Enclosed Fuel Tank Replacement Question.

[off2wildblue]

I have a 15 ft. 1999 Back Country Flats boat. The gas tank has been giving me fits. It always seems to have garbage in it. It appears to be aluminum and it is completely enclosed except for a 6 inch hatch to access the sender.

First of all how do folks replace these things?

Secondly, what is the best way to clean it out?

I was recommended and used muriatic acid concoction to clean it out last time. Didn't last even a couple months of non-use with the boat. If I remember correctly the gas doesn't exit the tank at the lowest level in the tank so there is now way that I know to get the contaminates completely out.

Last time I put a bucket in the back of the boat with the fuel running into it and used compressed air through the fuel vent to syphon out all the gas.

Any recommendations? This problem has ruined my last four out of five trips to the Keys to go fishing. Not so bad but I live in GA!

Thanks,

SAM

 

[gbc_redfisher]

Re: Enclosed Fuel Tank Replacement Question.

I dont know how your tank is set up but are you able to pull your sending unit and siphon from the top. I have a poly tank and when i needed to empty my tank out, i pulled the sending unit and siphon'd it there first. Then used the primer bulb to pull anything else remaining. I was able to look down in my tank (a little) to see if there was any junk in the tank.
Im not to familiar with aluminum tanks. So, i can't recommend any cleaning agents...sorry.
Hope this helped.

~Greg

 

[zach103]

Re: Enclosed Fuel Tank Replacement Question.

do you have any pics of how its set up.. with mine its centered in the boat and i ended up just using a circular saw at the depth of the floor cut a rectangle around the tank and pulled it out.

 

[proshine43]

Re: Enclosed Fuel Tank Replacement Question.

Hello, zach103 where is your tank located? Mine is up front under the bow walkway. I'm trying to find out if your stringers go all the way to the bow. Mine go from transom to about the middle of my boat, then my gas tank is in front of the stringers. I don't know if it was built that way or if someone cut the stringers and put the tank there. Thanks

 

[JPGBU1]

Re: Enclosed Fuel Tank Replacement Question.

Most of the time you have to cut the tank out and reglass it in. you need to clean it again with solvant a gallon of methyl hydrate or a gallon of acetone. of you can tilt the tank I would use a oil removal vacume kit to remove excess putting the tube in that corner. hope this helps!

 

[zach103]

Re: Enclosed Fuel Tank Replacement Question.

ya my stringers go all the way to the bow.. my gas tank is where most people have a ski locker.. ill get some pictures tomor. If you can get pics of yours froim what it sounds like you may have to either cut or pull your cap.