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View Full Version : No Explosion: Saddle Tank Cleanout, Part 3.


drbabe
04-15-2010, 12:23 PM
Hi Everyone,
After reading all the posts about dear late Uncle Ernie, and how he tried to vacuum out the gas tank, I just let 'em sit all winter. Then, recently, I opened the tanks, and with a rag screwed to a stick, mopped up the last few drops of sandy gas. Next step: put the shop-vac on BLOW (after cleaning out the vacuum and filter, so I didn't blow all that joint-compound sanding dust from the bathroom project back through the tanks), and wired the hose to the tank and went and did something else for a half an hour. No more fumes! But a couple days later, it still smelled like gas, so I blew 'em out again, before vacuuming. I attached http://picasaweb.google.com/mousatonic/AriensShopVac#5460412332961673330 http://picasaweb.google.com/mousatonic/AriensShopVac#5460412332961673330 three hoses together, and put the shop-vac about twenty feet away, justincase it DID decide to expand.

1728

I used a 1" pvc tube, and sometimes a 1/4 " clear plastic tube to remove any crud and sand. So, sorry folks, but it looks like I lost my bid to win the Darwin this year. Can't wait to get the whole boat back together and bomb along without the motor starving and dying.
Dave

RWilson2526
04-15-2010, 12:34 PM
Would have been a much better story if you blew yourself up but we're glad you made it out ok. Better safe than sorry when dealing with that stuff.

Mulv80
04-15-2010, 02:28 PM
I cut my last tank out of my 79' V-20 cuddy with a reciprocating saw. I drained all the old gas and filled the tank with water to purge the vapor. I used a battery powered saw and went to work, I gotta admit I was a little nervous making the first couple of cuts.

reelapeelin
04-15-2010, 05:06 PM
Would have been a much better story if you blew yourself up...

I knew your dark side would come thru sooner or later...:you:


and drabe...good work...nice and clean and no POOPH!!...