Fuel Tank Removal...What a nightmare!

[joe7670]

Got any help?

Hole on corner with roped bolt. Rope running to a 2X4 with 2 guys pulling on the 2x4 on the corner seemed to work.

[nymack66]

I used a engine hoist and lifted mine right out, this was after the pressure washer failed etc.
Use a rod insert it in the hole and attach it to a chain hook it up to the hoist , at the time my hull lifted off the trailer before it pop ..Do one side either back or front ..

[MDixon]

tried again with a chain instead of straps. I tensioned it so the side would get the most attention. It popped up in no time. Noe the bad news is the plum size hole in the bottom and the numerous other places showing deap corrosion. Guess It's time to go shopping. Thanks for the assistance all.

[csvencer]

Might be a stupid question, but still gonna ask. For everyone that has replaced there tanks and found holes, did you have a leaky tank before hand or what? I have the original tank still in the deck but don't seem to have any leaks. What has been the deciding factor to pull the tank out?

-Svence

[joe7670]

Awesome!

I used http://www.sunshinemarinetanks.com/ for my tank after another forum member recommended them. They are local in Miami, but can ship tank to you. That is if you are interested in replacing with aluminum tank.

Their turnaround was about 1 week and they did a great job. Tank comes with sender unit and fittings.

[MDixon]

I didn't have a real noticable leak. The PO filled it up with water trying to clean it out and after draining, I just couldn't get it clean. I was a bit surprized to see the hole.

[Bonita Dan]

Eww,thats pretty bad man. Glad ya found this out before some serious accident may have happened,AKA BOOM! When I did mine,I gave the dimesions(sp) of the hole to the fabricator and they gave me a tank with 10 more gallons added to it. Aluminum coated with coal tar epoxy is the way to go. Oh and go with the new sender they offer ya,believe me I know. Good luck man.

[bradford]

Originally Posted by csvencer

Might be a stupid question, but still gonna ask. For everyone that has replaced there tanks and found holes, did you have a leaky tank before hand or what? I have the original tank still in the deck but don't seem to have any leaks. What has been the deciding factor to pull the tank out?

-Svence

That tank looks new compared to my old one! I had a couple of fist sized holes plus a bunch of dime sized ones, so many I didn't even bother counting the small pin holes. The boat didn't have any smell of gas or leaks in the bilge. I had taken it out at least half a dozen times. It finally started to have just a slight bit of gas in the bilge. I figured it was a loose hose connection. I pulled the cover off and pushed down on the tank with my foot and gas shot up like a geyser from between the tank and the foam.

[jjjtronics]

I got tired of cleaning the carbs and finding water deposits inside them. I started using two external ( red ) 6 gal tanks and the engine runs like new and no more problems. So, I will have to replace the old tank someday. THANKS for the thread, the pictures and the info.

[nymack66]

Originally Posted by bradford

That tank looks new compared to my old one! I had a couple of fist sized holes plus a bunch of dime sized ones, so many I didn't even bother counting the small pin holes. The boat didn't have any smell of gas or leaks in the bilge. I had taken it out at least half a dozen times. It finally started to have just a slight bit of gas in the bilge. I figured it was a loose hose connection. I pulled the cover off and pushed down on the tank with my foot and gas shot up like a geyser from between the tank and the foam.

This is exactly why the compartment is isolated and does NOT drain in to bilge area, the foam absorbs it and contain the smell, so yes you can have a hole and not know it ..