Water in the tank and checking for leaks

[floridamisser52]

After going to the lake and leaving the drain plug out and contaminating the gas I'd like to do two things. Get the gas out and check for leaks. Does this sound like a decent plan?

1) in the event my anti siphon valve is not allowing me to drain from there can I bypass it by going to the taking off the sending unit then replace the rubber ring?

2) to leak check can I pressurize the system by drilling into the gas cap and mount a valve with a pressure gauge and pump it up a  few pounds and start spraying some soapy water around. After that I would replace the cap.

Sound like the easiest way? Thanks!

[wingtime]

Yes the easiest way to drain the tank is to pull off the sending unit and drop in a siphon hose.  This allows you to use a larger hose to drain the tank than the 3/8 fuel line.

Seabob will chime in soon on pressure testing the tank.  But you have to block off the vent hose.  You may be able to use the fuel line itself as a pressure input.  Keep in mine we are talking about VERY low pressure here.  3-4 PSI at most ( maybe less?).  Even that much will bow the heck out of the tank. Finding a gauge that reads that low is not easy.  When pressure testing aircraft fuel tanks I used a home made manometer with colored water to test the tank.  Even then with just a few inches of water pressure was amazing how much it bowed out the tanks.

[Capt. Bob]

Aluminum or poly tank in your boat?

[floridamisser52]

It's not aluminum . And I'm leaning more toward fiberglass as opposed to poly. Thanks.!

[Capt. Bob]

It's not aluminum . And I'm leaning more toward fiberglass as opposed to poly. Thanks.!

This is a 1998 model Aqua correct?

Fiberglass , it would be first one I've seen in any year Aqua .
I'm guessing it's a poly.

Here's water intrusion thread that's rather recent. Maybe an idea or two.
viewtopic.php?p=109041#p109041

Water in the tank on an aluminum tank (think old, thus corroded + condensation) is common. Polys tend not to rot like alums but I guess they could split.

[wingtime]

You only see fiberglass tanks in large boats.  (Think Hatteras etc.)  I believe all the Aquasports built in the late 90's had poly tanks except the larger models. (24' and above)  If it's poly (probably is) your probably good unless it is split.  I think you would know if it is split.... and I don't think it is that common of a problem.

[floridamisser52]

Thanks Wingtime and Capt. Bob. As usual ya'lls wisdom and expertise will come in handy. Once the tank is pressurized and I spray soapy water about and find bubbles can I assume that's where I had water penetration? If its the gasket on the fuel sender would the fix be to 5200 the outside of the gasket and then put a small dollop on the screws? Also, I would have never thought to block off the vent. I think I remember seeing something when I took off the pie plate. Is that the location of the vent?

[dburr]

100x NO on the 5200 'cause you want to be able to get it apart in the future and if you had to pull the sender out you'd be cryin in your bug juice! :(   .. Permetex makes a gasket sealer that works well for the purpose the stuff is black (can't find the tube I have to give you the name..)  Also the boys are 100% correct on the lowest air pressure you can get, 1-2 pounds is almost too much.  

The vent should be a little fitting on the outside of the hull on the side of the fuel fill.  Little rig with a hole and a screen that aims down and aft, located slightly below the rub rail.

Good luck!

[Capt. Bob]

Here's a couple of pics to review as to a possible water intrusion source.
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... user=24258

I need to search for some others.