84 Mercury gas tank

[Wide_One]

I have an 84 Merc 115 horse. It would bog down at full throttle. I removed the pick up and cleaned it out. It was really dirty. After replacing it, my boat ran great for about 1 minute. Than it started again. I can slowly give it more gas and it will come close to planing. After everything I read on here I think it is the fuel pump. However, I removed the gas tank and it was full of crud. Looked like coffee grounds. Even though I cleaned the intake, could the gas tank still have been the problem? Also, where is the best place to buy a CHEAP replacement tank?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

Wide_One <br />Sure could be the problem. Sounds like it's still sucking up garbage from the bottom and clogging the pick-up strainer. Is there a reason you can't clean the tank? Is it a built in tank?

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

Wide-one--Yes to the tank can still be the problem. Is you tank a builtin or portable? Also what gallon size?<br /><br />If 6 gal portable try academyor wally world-9 to 13 dollars. 12 gal portable academy or bass pro---40 to 45 dollars. <br /><br />Built in Order from bass pro or overtons size and type 80 to 150 dollars.<br /><br />Also where in central texas are you located.<br /><br />Hope this helps

 

[dstuard]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

It was a built in 18 gallon. I think I will replace it with a 12 gallon from bass pro shops. It was Hell getting out. So should I go ahead and rebuild the fuel pump or just try the tank first? I coach in Thorndale. It is 45 minutes from Austin. I used to coach in Boyd which is near Fort Worth.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

That's an awfully small tank for that thirsty 115 Motor. Might want to reconsider the bigger one.

 

[dstuard]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

Also is the fuel pump kit pretty easy to do?

 

[Wide_One]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

I am going to try and clean this tank out. I have read that there are sealers that will take care of any rust left on the sides. Can anyone tell me where I can get this?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

How many names are you posting under? Very confusing.....

 

[Wide_One]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

Sorry - I post under someone else while at work.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 84 Mercury gas tank

Hi Wide_One <br />Try doing a search on "Fuel Tank Cleaning" at the top of this page in red. There have been many posts about how to clean tanks. Some use BB's(Like in a BB gun) or nuts and bolts. Dump a box of them in your tank along with some denatured alcohol and go to shaking. Breaks up the rust and gunk in the bottom. Then just dump it out and let it dry before you install it. If you have a hard time getting all the BB's or Bolts out, just use a magnetetic pick-up tool to get them out.