Gas problems

[scuba4me]

I have a boat I put some time and money into and its now safe and ready to go (almost). The previous owner had let the boat sit outside with the gas cap off. Knowing this I siphoned the water out of the tank and added 10 gallons of gas. I added a new water separator and inline filter in front of it.

Took the boat out and ran it, and the gas pickup tube in the tank immediately got clogged. I was prepared for this and I kicked it in. I took the consol off and got to the 42 gallon tank underneath. I took the pickup tube out and cleaned it (amall screen clogged with rust type stuff). I decide to take the gas inlet tube off. I found a metal spike (rusted and corroded), rocks, and some other stuff down the gas inlet - little kids did this I?m sure.

I know a little of this debris probably got washed into the tank when I filled it with 10 gallons for the test (rust mostly I?m guessing). Am I ok with just using a filter to keep the junk out of the motor? The tank is practically built into the boat so taking it out is not realty an option. Is there something else I can do/add to get the tank/fule system cleaned up?

Thanks for any help

 

[Beefer]

Re: Gas problems

I'd probably add an inline filter or two. I also would take the screen off the pick-up, but if access to the pick-up is easier than accessing an inline, then leave it. Ideally, you should remove, drain, and clean the tank. How old is the boat/tank? And what material is the tank made of?

 

[scuba4me]

Re: Gas problems

I'd probably add an inline filter or two. I also would take the screen off the pick-up, but if access to the pick-up is easier than accessing an inline, then leave it. Ideally, you should remove, drain, and clean the tank. How old is the boat/tank? And what material is the tank made of?

I removed the screen from the pickup tube and added an inline filter to the hose on the outside so I can easily inspect and remove it when needed. After that I added a new Ronco water separator 10 micron filter setup. From there it goes to the motor and the stock inline motor fuel filter.

I?m guessing I will just need to replace the first inline a few times before it gets the majority of the stuff out of the tank. Is it better to fill the tank completely or do small fills like 10 gallons at a time and run it like that for a while? I?m sure there is a little water in the tank still as well.

The boat is early 80's Hydra-Sports CC and other then this issue its ready to go. The tank is a thick white plastic it?s the stock tank 42gal.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Gas problems

If I could, I might tie a magnet onto the end of a string, drop it into the tank and see how much more rust I can pull out.

 

[scuba4me]

Re: Gas problems

If I could, I might tie a magnet onto the end of a string, drop it into the tank and see how much more rust I can pull out.

That is a great idea! I will give that a shot I have some rare earth magnets that will do the trick.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Gas problems

If the 'thick white plastic' materials is actually fiberglass, you may want to tonsider replacing the tank, especially if you're using E10 gas. Ethanol and fiberglass don't mix. The E10 will cause the tank to dissintegrate. If it is actually plastic, you should be ok.

 

[scuba4me]

Re: Gas problems

If the 'thick white plastic' materials is actually fiberglass, you may want to tonsider replacing the tank, especially if you're using E10 gas. Ethanol and fiberglass don't mix. The E10 will cause the tank to dissintegrate. If it is actually plastic, you should be ok.

Humm it sure looks like plastic but I guess it could be fiberglass. Is there a way to tell? It?s a 1979/80 17? Hydro-Sport. The tank looks to be in fine shape. If I push on the top a little it bows/dents in and bounces back like plastic. If I put StayBil or something in the gas with that help the erosion problem if it is fiberglass?

 

[Beefer]

Re: Gas problems

I figured someone would have answered by now, but....

I've never owned either (white plastic or fiberglass fuel cells), but I believe the plastic is somewhat 'see-thru', whereas the fiberglass is not. I think you can see light through the plastic, but not the fiberglass.

I hope someone else confirms or rebukes this.