1992 v20 Fuel tank replacment

[hammer]

OK Folks- New perspective v20 owner here- looking for an estimate to replace a leaky fuel tank (ballpark). This is a plastic under-deck unit. Would like to know if this is an easy job or not and somethingthing that the average person should try to tackle. Also- if there is a recommended manufacturer for replacement of this unit. Thanks.

[lucky_strike]

I also have a V-20 ('91) with a plastic tank. I've been
under the impression that these tanks last forever.
I can't be of much help in advising how to replace the tank, but I would like to know how or why the plastic tank failed.

[macojoe]

Well it has been talked about many many times here!! Mostly metal tanks, but I am sure it is all the same.

The Hard part is getting all the foam cut away so you can get the tank out!

After that you are on easy street!

Thank god I no have that problem with my boat!! :)

Here is were it was talked about pretty good at one point and some good info!!

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Repairs;action=display;num=11372135 53;start=4#4

[msbhammer]

Hey hammer....I'm Hammer !! >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Send Pics. !!! of your boat and tanks.

[brianct12]

Hammer - * It's not that bad a job to remove the tank. *My '88 had a plastic tank .... and there was no foam used to secure it. * What Wellcraft did was use long strips of rubber around the sides of the tank - *to keep it tight and from moving. * So, just remove the floor panel covering the tank. *Remove a few wood strips that are over the tank. *Remove the rubber strapping. *Disconnect the fuel fill hose, the vent hose, the outlet fuel line, and remove the gauge sending unit. *Make sure the tank is empty. *Grab ahold real good and lift out. * It is a very tight fit on all 4 sides. * The hardest part was getting the 1.5" dia fuel fill hose pushed far enough out of the way to lift the tank out.

Since the tank is plastic and doesnt "rot" per say - if it does indeed have a leak .... you may be able to have it repaired. Otherwise, good luck at getting another plastic tank the exact same dimensions. You might have to settle for installing a generic plastic tank of a slightly smaller size. Or, pay a premium to have a metal tank fabricated to your dimensions. It could be just that your hose connections might be leaking. I didnt see any signs of deterioration on my "88" plastic tank.

[hammer]

Thnaks for the feedback on the tank- not sure what the issue is or where the leak is originating from- good to hear that replacement, if needed, sounds managable.

[Geekie1]

Does anyone know when Wellcraft V20 went to plastic fuel tanks???

[willy]

Aluminum in my 85, plastic in his 88 there's the gap

[Airslot]

'luminum in my '87. That narrows the gap to '88.

Airslot

[phester]

mine's aluminium, 86.....just fillin' the gap

[brianct12]

YES - *from what I have learned ... *Wellcraft made some changes from the model year '87 to '88. * It appears that is when the tank went from aluminum to plastic. * Also, they raised the floor of the cockpit roughly 1.5-2" ... to help create the self-bailing deck. * This resulted in slightly lower sides (gunnel height ??). * I am not positive, but I think this is when they went to black lexan (or some type of plastic) for the cuddy door. * The gas tank went from fully forward to mid-way in the cockpit... and I think the rod-holder boxes were lengthened (my rodbox cutout opening is a full 5' long).

[Airslot]

The floor was raised back in 78' I think. My 87' is self bailing. The gas tank has always (I think) been towards the rear of the cockpit since it went underdeck, also around 78'. My 87' has the teak door.

Airslot

[Skools Out]

my 78' is selfbailing too

[willy]

My gas tank sits amidships, first I got a rounded in floor live well back by transom, pretty large too. Then I got a huge fish box and then in about the middle of the hull I got a aluminum tank.
Mine was originally a sea drive so don't know if that changed the floor plan
And mine is definetly self bailing. I do know they raised the floor higher at some point

[Airslot]

Here is the fuel tank location on an '87.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/Airslot/boatpics015.jpg
You can see where the deck drains in the corners also.

Airslot

[willy]

Yea mine is a completely different floor plan

[rb437]

In my '89 I/O the plastic fuel tank is just forward of the engine compartment. The cuddy door is black lexan.

[msbhammer]

Airslot. I really like your hatch covers ;D ;D. It's ashame that your missing one. :-[
I was missing one as well, but just found one. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
What size Merc. is on your boat. ;D

[bigshrimpin]

Unless you have 30 gallons of fuel in the bilge, I'll be willing to bet your problem is the rubber fuel fill or vent lines.

[reelapeelin]

BS, I's thinkin' that, too...hammer, B4 you go pullin' that tank, double-check ALL possibilities of fuel/vent line leaks...you might save yourself a tank-pullin' ;)...

[Airslot]

m'hammer, I've got a 150 (88') on mine. She treats me real good and I take good care of her, it's a loving relationship. ;D

Airslot

[msbhammer]

hammer,
I had the same leak/smell of gas odar as well on my 86 V-20. Didnt see gas, but smelled a strong odor of it.
The seal around the sending unit was loose. A few loose screws as well. It was a simple quick fix. Look for the most likely problem first. Good luck and keep us posted. If tank needs pulling, there plenty of guys here who can take you through it step by step. But thats only if you submit pictures !! ;D ;D

[Skools Out]

look for the leak with a match lol ;D

[Carl]

Another question on installing a new tank. I pulled the original 46 gal aluminum tank and obtained a 52 gallon plastic tank which will fit real nice. How do you guys restrain the tank. Do I just put a couple of 2x4s over it and that's it or do you use rubber strips and retaining straps - Any advice is appreciated. Thanks


Carl

[Geekie1]

The fuel tank layout on my 84 V20 Cuddy is the same as Airslot's. Mine is a 60 gallon aluminum tank and it leaks. I know it leaks because when we pulled it out for the winter it had 45 gallons of gas and it now has 5 gallons. The leak is probably at the 5 gallon level. (I know because I siphoned out the last 5 gallons)..

Carl, where did you get your replacement fuel tank and what did it cost??

Ed G.

[Carl]

I actually bought it from a guy at work. He bought it new from http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/order/items2.cgi?request=aisle&catnum=2C4G

It is the 52 gal model. It lists new for 299.99 plus shipping. I got from him for a lot less since he bought a few years ago (cheaper) for a project that never materialized for him.

[Geekie1]

Carl, Thanks for the info!!!

Ed G.

[Geekie1]

Carl, one more question. The fuel tank you have is a Moeller 52 gallon belly tank. It's dimenstions are 60L X 24"W X 10" deep.

I have found a Todd 55 gallon belly tank who's dimensions are: 50-3/4"L X 25-1/2"W X 15-1/2" deep. I think the length and width of the Todd tank will fit my V20 hatch. Is 15-1/2" deep too deep???

The reason for asking is the Todd 55 gallon tank is cheaper and holds a little more fuel. I haven't pulled my 60 gallon tank yet so I don't know how deep it is. Thanks in advance for your reply!!!!

Ed G.

[Carl]

G1 - The dimensions of my boat did not allow to use the Todd tank. I had a line on that very tank for about $300 as well. The distance from the top of the centerline stringer to the underside of the deck is 15.5 inches. That is my particular boat which is a '78 hull. The other thing you need to determine is if the advertised tank height includes the distance to the top of the hose connections. That could be as much as 2.5 inches on some tanks. It will also expand a small amount in the heat. Hope it helps


Carl

[Geekie1]

Thanks Carl. Mulv gave me some dimensions on a Wellcraft fuel tank he had from an old V20. His old V20 was pre 80 and by my calculations was about 46 gallons. I think 52 gallons may be ok although I sometimes go offshore up to 20/30 miles. I guess that I will know sizes for sure when I finally the pull the leaker. I am currently using a 24 gallon on deck tank. It gets in the way and cuts down my range. When I pull the tank I will document what I do and take careful measurements and photos. I don't think that leaking V20 fuel tanks are that uncommon and maybe my experience will be helpful to someone.

Ed G.

[willy]

With mine I will have the occasional smell of gas when I open a hatch but am not losing any fuel and there never is any in the bildge, so I really don't know what I should do other than inspect the sending unit seal when the spring opening up goes on. Fillet 1 had smelled it also and pulled the fuel lines and vent hoses and changed them, so other than a very small pin hole somewhere on top or a sending unit seal I am at a loss to explain it.
I have noticed when I fill the tank at a gas station I have to go real slow or fuel will back up the vent tube, never had that in a boat before ???