What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

[YoJoeySmacks]

I have 80 gallon fuel tank and my engine has been running a little sluggish. It stalls alot when idiling so I took apart the small housing on the deck to look at the top of the fuel tank and discovered this blob of goo. What the hell is that?

 

[boobie]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

I've been in FL for 24 yrs and have never seen anything like that. Im sure somebody else will know.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Could that be melted foam? Is it gooey, soft or hard? You need new hoses. Is that long screw the ground that should be in one of the sender hold downs?

 

[rpsloan]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Looks like a form of Algae or microbes. In humid places and in places were you end up with water or condensation in the fuel tank. Best thing is to drain and flush the tank, change hoses and pick up a chemical to put in the tank that prohibits the growth if algae and microbes. I've dealt with a similar issue with standing diesel and gas tanks on construction sites. I'm trying to remember the treatment we use. It works and if you do like the bottle says to flash the tank it'll kill it quick. Just be sure to have a fuel filter or two before the fuel gets to the motor to help catch the gunk.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

It appears to me that it's on the outside of your tank, not inside as I see all the fittings/wiring that attach TO a tank. Having no idea, I'd say it's bilge goo and contains oil as it appears to be floating....on top of bilge water no less which one would think shouldn't be there.

Maybe you should pump out some gas and examine it and address when it was that you last changed your filters, and how old is your fuel, and did you have any additives to protect against deterioration due to it being "OLD?

Mark

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

You don't happen to have a holding tank on-board that let go, do you? uke:

 

[Crosbyman]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Poop... from the creature from the green lagoon

 

[jigngrub]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

So much for periodic fuel tank inspections eh?!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

I'm gonna say that if it is THAT wet in there that the fuel system may be the least of your concerns....wet=rot

 

[ZachDean]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Kinda looks like hardened fiberglass resin. Is it hard or soft?

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Blew up your photo-- not exactly sure what all the goo is, but I'm PRETTY sure you have, or had, some very nasty stuff in that area, something nasty enough to attack your rubber gas line. Something like xylene, acetone, brake fluid, or?? I'm not sure what, but it's caused your gas line and whatever else (floatation?) nearby to melt. And worse, whatever it is may be attacking your fiberglass resin...

 

[Don S]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

We are on out way !!!!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Extraterrestrial slime . . .

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

If that much slime is on top of the tank, I would not even want to begin thinking about what is under and around it... Time for some serious bilge cleaning.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

The black looks like a long-term extended fuel leak and the carmel crap looks like the ooze that was left behind when the fuel dissolved some foam. IMHO Also, ethanol in gasoline will break down fiberglass fuel tanks and/or boats....

At the very least you need new fuel hoses.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

GAWD!! Thats awful. Looks like melted foam to me mixed with a bit of hose line rubber. Those clamps can't be tight any more. If the rest of the bilge looks like that, your in deep Kaa Kaa.

 

[NYBo]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Blew up your photo-- not exactly sure what all the goo is, but I'm PRETTY sure you have, or had, some very nasty stuff in that area, something nasty enough to attack your rubber gas line. Something like xylene, acetone, brake fluid, or?? I'm not sure what, but it's caused your gas line and whatever else (floatation?) nearby to melt. And worse, whatever it is may be attacking your fiberglass resin...

Kinda looks like hardened fiberglass resin. Is it hard or soft?

I hate to say it, but it looks like maybe a previous owner tried repair a leak by glomming a bunch of resin and fiberglass cloth on the top of the tank.

 

[rbh]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Is it hard or soft??
Aluminum tank? I see what appears to be the ground (bolt with black wire) is not properly grounded.
+1 with NYBO
I would guess that it is some kind of ??? that the previous owner put on there due to the fact that the salt water+ electrolysis was eating away at the tank and put pin holes through the top of it.

But thats just a guess.

 

[YoJoeySmacks]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Sorry for the Delayed response.
Its a 80 gallon aluminum tank. I use seafoam for a fuel additive. Today im off so im going to remove the deck and have a look at the whole tank. I plan on replacing fuel lines and installing a water separator. I'm gonna remove the sending unit to see if this %$#t is in the tank. the goo is soft like gel and smells like mold.
I recently got the boat painted /gelcoated. about 7 months ago.
I will update post this afternoon with more pics. Anyone free today in Port Saint Lucie Florida?? lol

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: What is this growing on my fuel tank !!!

Anyone free today in Port Saint Lucie Florida??

I think you're gunna need to offer a liquor store worth of beer to get anybody to willingly help you out with that one...
Wear gloves, and a mask. You don't want to be the one that introduces a new disease to the world....