fuel tank

[shes a keeper]

Hello I just picked up a 17 foot whaler and I drained the tank that is alumium and the bottom of the tank has metal particles attached to the outside lower sides.I do not want to change the tank the boat is a 99 and it is alot of work taking the tank out, does anyone know of a good safe tank flush or any Idea to break down the metal particles and sludge .This happenend from the marina giving her real bad dirty gas. When i look down with a flashlight though the fuel sender i see some growth and with a stick i can loosen the metal off the lower part of the tank.I just did the carbs 115 merc and i want the tank as clean as possible.

 

[Bondo]

Re: fuel tank

Ayuh,...

You could add a decent in-line cannister Filter,...
But,..
The Real Answer is to Pull the tank,+ Do it Right.....

 

[Allstate48]

Re: fuel tank

Can you use a magnet to pull the loose metal out?

 

[Mark42]

Re: fuel tank

An aluminum tank with aluminum metal flakes inside would have me very worried. It probably means the tank is corroding out. I throw in with bondo and say replace the tank with a new roto molded plastic tank.

 

[shes a keeper]

Re: fuel tank

An aluminum tank with aluminum metal flakes inside would have me very worried. It probably means the tank is corroding out. I throw in with bondo and say replace the tank with a new roto molded plastic tank.

It`s not aluminum flakes it looks like metal that came in from the marina`gas and the guy i purchased from tried to get him for these repairs.

 

[shes a keeper]

Re: fuel tank

Can you use a magnet to pull the loose metal out?

I tried and got some out but there are baffels in the tank so i just would like to suck it all out thanks mark

 

[shes a keeper]

Re: fuel tank

Ayuh,...

You could add a decent in-line cannister Filter,...
But,..
The Real Answer is to Pull the tank,+ Do it Right.....

she will have a in line and a water sep and you all are right and I have done tanks before but it kills me to lift the center consol on this whaler thanks mark

 

[shes a keeper]

Re: fuel tank

It`s not aluminum flakes it looks like metal that came in from the marina`gas and the guy i purchased from tried to get him for these repairs.

thanks mark

 

[shes a keeper]

Re: fuel tank

Thanks to all I guess I was hopeing that i could flush the tank then suck it out, she seams to new to pull the tank I guess if I can`t clean it out I will use portable tanks till next season I got cabin fever

 

[capt sam]

Re: fuel tank

Some fuel companies that sevice marinas or private docks can or have access to a service that pumps out tanks, charge is based on size of tank, check your yellow pages.

 

[Mark42]

Re: fuel tank

I was going to suggest a power washing inside, but you say it has baffles and that complicates things.

How about running one season with portable tanks, and put a few lbs of BB's in the tank with some strong cleaners or a few gallons of alcohol. Let the action of the boat out on the water slosh the BB's around and that along with some cleaner might scrub it clean. Check it a few times throughout the season and pump out the crud as needed. Who knows, it might work.