Zebra Fuel Leak

Zebra · #1 08-04-2005, 07:04 PM

When I pulled the cover over the fuel tank up to replace the sending unit. I ck over the tank condition and the lines and though the tank didnt look real good I hoped it would be ok, cause I'd read the pain in the *** it was to remove. I didnt smell any gas so I put everything back together. Well its my turn, smelled heavy fuel and ck the bilge area and I had fuel standing about 1/2" I guess. Carefully removed the batteries first and removed the cover and ck all the lines. Hoses all looked ok... Removed the fuel from the tank and know I'm in the process of removing the foam. Tough job. Hope I can find a plastic tank that will hold 60 gal. not going down in cap. I've read the other posts about the job and it was helpful. Does anyone know it the tank is foamed in on the bottom and if so how do you cut it away with little access to it. So far just workin on the sides of the tank. Good thing I like workin on my V20 its part of the thrill of v20 ownership. Take the good with the bad. It will be out by this weekend.

Franco · #2 08-04-2005, 07:38 PM

get a buddy - you need several feet of braided wire - like sevenstrand wire - take a metal yard stick and push it down in the foam - seperating the foam from the front of the tank - once you get it seperated push the wire down in the gap - have your buddy grab one end and you grab the other end - wrap it aroung a piece of broom handle to grip it and use it like a wire " saw " seperating the foam from the tank. just my two cents worth

Zebra · #3 08-04-2005, 10:29 PM

Thanks Franco...This is one tough job. Beer break...The foam they used is so dense. Got 4 sides dug out, no movement at all. I gotta believe they have some foam underside. I've got a engine hoist at my office gonna try to put some upward pull on it tomorrow. Hope it will pull out.

Franco · #4 08-04-2005, 11:12 PM

I hope I was clear, the do foam them in, using the wire you can seperate the tank from the foam then use the hoist to lift it free, hope it helps

Zebra · #5 08-05-2005, 11:53 PM

Well the foam didnt go all the way under but it was a bear with the hoist to get it out. Never used the leader wire couldnt get it low enough. The engine hoist was able to put enough preasure on the tank to break it free. Than had to keep trimin the edges to get it out the opening... For you guys that have done this job... Is the cavity that the tank sits in sealed or does it drain into the bilge area. There was alot of fuel in the cavity when i pulled the tank free. And i couldnt find a drain hole into the bilge so far. Put alot of water in the area to dilute the gas. Friday night and I got the tank out, tomorrow on a mission to find a tank... Good work tonight, thanks go to neighbors who lend a helping hand... Beer break with a shot...

Franco · #6 08-05-2005, 11:55 PM

Good job Zebra!!!

Skools Out · #7 08-06-2005, 02:03 AM

All older boats were sealed but now they drain so just drill some 2" holes in the back wall so it will drain. That's what the new boats now have.

reelapeelin · #8 08-08-2005, 08:38 AM

Zebra...didja pressure test your old tank?...or are you sure you wanna buy new?...Skool's gotta good idea about a drain hole, make sure you SEAL the raw wood if you drill that hole out... ;)...

Zebra · #9 08-08-2005, 09:54 AM

no i didnt pressure test tank, but I've cleaned up tank and found a couple of holes all above the 1/2 way line. Yes i would take used plastic if I could find one that would fit and not go down in size. I just want this to be the last time I do this job. Also after playing around with a long Screw driver i did find drain hole in back wall the problem is when they foamed in tank, it got foamed in too. Ive also got a pcv pipe going right down the middle of the gas tank cavity, I guess it drains water from the front

reelapeelin · #10 08-09-2005, 10:39 AM

yeah...I's thinkin' they HAD to get H2o from bow to bilge somehow... ;)...