gas tank replacement

[KenO250explorer]

I'm in contract to purchase an 04 250 explorer and at sea trial,  there was 10 gallons of fuel in the bilge -  the mechanic and surveyor state it's the tank,  not an issue w/ the lines -  interested in hearing thoughts on this surgery,  what to look for,  what issues could arrise by doing this,  any structural things to look out for, etc.  

Thanks

[seabob4]

That's not gonna be a fun one.  141 gal aluminum tank, no tank hatch, we're talking deck surgery here.  Between the cost of a new, comparably sized tank, the cutting up of the deck and removal of the old tank, the new install, then the re-installation and finish work of the hatch you just created, you'd be looking at around $3K to have it done by a yard.

You say you are "under contract".  Does the contract have any stipulations in regards to anything major discovered during seatrial?  Major meaning you get your deposit back?  I'm sure it does, just asking.  Will the seller agree to knock off the cost of tank replacement from the selling price?  


Or maybe some yard ape filled a rod holder with 10 gallons of gas...    

[redemn93]

yard apes are a lot more common than most people realize.

[KenO250explorer]

Thanks for the detail Seabob4,  and yes,  I can get out if warranted.   Question,  do they have any factory installed gas filters near the tank that potentially could have leadked?    Reason is the boat is out of state,  and I cannot get there to look at this juncture.

[seabob4]

Thanks for the detail Seabob4,  and yes,  I can get out if warranted.   Question,  do they have any factory installed gas filters near the tank that potentially could have leadked?    Reason is the boat is out of state,  and I cannot get there to look at this juncture.

Ken, there is just the Racor in the bilge area, nothing by the tank, per se...

[KenO250explorer]

thanks,  I'll have the guys look for it

[wingtime]

That is a pretty "young"  Explorer to have a failed fuel tank.  If it is indeed the tank, I would almost bet it is a cracked weld or something over corrosion causing the problem.  Unless something weird happened to it.  Like Bob said, figure on $1500 or so for the tank itself, plus new fuel sender, fuel lines etc.  Labor to cut the deck (there are molded in cut lines in the deck btw) properly seal the deck and reinstall the tank.  So 3K is a pretty good estimate to pay a yard.

[Bergertime]

x2 on what Bruce said...  That much gas is more than corrosion... more likely a tank failure or something else.  One thought.. When I replaced my tank I replaced the fuel lines as well.  When the old were pulled they looked fine plus if the Racor is mounted where mine is (transom wall) it's above the tank so that amount of leaking would be unlikely.  Needless to say if it's the tank I would def walk away.  Too many other boats out there.

Pressure testing the tank (prior to purchase) might be a good idea to rule out the tank regardless on what others say about the cause.

B

[Capt. Bob]

Pressure testing the tank (prior to purchase) might be a good idea to rule out the tank regardless on what others say about the cause.B

Well I'd be one of the others that thinks pressure testing is great when you can see the whole tank.

Here's why.


These tanks fail due to water trapped against the bottom/side/top. Many times this is due to the mounting technique and material used, The tank pictured is a poster child for this. You can have corrosion between the material and the tank surface that will not be indicated by adding 4 psi of pressure to the tank but....

Put a hundred gallons in it and hit a good wave causing the tank to shift even slightly, and that corrosion will break through. I have first hand knowledge of this, twice. It's not an assumption but rather fact.

Ten gallons of fuel in the bilge.
How long has the boat sat with fuel in the tank? Did this just occur yesterday or has the tank been slowly leaking in the bilge over a period of time? With that much fuel, a pressure test should fail. How else can it get out? Fuel line disconnected and it siphoned out? SB's very plausible answer of the rod holder mistaken for the fuel fill?

These are the questions you face.

Good luck

[Bergertime]

Thanks for posting pictures of my nightmare Bob!  That was surgery I would love to forget!  

BTW- My leak at the bilge was approx 4-5 table spoons a week maybe... Certainly enough to warrant a replacement (goes without saying). But 10 gallons...  OMG- That’s a "HOLE" if it's in fact coming from the tank.

Its worthy to note and I know it's kinda a standing joke about pouring fuel in rod holders that really happens...  But if the rod holders are like mine they run through the rails and terminate above deck. It would be hard to get 10 gallons of water/gas to the bilge if the deck drains as designed. It would just run to the back and out the starboard and port deck drains.. a real mess but drain overboard.  This assumes that there are no rodholders foward of where the recessed built-in rod storage racks start on each side.  Just food for thought for Ken who will be looking for the cause and may not be familiar with layout.

B

[seabob4]

Bruce, the 250 Explorer's rod holders are EXACTLY like yours.  Even if some braindead moron DID dump fuel in a rod holder and didn't notice it pouring onto the deck, as it made it's way aft to the corner cockpit scuppers, it still would have drained overboard through the scupper drain hoses.

I was kinda kidding about the yard ape thing...

[Bergertime]

All joking aside I have heard of it happening besides this thread.  As I am sure you would agree... There is no shortage of morons out on the water.  Further.. boats have a way of making a moron into a super moron.. just add alcohol.

Case in point - The driver of the rental boat that ripped off the lower unit by DT St. Pete we were commenting about last week.  What am I doing??  I know I am preaching to the choir here.   :rambo:

B

[wingtime]

I'd say this problem falls into one of two categories. Either it's something simple or it's something major. If it is something simple than this could work in your favor by getting you better deal on the boat with an easy fix. If its something major than I'd walk away from it.

[Capt. Bob]

If it is something simple than this could work in your favor by getting you better deal on the boat with an easy fix. If its something major than I'd walk away from it.

I totally agree.
Since a few of us have gone down this road, we know going in just what we could find, thus no surprises. You need to determine how much you feel comfortable in doing to correct this properly. We do have a great primer on your tank courtesy of BT, that would be a great help to you but.....

You can also see the extent of the work he encountered and that would be how I would base my decision.

Personally, I'd walk. There are others out there. Just my opinion.

Lastly, I'd find it extremely hard to sell a craft that was loaded with fuel in the bilge to a knowledgeable buyer at any price close to the boat's value.

Good luck.

[seabob4]

Personally, I'd walk.

X3, I believe...