gas tank question on a 20' 1979 rebuild

[fighting irish45]

My partner rebuilt a 1979 20' ccp.  Original 50 gal gas tank, on top of the deck it has 2 small access panels.  After doing some work on the sending unit via the access panels I noticed it’s not looking great in there.  Just looks like salt deposits or debris on the top of the  tank.  Wondering if anyone has opinions on this tank.  Trying to get another season out of her before i have to replace.  Just put on a T-top 2 years ago and it’s going to be a pain to get tank out.  Wish I had some pics but i will work on that

[Georgie]

FI-

Sorry to hear the news and I highly doubt you're going to get many "favorable" responses given the info provided.  Those crystals are usually a symptomatic kiss of death.  Fuel tank leaks on outboards aren't quite as dangerous as inboards, but it's still not a good thing to have a leak and potential vapor accumulation near electrical wires when you're on the water.  My last leak "sprung" when I was on a long all day trip but thankfully it was on the top of the tank and not the bottom or I would've never made it home. As crummy as it sounds,  you really should take the time to unbolt the T-Top and console so you can lift the hatch and see how bad it is.   If it turns out to be something you can clean up, maybe you can get another year or two, but chances are she's toast and you'll need to replace her.   :(

[fighting irish45]

yea I was afraid of that, My partner swears by it and said if it were an issue he would have replaced it when he rebuilt it but the more I look at it the more I feel it needs replaced

[Georgie]

In a perfect world maybe the crystals are just from some minor water drippage through the deck plate covering the sendger/gauge and or hoses.  If you want to take his word for it, then take a can of anti-corrosion spray of some sort, spray it in there, wipe up all the goop, debris, cystals, etc. as best you can reaching through both access plates, then spray again for a protective coat, and see how she holds up.  It's merely a "hail-mary", but if his word is good, it might save you a ton of work and time.  Use a hand mirror and flashlight to try and see what the rest of the tank looks like, especially near the straps.

[fighting irish45]

great idea, the access plates do let in some water.  I'll give it a shot

[wingtime]

The tank in my 200XF looked funky.  With lots of white crystals like you describe.  Not sure if they were salt or aluminum oxide.  I was rebuilding the tank cover so since I was in there I pulled the tank.  What I found was severe crevice corrosion pits anywhere something was in contact with the tank.  Such as under the straps and on the bottom where the tank was up against some wood blocks.  My tank wasn't leaking and I decided  to replace it since it was already out.  I decided just for grins to clean the tank.  I hit it with some On Off hull cleaner (acid) and a scotch brite pad.  This removed all the white crystals.  What I found was there was very very small pits or little to no damage where the white crystals were.  the pits where things were in contact with the tank were VERY deep, almost through the tank.  I also cut open the tank.  What I found was the inside of the tank was pristine.

You may have some trouble... you may not.  It's just hard to say.  Inspecting the outside of the tank with a camera or something is a good idea.

[gran398]

A '79 is a '79 any way you slice it. The tank is 35 years old.

On the other hand, the CCP's have fewer issues in general with soft decks, saturated stringers etc. than their 12 degree siblings. You may get another year or two....but regardless...it needs replacing.

[fighting irish45]

Roger that, Thanks for the help guys, I'm going to give her a clean this week then after I rebuild the carbs on the motor I'm going to take the t-top and cc apart and take a look.

*Does anyone know the demenions on the gas tank of a  1979 20' aquasport ccp? Ive been looking online the past 2 days and can't find much info