Saddle Tank Cleaning

[Hedge]

I have read numerous post on here and THT regarding this issue. I have seen ways ranging from cutting a hole in the tank, using a match, to a shop vac, but nothing really seems smart, practical or useful to me. Is there a recommended way that will actually work?

First of all, I want to make sure they are actually good and don't leak, could they be filled with water to check this?

[tsubaki]

No, water is thicker than gas.
I would also suggest mixing oil in the fuel to make it easier to identify a leak.
I removed mine, rinsed with water and kept emptying and repeated rinsing till I was happy with the cleanliness. Then added about a gallon of gas to help remove leftover water and other possible trash.
The sending units being removed during this whole process is helpful.

[spareparts]

all three of those ways are a good way to eliminate your gas tank problem, your boat problem, and any heath issues you have, if you are heavily insured, your wife will appreciate the effort.
Seriously, don't do any of those ways, they are very dangerous. First off, is there any gas in the tanks? If there is, pump all the gas out. With saddle tanks, it may be easier to remove them and give them a good washing out with degreaser and water. You need to replace the fuel fill lines, vent lines and fuel lines any way aren't you? If there is any gas in the tanks, you need to properly dispose of it. IF you want to check the tanks for leaks, add a different food coloring to each tank(you can tell which tank is leaking), When you fill them up start with a 1/4, then half full, then 3/4. That way if one tank leaks, you can transfer it to the other tank, and you can tell where the leak is(near the bottom if it start leaking right away , half way up the tank if it start on teh next fill, and so on). If it only leaks when you have it all the way full, odds are its at a weld joint for the fuel lines, or the fuel sender. Best way to clean your tanks is to put some E15 or E85 gas in it, then tow it around to slosh it all around the tank, nothing will clean out a tank better than ethanol. Pump the tank out and dispose of teh gas.

[tsubaki]

Oh and don't be tempted to pressure test one of these tanks.
Before they leave the place of manufacture there are pressure tested at around or less than 15psi.
Look at this thread.
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/communit...ighlight=specs
Page 11 starts the with the tanks and page 21 is where one did have a leak.

[Hedge]

Thanks for the responses.

First of all the tanks are dry, and have been for years. I just run from portable tanks but I want to check them out and get them useable to gain back space taken by the portable tanks. I like the food coloring idea to determine a leak.

I think I will fill them in the boat just to see if they leak or not. Then I will remove to clean and replace all the lines while they are out.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Hedge

Thanks for the responses.

First of all the tanks are dry, and have been for years. I just run from portable tanks but I want to check them out and get them useable to gain back space taken by the portable tanks. I like the food coloring idea to determine a leak.

I think I will fill them in the boat just to see if they leak or not. Then I will remove to clean and replace all the lines while they are out.

Think about it...if they are dry, take 'em out before you do anything else...those saddle tanks are EASY to remove and like Spare says, replace all hoses anyway...if there's crud in the bottom, you can put some gas in, shake around, soak, then shake some more and get the crud out..easily done out of the boat...if there's a leak, better spilled on the ground than inside your boat...good luck and let us know how it cleans up...

[axespino]

I emptied mine and used a heated power washer. That heat broke all kinds of varnish gunk out. I took them to have some fittings welded on the end about a inch up since the dip tubes had pin holes in them.