Fuel tank question

8

81_chapparel194

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
341
I have a chapparel 194 1981 year. The tank is under the floor. The previous owner told me the tank leaks so I just bought an above deck portable tank and didn't think much else about it. But he tOld me that he filled the old tank with wAter to wash the gas fumes out to be safe. Well today (3 months after he filled the tank with water) I got bored and removed the stand pipe and noticed the tank was full to the top with water. I'm thinking if it holds water it should hold gas right? Maybe the old fuel line has a leak if there is a leak. But my question is how do i drain the tank to test and completely get all the watsr out?
 
U

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Fuel tank question

If nothing else, hauling around 200+ lbs of water is just nuts!

Siphon the water out as best you can.
Sponge/Towel out the rest. A few drops, not a puddle, will be just fine.

10 gallons of E10 gas can theoretically absorb 6 ounces of water.
Keep it under 2 ounces and you will be fine.
 
S

Silly Seville

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
798
Re: Fuel tank question

Good God man, I wouldn't screw around with a potential tank leak! Seriously, get a professional to examine it if you aren't willing to do it right. Make the necessary repairs and use it, or replace it. Gasoline leaks and vapors are NOT to be messed around with on a boat!
 
Bondo

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,417
Re: Fuel tank question

But my question is how do i drain the tank to test and completely get all the watsr out?
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... With a Pump, then pressure test it,... Better yet, just Replace it...
 
8

81_chapparel194

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
341
Re: Fuel tank question

I was planning to pressure test not just fill it with gas and hope for the best
 
U

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Fuel tank question

81_chapparel194 said:
I was planning to pressure test not just fill it with gas and hope for the best
Click to expand...

Pressure test it with the water in.
If it leaks it will leak water. The leak will be near the wet spot.
Also with a smaller head of air, any leak will produce a larger pressure drop.
 
H

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Fuel tank question

to get the water out, run the fuel line out the bilge plug hole (on the trailer, obviously!) and use the ball to get a siphon going. There may be an anti-syphon valve on the tank (built in to the 90* fitting on the top of the tank) you need to remove.
 
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