Bad Gasoline

[kelscrusader]

I recently purchased a 1987 Fabuglas with a 4.3L OMC Cobra. There is bad gas and junk in the tank that keeps clogging the filter. Do I have to drain the tank, remove it from the boat and clean it out, or is there something else I can do besides keep changing the filter? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Bad Gasoline

If it keeps clogging the filter, then it would be best to remove the tank and clean it. You can dump a gallon or two at a time in your truck to get rid of it without having to dump it out.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Bad Gasoline

if you have access to the sending unit on top of the tank, you can remove it, pitch the boat up and let all the gas run to the rear of the tank and suck it all out that way with a "gasoline" rated pump. Stick a flashlight in there after you pump it and see what it looks like.
Other than that keep changing the filters or, get ready to pull the tank out.

Does that boat have an aluminum or fiberglass tank?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Gasoline

What is the tank made out of?

Best thing to do is to get all of the gas out. This would mean pulling the sender and pumping out the last amount. You may have to put another gallon in and lower/raise the bow to slosh it around and then suck that up. You will have to repeat until you get out all the crud.

edit: looks like Jason and I had the same things in mind!

 

[kelscrusader]

Re: Bad Gasoline

Thanks all for the replies. Jason, the tank is plastic, so it should be lite weight after I get the 15 gallons of gas out of it. All hoses and the sending unit are readily accessible. So I will be trying your ideas when I get a better pump(tried a cheap one from Napa it didn't work). Would I be able to fiter the gas thru cheesecloth and reuse it?

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Bad Gasoline

Would I be able to fiter the gas thru cheesecloth and reuse it?

Running the gas through a nice spin on 10-micron filter / water separator is the only way I would use it and not at full throttle.

Best of luck

OFM

 

[Don S]

Re: Bad Gasoline

Depending on the size of the tank, it could have baffles in it. With REALLY old fuel that has become varnish and sticking to the tank, you may never get it clean. Replacement could be the only option, or keep replacing the filter.
If it sat for years with regular gas in it, then you start putting ethenol in it, you will have a mess for many years till the ethenol gas gets that tank all clean.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Bad Gasoline

Jason, the tank is plastic, so it should be lite weight after I get the 15 gallons of gas out of it

I didn't ask because I was concerned about the weight of it. Make sure it is plastic and not actually a fiberglass tank. Fiberglass tanks are not compatable with todays fuel.