1979 22-2 FF fuel tank cleaning

[cclovern]

Gentlemen

 I ran into an issue when I filled my fuel tank ,and tried to start the engine. It started and ran well , but when I backed it down the ramp and into the water it would not stay running. I ran it on a 6 gallon tank and it had no issues , I have replaced the fuel pump diaphram and gaskets , went through all the carbs and fuel filters. As long as I am on the portable tank alls well , I drained several gallons from the main tank there was water and some dark color to the fuel. I have replaced the fuel fill line , vent and engine supply.
 I am going to drain and try to remove the tank from the boat tomorrow , my problem comes in when trying to clean the tank. There is only access through the fuel gauge opening , it's about 1 1/2" in diameter. My big mitts will not fit any ideas ?
 The tank is aluminum and 85 gallons capacity , I added a water remover to the fuel today , but I'd like to get at the inside and make sure it is clean.

[slvrlng]

You might need to find someone that does fuel polishing like flounderpounder did. It sounds like you don't want to replace the tank yet. Have you had it out before? If you have not, then it might be that time as about 20 to 25 years is about all anyone can expect for a lifetime on a tank.

[GoneFission]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but probably that '79 tank needs a replacement.  

And don't be surprised at the mess when you pull the tank out.

[Capt. Bob]

CJ is right, its time has come.  :td3:
Two words:

Drain (responsibility) and replace. 

Good luck and post some pics of the procedure you use.

[cclovern]

Ok a replacement is a possibility , I do not beleive it is the original tank. It is aluminum with a USCG approval rating , I can't read the date the engine was changed in 1987 I suspect the tank was as well.
 I have a Racor fuel filter I am going to install , what about using a pneumatic pump to circulate the fuel through it until clean ?

[slvrlng]

Go to the auto parts store and get a fuel pump for any car. Tie in some leads that are about 20 feet long and simply hook it up to a battery. You don't want the battery contacts anywhere near the fuel source.

[Capt. Bob]

It is aluminum with a USCG approval rating , I can't read the date the engine was changed in 1987 I suspect the tank was as well.

Well it's only 24 years old then :|  but what you have to have to figure out is this; How dry has it been in those 24 years? Was the install perfect and the tank coffin ventilated so that any condensation on the outside could dry and still keep stuff like rain and water from use, out.
USCG approval doesn't seem to extend the life of an aluminum tank that tends to stay wet. 24 years is a fair tank life, assuming it has been replaced.
When you pull it out you may be shocked or pleasantly surprised. Hope for the latter.

I have a Racor fuel filter I am going to install , what about using a pneumatic pump to circulate the fuel through it until clean ?

You could run it through a filter funnel like this:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10442

It may take a little longer but would let you see what you have and you could save a little on the filter cartridge costs. You'll find they get dirty quickly.

Personally, I'd burn what I removed in the lawn mower or my son's Ford Ranger or my older son's Geo. Been there, done that.
No T shirt.

[jdupree]

Even if the tank was replaced in 1987, in my opinion it is still suspect.

[flounderpounder225]

The point with a professional tank cleaning and fuel polishing is the equipment used moves the fuel at such a great rate, I think the man who did mine, his small pump moves around 75 GPM, that it breaks loose all the scale and varnish in the tank, nothing escapes the several stages of filters on the pumps.

[MarshMarlowe196]

I added a water remover to the fuel today.

No such thing.  

The only thing that will remove water from your fuel is a fuel/water separator, and its only gonna remove it's capacity before you're running straight water or ethanol water to your engine.  The fuel pickup is on the bottom of the tank, and that's where the water or separated fuel will be.

You can filter and polish the fuel and the tank til it's fresh and clean, but that will do nothing for you or the tank if the tank is leaky or on the verge of leaking.  If it were me, I'd pull the tank and make sure its worth paying for the cleaning service before you move forward.

Being your boat is a Family Fisherman and has a tank hatch that is not obstructed by a center console or the like, removing the tank should be fairly easy-



Remove all the fuel you can via the pickup hose running to the motor, remove the hatch, remove the foam surrounding the tank (if its there), remove the filler and vent lines, pickup hose, the ground wire and hoist it out.  This took me about an hour total on my 19-6 CC.  Then get the tank pressure tested... if it leaks, time to replace.

I wouldn't continue using a tank this old even with fresh clean fuel until you've determined that it does not leak...     Safety First.

I never had my tank professionally cleaned, it's all original since 73', I did remove it, clean it myself with degreaser, and then pressure tested it.  My boat did not see much use and was kept in dry storage before I bought it.  I got lucky, and maybe you will too, but you will never know until you pull the tank.

[gran398]

You'll know a helluva lot more when you get it pulled.

There are plenty of pics on here that show the tank looks decent from the top....and the bottom looks like it was the backstop at a turkey shoot.

[cclovern]

Update for the day tank was drained removed and cleaned. I used the fuel pump idea posted here to drain the fuel through a Rancor fuel water seperator and drained off any water. I flushed the tank with a degreaser and rinsed it , inside and out it was in good condition. I put a 3 psi pressure air test on it without any leaks. I will install it tomorrow and test run the engine.

 Thanks to those that provided constructive input , pics will follow when I get the posting procedure down.
 The fuel coffin was vented and a drain to the bilge is working . I believe the condition of the tank both inside and outside are different saltwater versus freshwater. Salt water will attack aluminum freshwater will but at a slower rate . I know the engine has not seen saltwater due to the condition of the lower unit bolts .

 The water remover is called Heet it acts as a suspension device and adds octane to allow the water to be burned off.

[Capt. Bob]

The water remover is called Heet it acts as a suspension device and adds octane to allow the water to be burned off.

Oh no  

PS...... I'm glad it was a pleasant surprise.  Tanks (like fuel) while certainly needed, are expensive. You can run your boat without a fancy hardtop or tower (and save some serious coin) but I haven't seen an air aspirated engine powered craft yet without a tank. Not on this Forum anyway.

[GoneFission]

Heet is primarily eythl alcohol - and it used primarily as a fuel line anti-freeze (hence the name Heet - get it?) It does not remove water, it combines with it and allows it to be burned as fuel.  You could get the same results using gas with ethnol.

[saltfly]

If you are going to take out the tank and inspect it. And you find it has no leaks. You can have it steam cleaned. We have a guy in the Balto. Area that does that, then dries it. He has saved more tanks for people then you would think. The only problem you may have. Is finding some one in you area to do it. But like has all ready been said. Your tank if old most likely has holes starting to form and need to be replaced.