Old fuel in tank - how to get out - do I need to clean tank too??

[RXWingman]

Volvo-Penta 5.0GL, in a 2001 Reinell 203. Boat has been sitting for a number of years (3-4?) and old fuel was left in tank... not much, but still. Fuel additive was added a few months ago, but none prior to that. I'm a new owner and having problems starting engine. It did start when I bought it, coughed white smoke and have not been able to start since.

Obvious answer is it needs new fuel, and old should be cleaned from system. Before I just fill the tank with new fuel, any suggestions on how to clean out the old fuel and possible sludge+varnish, etc from the fuel tank?

How can I remove old fuel from tank? Or, do I need to???

Thanks!

 

[Perlmudder]

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out?

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out?

most people hook up an electric fuel pump or drill pump into the fuel line and empty it into drums or gas cans. that is probably your best bet because hiring someone to do it is mighty expensive, somewhere around 7 bucks a gallon with disposal.

 

[RXWingman]

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out?

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out?

Thanks for the reply. I don't think there is still much fuel in there - maybe a couple gallons... I was really wondering if I need to clean out the tank (removing all old fuel and if there is any "gunk" still in the tank) and how do you do this? Not sure if the tank is easily removable, or if I need to clean it out other than just removing old fuel?

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out - do I need to clean tank too??

We have a tank that also needs cleaning but Ive yet to think of a good way to do it with the tank in the boat. It has a lot of sediment in it and also has the typical sludge in the bottom of the tank.

I was using a cheap see-through filter when I was having trouble getting a fuel pump to pump(pump ended up being bad) and the filter had some sediment in it after letting the engine run for 10 minutes. Im going to cut open the main filters this year to see what they look like.

Our marina has a tank for putting old fluids in. They charged us like $20 to put as much old fuel in it as we wanted.

 

[SeanMcl]

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out - do I need to clean tank too??

When I drained my tank, I pulled off the fuel fill hose where it attaches to the tank, ran about 8 feet of siphon hose out through the bilge plug opening and siphoned it out that way while it sat on the trailer. Easy as pie, but you have to be able to access the tank/fill hose connection.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out - do I need to clean tank too??

I just did mine. I took the sending unit out and rigged up a rubber hose. I forget what size maybe 1/4 inside and I found a socket that I could force over the hose. put the hose in the tank and rolled it back and forth till you hear it hit the low corner of the tank. That gets to all that crap that forms when you run additive plus the water etc. just pump it out. I put an ad on CL and gave away almost 200 gallons. The guys came here brought drums and rolled them back up the bank to the trailer. took me 2 days to fill the drums. one boat down 3 to go.

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out - do I need to clean tank too??

Today's gas has 10% ethanol in it. Ethanol will break down any gunk in the tank from old gas. You would probably be OK just keeping the tank topped off with gas.

 

[RXWingman]

Re: Old fuel in tank - how to get out - do I need to clean tank too??

Thank you, I think this is the answer I was looking for... My plan is to just drain the old fuel out, and add new, and hope that any gunk is cleaned out with new gas and more frequent usage.

I did replace the fuel filter/water separator, and used a fuel system cleaner and carb cleaner. I expect that when I prime the lines and fuel pump with new fuel, it will start and run wonderfully!

Thanks for all the help!