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#1
08-11-2012, 04:06 PM
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Cleaning gas tank
Anybody here ever clean/flush their aluminum built in fuel tanks? I just pulled mine because the gunk(varnish) keeps loosening up and causing fuel delivery issues. Been running on a remote tank temporarily but decided today to get 'er done. Any advice appreciated.
edit: its a 40 gal tank
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. John Barrymore Last edited by mudpuppy; 08-11-2012 at 07:29 PM. 
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#2
08-11-2012, 08:01 PM
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The only way to really clean out the tank very well, is to remove the tank from the boat.
Stand the tank on its side, use a pressure washer to get into every corner and surface of the tank. Then use a few gallons of gas to do a final rinse on the tank. Before you reinstall the tank, be sure to double check all of the tank fasteners, rests and supports in the boat. Be safe REW
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#4
08-12-2012, 02:02 AM
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I don't have an aluminum fuel tank, but I'm wondering if using a fuel treatment (STP/Seafoam, etc.) would help prevent varnish buildup in such a tank material.
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Fish control my brain
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#5
08-12-2012, 07:02 AM
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I know Startron makes an enzyme tank cleaning product, but I've never used it. It's a fuel additive that cleans your tank while you run it supposedly. Not sure about all the other additives, but the ethanol in the e-10 gasoline seems to be doing a good job loosening up the varnish in mine.
When I pulled the tank last night it was completely dry inside because I drained it in the spring. When I tipped it up you could just hear the crap (varnish) rolling inside it when I tipped it up on end. I don't know. I've been doing some research on older aluminum tanks and seems as though ethanol itself doesn't affect aluminum, but phase separation caused by old fuel and water left in a tank does. Mines 17 years old and sat for a long time. I'm considering putting in a plastic replacement tank and scrapping (literally) the aluminum. I'm sick and tired of gas tank issues and thinking a new tank might be best considering it's age, material and todays fuels. What do you guys think? Here's an interesting link: http://www.floridainshoreangler.com/...nd-cons-debate
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. John Barrymore Last edited by mudpuppy; 08-12-2012 at 07:05 AM.
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#7
08-12-2012, 02:58 PM
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Well guys, appreciate the input, but when I started cleaning the outside 4 eraser size holes opened up in it on the top, sssssoooooooo....... Looks like the decision has been made for me, new tank! Thanks for the responses.
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. John Barrymore Last edited by mudpuppy; 08-12-2012 at 03:20 PM.
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#9
08-12-2012, 05:47 PM
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Thanks REW. I found a Moeller thats almost exactly the same size as the original. They said on their web site that the EPA had changed the permeation requirements for 2012. The new ones have a nylon inner layer and an XLPE outer. And ethanol compatible. I'll call them tomorrow.
http://www.moellermarine.com/oem/fuel_tanks/
__________________
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. John Barrymore
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