1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

[mrsokee]

Is there a fuel drain somewhere on this boat? There is a drain at the back of the boat, but I'm thinking it's a bilge drain, not fuel. We're thinking we will have to tip the boat and/or pull the fuel tank to rid it of some water accumulation, but if there is a faster, easier way, it'd be great to know.

If there isn't a drain, has anyone ever put one in? Seems like it would be a good idea to have.

 

[rbh]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

I have never seen a drain bung on a marine gas tank.
Easiest way to drain a tank is remove the fuel pickup tube located on the top of the tank.
park the boat so one side is higher than the other and the front is jacked up.
(Forces the crud into one corner)
Find a hand pump thats fuel acceptable and has a long enough pick up tube, shove into the corner and pump out.

 

[mrsokee]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

Thanks, rbh. That's what we figured.

Any reason why people don't put in an auxiliary drain? Shouldn't be hard if doing a rebuild and the tank has to come out anyway. Maybe some regulation?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

because if it ever leaked it'd build up in the hull and blow you up.... unlike a land vehicle that if it leaked it would run out on the ground

 

[dgarner]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

If you have water in the tank I would look for some water remover from and auto supply store "isoheet" You could also buy a gas filter with the water separator this will make sure you're not getting water to the engine. Seems a lot of trouble pulling the tank out just to remove water. I'd try other method before removing tank.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

Thanks, rbh. That's what we figured.

Any reason why people don't put in an auxiliary drain? Shouldn't be hard if doing a rebuild and the tank has to come out anyway. Maybe some regulation?

Naw,... More like common sense...

Gasoline vapor is heavier than air, 'n won't dissipate in a Hole in the water...

 

[rincon madness]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

i rigged this handy pump to pull out gas from my boats. I got a 12v fuel pump and attached two hoses, got some cable, gator clips and kept the battery far away from the lines, and gas can. attached one end to the fuel line with adapter and ran the other into the gas can. Works like a champ. In fact, I made a "special blend" and poured the gas into my vehicles.

 

[mrsokee]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

because if it ever leaked it'd build up in the hull and blow you up.... unlike a land vehicle that if it leaked it would run out on the ground

OK, well if ANYTHING with fuel leaks we're in trouble. So that is not a valid reason, IMO.

Gasoline vapor is heavier than air, 'n won't dissipate in a Hole in the water...

First off, I'm not asking about a vent. It's a drain. Next, gasoline vapour is lighter than air, unlike propane which is heavier and would settle in the bottom of the boat causing huge problems. As for dissipating in a Hole in the water... Well, the drain would be CLOSED unless needed.

We did indeed tip the boat and pump out the fuel tank easily enough, but if ever needed again, a drain would be easier methinks.

Currently we are thinking that there may be a leak in the fuel tank. Have yet to investigate fully, but if we have to pull the tank, I'm thinking we should put in a drain. Just can't think of a good reason not to if we end up in there anyway.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

OK, well if ANYTHING with fuel leaks we're in trouble. So that is not a valid reason, IMO.



First off, I'm not asking about a vent. It's a drain. Next, gasoline vapor is lighter than air, unlike propane which is heavier and would settle in the bottom of the boat causing huge problems. As for dissipating in a Hole in the water... Well, the drain would be CLOSED unless needed.

We did indeed tip the boat and pump out the fuel tank easily enough, but if ever needed again, a drain would be easier methinks.

Currently we are thinking that there may be a leak in the fuel tank. Have yet to investigate fully, but if we have to pull the tank, I'm thinking we should put in a drain. Just can't think of a good reason not to if we end up in there anyway.

there generally aren't gasoline tank drains on ANYTHING but a leak in a boat is much more likely to cause an explosion so it IS a valid reason...... gasoline fumes are NOT lighter than air and will collect in the bilge..... there aren't drains on the bottom of the tanks because they are not needed and are a potential leak..... Do what you will but don't come crying here if you go BOOM lol

Glad you got it handled and PLEASE don't start your engine if you have any suspicion of a fuel leak

 

[mrsokee]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

there generally aren't gasoline tank drains on ANYTHING but a leak in a boat is much more likely to cause an explosion so it IS a valid reason...... gasoline fumes are NOT lighter than air and will collect in the bilge..... there aren't drains on the bottom of the tanks because they are not needed and are a potential leak..... Do what you will but don't come crying here if you go BOOM lol

Glad you got it handled and PLEASE don't start your engine if you have any suspicion of a fuel leak

I had to look this up -- you guys are right: Molecular weight: Gas vapours 66; air 28.966. Learn something everyday.:redface:

We are looking into the fuel thing for sure before we do anything I still disagree about the drain / leak thing though. Where-ever there is fuel, there is a danger. I've got a filler line going in, a vent line, feeder lines to the engine, the tank itself: any one of which could leak. I don't see how a drain line would be any different. I don't know if we will actually do it or not; MDH says it was very easy to drain the tank anyway. But at this point I'm just trying to understand the reasoning. I get like that.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

Have to go with the gov. req. on no drain plugs on fuel tanks. Most of us would be fine with the plugs, but a hot day, working on the boat for hours and a few cold ones and the IQ is way too low.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1974 SRV 220 Mercruiser (302) fuel drain

at this point I'm just trying to understand the reasoning. I get like that.

For two reasons, One is the same reason that there is an anti siphon valve in the pickup..... so that you can't have a gravity fed leak in the boat..... the other is as I said above.... there is NO NEED for it.... good luck and happy boating