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Author Topic: Loose fuel Tank  (Read 438 times)

October 23, 2017, 03:56:53 PM
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daniel123

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Loose fuel Tank
« on: October 23, 2017, 03:56:53 PM »
After draining the 45 gallon stock poly fuel tank in my 1999 200 Osprey we found while removing the fuel filler port we could move the empty tank around around a bit. I assume that means the straps that secured the boat have failed. Any advice for troubleshooting/repairing that? And in the meanwhile, how dangerous is it (we could only move it a couple inches forward and back and an inch side to side at most, but didn't 'push' it...) and what can be done for a short-term fix?   

November 22, 2017, 08:46:58 AM
Reply #1

RickK

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Re: Loose fuel Tank
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2017, 08:46:58 AM »
Daniel,
A poly tank needs room to grow (from exposure to gas) initially.  The tank size was selected to allow that during the design. I would not think that they would have just thrown the tank in the well and closed the lid although we've seen some weird things. I would think that it has or had a bar across the tank to keep it from moving much.  When I converted mine to having a belly tank I left room around it for 2% expansion and installed a piece of composite across the top in the spot designed for it. I don't think moving around a little when empty is a big thing.  It needs not to be slamming around when full, for sure. The tank has done it's growing by now so you could wedge some starboard around it - make sure you don't create a puncture possibility.  I did the same thing on the 40 gal water tank I added to my 230, which I documented here. I didn't care if it moved a little, I didn't want it to move a lot.
Rick
1971 "170" with 115 Johnson (It's usable but not 100% finished)

1992 230 Explorer with 250 Yamaha

November 28, 2017, 04:32:18 PM
Reply #2

daniel123

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Re: Loose fuel Tank
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2017, 04:32:18 PM »
 That makes sense, Rick. It doesn't move far (couple inches at most). Thanks for getting back to me on that.

Dan

 


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