alumacraft gas tank draining

[MnWalleye]

I have a 1997 Magna 165CS with internal 15-20 gallon gas tank (under the flooring). I suspect I got a 1/2 tank of bad gas and unfortunately need to drain the gas tank. Other than sucking it back out the fill cap (which is in the middle of the transom) is there any other easier way?<br />A friend at work suggested find where the gas tank sending unit is (for the gas gauge) and there should be an easy access "snap cap" you can remove and suck the gas from there (rather than through the fill opening with a long hose). Looking for advice and suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: alumacraft gas tank draining

Find the connection just before the filter, disconnect it, connect a piece of flexible hose - and suck . <br /><br />Seriously, thats the easiest access point to syphon fuel out of the tank.<br /><br />And welcome to iboats!!

 

[MnWalleye]

Re: alumacraft gas tank draining

If connecting to the hose right before the fuel filter (which is on the engine) is the EASIEST access point to syphoning out 10-12 gallons of fuel from the fuel tank then it is more than apparent to me that I should have bought a Lund or Crestliner.

 

[Pony]

Re: alumacraft gas tank draining

Why? Would Lund and Crestliner have given you some fuel stabilizer to keep your fuel fresh? Or somehow you wouldnt have bought bad gas if you bought from them?? I just am not sure how this is a boat speciic thing.....all the manufactures would have some sort of issues removing fuel from an under the loor tank.<br /><br />I am thinking Dunaruna might have been talking about a fuel filter that is inline, as in before the engine. I guess you don't have one of those then. <br /><br />The only thing that I can think of is to disconnect the fuel line right after the primer bulb and physicaly pump the fuel out with it.........might take awhile though, but I guess you could just do a few gallons at a time. I have syphoned 12 gallons from a built in tank before and it took 10 minutes to do the it through the fill cap FWIW.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: alumacraft gas tank draining

If your catch can is low enough, stick the line in it and pump the bulb a couple times and it will run on it's own till empty.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: alumacraft gas tank draining

I would speculate the fuel line has a coupler at the engine. Remove the coupler add a 50 cent double ended hose barb and a couple feet of tubing. Squeeze the bulb and let gravity run its course. Raise the front of the boat to get the fuel toward the back. Add a can or two of Seafoam to help with getting rid of any water.

 

[Pickeye Pirate]

Re: alumacraft gas tank draining

If your floor is like mine, this will be an easy fix. Beside the operator's chair there's a vent hole in the floor. It's in the middle of the long floor-board that goes down the middle of the boat. Just take off the phillips head screws that go around the middle floor piece. You probably only need to take off the screws that go around the outside perimeter. Not the two or three that are in the middle. Once off, you can remove the worm clamp that's on the hose connector near the front of the fuel tank and safely siphon it out. It's not as bad as it seems.