldodge]

Gas that sits for 10 years is probably bad, I'm amazed it will even run a motor.

You could get an electric fuel pump, and pump it into gas cans. You can also get a pump and have it pump thru a large filter and put back into the tank. If you do it enough you could get it cleaned up, still doubt its any good. An easy way to tell is smell it, gas that has gone bad doesn't much smell like gas

 

[Scott Danforth]

look at post #5 in this thread http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...ions-not-engine-topics/10459841-tank-cleaning

do you have the trailer for it. if so, cleaning the tank will be easy.

drain all the gas
pull the sender
pour in 4-5 gallons of acetone
make a cover to cover the sender hole
find the bumpiest road you have and drive up and down it like your hair is on fire for about 45 minutes
drain the sludge
repeat
drain again
fill with 10 gallons of fuel
repeat run down road
drain again
replace sender
fill with fuel
put new filters in system
go boating

dispose of the acetone and fuel according to your local laws....

 

[Momboy007]

hello all,
my 10 year old gas was already drained out and new gas put in, I just think there is a lot more junk in the bottom of the tank that keeps plugging up filters, so I think I need to somehow flush it

thanks all
Rick

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I don't know about using an electric pump to drain fuel. Actually I do know, don't unless it is a chemical pump that we used in the plant that are designed to electrically pump combustibles.

I picked up one of those hoses that was talked about here a while ago. It is a simple line with a brass fitting on the end with a metal ball in it. Insert the line into the tank and shake the ball end of the hose, and pump out 3.5 gallons a minute. Cost is about 20 bucks here at Princess Auto or Canadian Tire. Someone here will remember the name. "It's called The Shaker Fuel Syphon." A great way to fuel anything with a heavy gas can that is a sure way to spill fuel and break out in a sweat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

nothing wrong with a marine rated electric pump to drain the fuel tank

 

[tpenfield]

Creativity and safety should prevail. I would remove the fuel sender as mentioned and see what you can see at the bottom of the tank. also you should be able to see enough to get a general idea of the condition of the tank.

Depending on what you find, you may be able to use a manual pump to suck the remaining 'crud' out of the tank.

​BTW - you are killing us without pictures as you go through your boat . . because we love pictures and they really help in seeing what you are seeing.