Plastic or Aluminum Fuel Tank

[Seaarrow54]

In a turmoil, I need to replace my fuel tank. Have read several post on here but cannot seem to find a direct answer to the question of which is a better tank, plastic or aluminum tank. I have a pontoon boat with open tank storage with a 55 HP Yamaha. I use the pontoon year around in Oklahoma. Currently have a old steel tank that pressures the fuel out when not running. When I stop to fish I have to disconnect the fuel line. I tried loosening the cap but still seems to push fuel out.

Thanks in advance'
Steve

 

[Scott Danforth]

yes

fix your old tank, should not be building pressure

 

[GA_Boater]

Does your tank have a vent, either a screw in the cap or a vent hose. Don't see how the pressure is building if the cap is loosened.

 

[Scott Danforth]

only thing that I could think of is tank is over-filled

 

[GA_Boater]

only thing that I could think of is tank is over-filled

The vent would squirt - Path of least resistance. It has to have some kind of vent and metal tanks don't have an EPA cap.

 

[Alaskan native]

Where is it pushing the fuel out? To answer your question. I prefer aluminum for durability. Plastic may be cheaper. The sun will take its toll an plastic.

 

[randale]

Where is it pushing the fuel out? To answer your question. I prefer aluminum for durability. Plastic may be cheaper. The sun will take its toll an plastic.

I wouldn't trust a plastic either as they can easily deteriorate.

 

[Seaarrow54]

My thanks to everyone that responded.
As far as the tank having any type of vent, it does not. What I had begun doing was loosing the cap when I was running the engine. I also began disconnecting the fuel line from the tank when I finished with the boat. For the interim I purchased a new plastic tank with a vented cap. Hopefully this will fix the problem until I get a aluminum tank installed.

Again thanks for the help

 

[82rude]

Well ive used my plastic tank for 15? years.When is it suppose to fall apart?My preference is for plastic because I use 2 portable 12 gallon tanks for my 60 etec.Gives me lots of fishing or travelling time.Direct hot sunshine can play havoc with any tank unless their vented.I have a 6 gallon plastic jerry can that is now a 7 1/2 gallon can due to expansion.My tanks are always out of the sunlight as much as possible.