Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

[sixfootdrop]

Just finished emptying 100 gals out of my fuel tank, and will pull out of boat tomorrow. Wondering if I can check and clean myself or better left to a pro.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

How old is it & why do you think it needs to be cleaned?.....JK

 

[KaGee]

Re: Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

Take it to a pro if the tank is nasty.

 

[sixfootdrop]

Re: Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

Haut Medoc, when we purchased the boat it ran great, but the owner told us he was going through alot of fuel filters and that we may have sediment in tank. Sure enough it has died on us twice and we replaced the filters both times. The gas is not old, and upon pulling the tank deck cover we discovered standing gas in the bilge (not good). When you look into the tank you can see small spots of corrosion inside and I am curious what the bottom of the tank and the pick-up line looks like.

 

[sixfootdrop]

Re: Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

P.S. The tank is dated 1990

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

Sixfootdrop, If you have standing gas in the bilge, you have some kind of a leak. Corrosion is not a good sign, although that tank should be made of aluminum. Your best bet is to pressure test it. Cap the fill and fuel line and pump a couple of PSI into the tank via the vent line and listen for leaks. Spray with soapy water to see 'em bubble. If it leaks, check the major manufacturers (Tempo and others) to see if you can get a replacement. Hopefully yours is a standard size.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

standing gas in the bilge (not good).
Not only not good, it could blow ya sky high. Take it to a pro...it has to come out, doubt repairable, so you need a new one.

 

[linesix]

Re: Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

Your tank it 16 years old, if it is scaling, cleaning it will be a waste of time and money. Replace it.

I have replaced three tanks this year that are not as old as yours that were leaking.

The tank manufacturer will likely have the drawings and can reproduce it in the new alloys used by todays now tanks.

Good luck
Rick

 

[imported_rosco]

Re: Pulled my fuel tank, now what?

agree with chris, take ti to a pro and have it pressure tested.

in the meantime, dont park it anywhere near your home or your loved ones. an empty gas tank is twice as dangerous as a full one.

if it wont hold pressure, toss it. odd, it should have been alluminum. it shouldnt be leaking. it should last for two to three times as long.

one of the first things i check when buying a boat is fuel or a fuel smell in the belge. it is the one thing that will make me walk without looking back. i have seen boats explode from fumes in the belge. keep it in a well ventelated area. open it up as much as possible. do not use anything electric around the boat and do not turn on the battery switch.

personally, i would call a professional immediatly. if you think you can get it out without power tools, go for it. but keep in mind, an empty gas tank full of fumes is exponentially more dangerious than a tank full of fuel. it is a bomb looking for a fuse. people have been killed because of leaking gas tanks.