Gas tank hasnt been used for a long time, need advice.

[SpurHunter]

When I bought my boat over 3 years ago, the knot-head I got it from said he hadn't used the tank because he thought there was something wrong with it. Granted, he was a serious goon, and thought he blew the motor, started taking it completely apart, twisting off head bolts, *001* and all it needed was a carb clean-out! No I am not kidding. Anyway, it is not accessible to inspect visually, (built in the floor). I have been afraid to try it out ever since.

So my dilemma is, what do I do to try it out? Am I worried for no reason? Should I just load it down with Sea Foam, gas, and go?

This big motor (88 Johnson 175) really sucks the gas, and the 12 gal external tank I have been using is just not big enough to do a whole lot of running at all.
Who has had a similar experience?

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

What kind of tank is it?(plastic,fiberglass,aluminum).Why are you afraid of using it? You think it has a hole and leaks or it has bad gas in it?

[SpurHunter]

I guess aluminum? DOnt know why I am afraid of it really, *006*the guy just freaked me out! *clonk*
I assume there will be some garbage and what-not in it?

[workinprogress]

No way to flush it, drain it, or anything?

[Big Will]

If it has sat for 3 yrs you need to pump it out and go from there with fresh gas. Adding a fuel water sepperator is also advisable.

[SpurHunter]

No way to flush it, drain it, or anything?

No, I dont guess, unless I cut the floor open, or turn the boat upside-down....that would be a trick with my t-top on!*ROTFLMAO*

[wblack]

I would just make sure that you have a good filter/water separator.........put gas in it, add stabil and roll it to the water.

If you are woried about the trash, temporarily add an inline Walmart filter with see-through housing. When you are convinced it's clean........., when you run it out of gas intentionally and don't see trash in the filter, take it off. If you like it, leave it on. Either way you are out of a few bucks and feel good!

I can't imagine alot of trash in there unless the cap was left off for years or something, then it'll be mostly dust and some water maybe. You already know how to remedy those...............don't worry. *thumbsup*

[boogieblues50]

hey
ok here is what a friend of mine did with the same problem years ago and it worked great...he got a gas cap and drilled a hole in it and sealed a pump to it...he put a quart of alcahol and a quart of gum out in the tank after it was drained...than filled it with gas...let it sit for a day than with the pump cap atached he plugged the vent and pumped the gas out...ran it thru a kitchen strainer...trash was caught in strainer...alcahol got rid of water...gumout cleaned varnish out...the gas was dark in color but he saved it and used it in his old pickup...refilled the boat tank and never looked back...total cost was about $15 for a gas cap....BoogieBlues

[bluenorther]

I like boogieblues idea.
As an "option B" you can get a "power extractor" for ~$60.00 on line which is like a pump-up insect garden spray bottle except it creates a vacuume in the bottle and you can insert the tube in the fuel tank and suck all the old gas out of it. If you know someone with a vacuume pump this makes it even easier.

Good Luck,

Dave

[Shakespeare]

Just a reminder before you get too adventurous with electric pumps and what not... fuel vapors and sparky things aren't a good combination. The pump should be explosion proof (sealed) and rated for fuel transfer.

Here's a bunch of ways to transfer fuel. If you don't mind spending 35 bucks or more. Maybe borrow something if you know anybody that has a fuel pump.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_106

Mike C.

[Big Will]

One of the simplest ways to move old fuel out is to use the fuel line and primer bulb, hang it over the side of the boat into a container and start pumping the bulb till fuel comes out in a steady stream, gravity will do the rest as long as the end of the hose is lower than the tank. You can pick up a length of hose with a universal bulb from walmart for less than $10.

Once it runs out add the seafoam and fresh gas...

The other suggestions are good too.

[DIVERHERB]

If the boat has a fuel gauge you should be able to go in through the fuel sending unit hole with a hose and draw out any old "liquid". I would buy some denatured alcohol and pour in the tank. This alone will clean any varnish or residue from the tank and collect any water that may be in there. After pmping out you can probably take a small extendable mirror into the tank and get some idea what condition it is in. And as stated definitly add a fuel/water seperator and change the filter after each tank just to make sure its clean and clear.

[drfeelgood]

Why not just put it on the trailer and siphon the bad gas out....use it to start a fire (carefully). Refill the tank with new gas and some sea foam, run it at home on the muff a while and you should be aOK...a water separator is a MUST!*001*

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

If the tank has gas, smell around the tank area for strong vapors, if you do smell, you have a leak, cut the floor and replace the tank, if does not smell, you can use Will's way or you can preasurize the tank with an air compressor from the vent line, have the fill cup open and disconnect from the motor and into an external tank. Then you can clean the tank out with denaturated alcohol or havesomebody do it professionally. DO NOT connect any electric pumps in or near the tank.

[SpurHunter]

Thanks for all the great idea guys!! I got lucky and my buddy James, (newbie on CSO...jc4thecross) came over and helped me out. We were able to access the sending unit, and remove it to get into the tank. it looks really good in there. We used an old gas line with bulb, and pummed like hell to get all the old gas out. Sealed-er back up, and its ready for Sea Foam, Gas, and a water seperator for safe measure! *Cheers**Woot*

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Glad it worked out for you.

[workinprogress]

No, I dont guess, unless I cut the floor open, or turn the boat upside-down....that would be a trick with my t-top on!*ROTFLMAO*

I'm just glad you were able to solve the problem without messing up your t-top!!

[DIVERHERB]

Just food for thought before anyone decides to pressurize their fuel tank. This is very dangerous. When you put pressure in the tank it creates alot of fumes and becomes very explosive. Doing this has caused more than one "accident" that I know of. Just a teaspoon of fuel vapors is pretty explosive. Just my thoughts.

[SpurHunter]

Excellent point Herb! *018*

[Big Will]

So you got it cleaned out. When do you think you'll start using it? Are you waiting to get the filter and stuff?

[SpurHunter]

So you got it cleaned out. When do you think you'll start using it? Are you waiting to get the filter and stuff?


Filled it with Sae Foam and oil tonight, going to gas it up in the AM for a test run. I will let yall know how it turns out! (please pray..LOL)*018*

[SpurHunter]

Got out today for a test run, and all is well! No issues at all, except for a little trash that came though and got caught in the clear filter I have installed. I am stoked! *Woot*More floor space, and larger capacity tank.....
Thanks again guys for all the help, I owe ya.*018*

[wblack]

GREAT Spurhunter!!!!! Glad you got it going................have fun! *thumbsup*