Aluminum fuel tank has leak

[Fidget]

I just purchased a 76 Fantasy tri hull with 302.

It has a portable gas tank. I was told original gas tank had rust so it was not used. Upon further quick inspection it appears the gas tank is aluminum. Is this right?

I would like to start using original but I know there is some issue because I do keep smelling fuel.

My son is going to help uncover the fuel tank today and see if we can at least remove any fuel that might be in it.

Are there problem areas with these tanks or anything I should be looking for?

 

[alldodge]

If water gets in the tank on the inside, or if water sits around the outside, in time the water will eat thru an aluminum tank. If the tank is encased in foam, check the foam at the bottom of the tank, and if its wet, this is probably what happened

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

unlike other forums, the tags do nothing

regarding your 44 year old aluminum fuel tank. as AD stated, if water sat against the aluminum, even though it was 5052, it will have corroded thru.

could be as simple as the rubber hose deteriorated since they only have about a 20 year life span

could be the foam is soaking wet and the tank corroded from the outside inward

could be there was water in the tank and it corroded from the inside outward

only way to tell is to pull the tank and inspect.

 

[MTboatguy]

There are shops around that do fix aluminum tanks, but with its age and beings it already has a hole in it, there is probably other areas that are getting weak and would rupture on you. Might be time to get a hold of one of the tank manufactures and get a new tank for it.

 

[robert graham]

Check: Moeller Marine Fuel Tanks....polyethylene, all sizes and shapes....may be better, safer, cheaper than trying to repair your old tank...

 

[Fidget]

Thanks all for the input. Yes the foam around the outside is saturated with gas and water. We drained about 3 gallons of fuel. No water in the fuel tank but fuel keeps seeping out of tank. We're going to set up a ladder and come-a-long to remove the tank tomorrow.

I do agree this tank is shot but I would like to have another tank in it's place. The boat came with a good size sorta portable tank but it takes up too much space.

There is another compartment that I need to seal. I don't know if it supposed to be ice chest or fish holding area. It is probably 18"×18" and 10-12" deep in the middle. Anyone know what it might be? I removed the loose material from the bottom.

 

[alldodge]

Look close at where the water came in from, and hope its not the transom. If the boat has a water tank, which is also aluminum, this can be the source of the water