aluminum gas tank cleaning

[Al8429]

So I just bought my first boat. Needed a few repairs to get it running. The boat has an aluminum gas tank fitted under the floor. There is only enough of the tank exposed for the hoses and filler neck. Tried pumping the fuel bulb and after a long time I came to the conclusion that the lines are clogged. Shoved the fuel line down the filler neck and finally got fuel to the engine and got it running for the first time in years. After I pulled the hose out of the filler neck there was alot of residue on the line. Looked like butter. I pumped out the old gas before all this and it didn't smell good or look good. Filled it up with sea foam and fresh pure gasoline no ethanol. So my question is there a way to clean the tank without removing it? I really don't want to rip up the floors to clean the tank. And I really don't want a aux fuel tank taking up room in the already small boat

 

[Woodonglass]

Well, maybe, kinda, sorta!!!! But not easily. Do you have access to the sending unit?

 

[Al8429]

Not too sure. I do see a small circle plate about the size of a dip can with a wire going in it. There is 3 hoses attached to the tank and a wire or two going in the tank. Looks like the biggest hole is the hole for the filler neck

Also the boat is a 14' ski boat with a 50hp johnson outboard

 

[Woodonglass]

Ok the plate with the wire on it is the sending unit. This may sound crazy but...It will work pretty well. Take the sending unit out and then drain the tank as best you can then put 2 cups of DAWN Liquid dish soap in the tank and then pour 5 gallons of BOILING HOT WATER in the tank. Then put a 10 ft length of chain in the tank and secure the end of the chain on the outside and then tape the hole shut as best you can with duct tape. Now hook the boat up and go for a drive on the bumpiest roads you can find. Make sure the motor is tied down securely or take it off the boat (That's the best thing to do) The Boiling hot water, soap and chain) will degrease the inside of the tank very well. 30-45 minutes later take it to a car wash and flush out the tank with the wash. Then back home and drain the tank again and then use air to blow it out. Leave it set for a few days and keep blowing it out to get it dry. I think you'll be amazed at how clean it will be. That's how an Old Dumb Okie would do it. But you might not want to go to all that trouble.:noidea:

 

[Al8429]

Sounds better than ripping up the floor. Think I can do the same thing if I use a temporary tank and drive the boat on the water kinda crazy like lol or when the water is rough. Dodge ram steering system are kinda sensitive lol

 

[JameO]

That's a good trick. It will work. I've done something similar to that with stainless ....

 

[Bondo]

Shoved the fuel line down the filler neck and finally got fuel to the engine and got it running for the first time in years. After I pulled the hose out of the filler neck there was alot of residue on the line. Looked like butter.

Ayuh,.... You do realize that crap is now in the fuel filters, fuel pump, 'n carbs, Right,..??

 

[Watermann]

You can try this stuff too...

 

[BillP]

How big a tank? Anyway, it's aluminum so you won't have the rust flake/scale problem to deal with...tumbling the tank around with nuts/bolts/rocks etc is better suited to descale. Your issue is petroleum solids that need to be disolved and flushed. They stay somewhat liquid for years if gas is still present. If the tank sat dry for 10 yrs they will turn into a thick sludge. Heavy concentrations of SeaFoam will easily melt the worst case solids here and turn it into a flushable liquid. The sludge may not be as bad as it smells. I cleaned a 6 gal tank this week that sat for the last 8-10 yrs and had a gallon or so of 50:1 gas left at the bottom. It looked and smelled terrible with the beginnings of solids on the bottom...it quickly diluted and is flushing clean with only fresh gas and a couple oz of Sea Foam.

Years back I cleaned the tank of an OB that sat in my shop 16 yrs with a full tank on top. The gas totally evaporated and had the thick sludge that was almost like soft tar. It smelled like shellac. Sea Foam quickly disolved this stuff too. Some old timers here may remember...I think I posted pics here to show an empiracle test of how Sea Foam compared to another brand cleaner. Once you get the solids disolved it is all about flushing the tank.

Going back further I had a rusted 6 gal OMC metal tank. I put rocks in, jacked the back of my car up and strapped the tank to a rear wheel. I cranked it up and let it idle in gear for an hour or so (yes I know, but I was 40 yrs younger too). The tank came out sparkling clean and I was able to flush the loose rust easily.

More than likely you only have sour gas that needs to be flushed. At least put a cheap clear filter inline to let you see what is going though after you clean it.

bp

 

[gm280]

Yes I have to agree. I don't think you will need the chain or rocks or even nuts and bolts. Those are great ideas for a rusted tank. But since yours is merely sludged up tank, go the chemical route and I think you will be able to clean it pretty easily...

 

[BillP]

You can try this stuff too...

For what its worth..in a side by side test (mentioned in my other post) I did between Sea Foam and that Startron, the Sea Foam started melting the sludge in about 30 minutes to total liquid overnight. The Startron showed no change after sitting much longer...if memory is right I let it sit for 2 weeks and it did nothing to break down the sludge. That was maybe 10 yrs ago so they may have changed the formula by now but Sea Foam blew Startron out of my shop forever.

bp

 

[Gold Eagle Co]

Hey everyone,

It sounds like a simple cleaning of the tank with a quality additive may do the trick. We would be happy to get some samples of STA-BIL? 360? Marine out to the first 5 people willing to give it a try. STA-BIL? 360? Marine will stabilize gas, clean the tank, prevent rust & corrosion - both above and below the fuel line. Simply shoot us a PM with your full name and address and we'll get that right out. We'll also include some 303? Products.

http://www.goldeagle.com/STA-BIL360-Performance-Marine-Campaign

Remember, some additives out there make some far reaching claims and others do what the labels say they'll do. Always do a little research of your own before deciding on an additive.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Have a great day!

 

[BillP]

Hey everyone,

It sounds like a simple cleaning of the tank with a quality additive may do the trick. We would be happy to get some samples of STA-BIL? 360? Marine out to the first 5 people willing to give it a try. STA-BIL? 360? Marine will stabilize gas, clean the tank, prevent rust & corrosion - both above and below the fuel line. Simply shoot us a PM with your full name and address and we'll get that right out. We'll also include some 303? Products.

http://www.goldeagle.com/STA-BIL360-Performance-Marine-Campaign

Remember, some additives out there make some far reaching claims and others do what the labels say they'll do. Always do a little research of your own before deciding on an additive.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Have a great day!

I tried to pm you and the editor wouldn't let me type in or send a message and don't want to post my address publicly. I have 4 outboards and 2 small gas engines. Can you pm me?

thanks, Bill

 

[Gold Eagle Co]

Bill,

PM coming right up! Let us know if you don't receive one shortly..

 

[BillP]

Bill,

PM coming right up! Let us know if you don't receive one shortly..

I sent a reply but the pm reply isn't working correctly so I hope you got it.

Bill

 

[rpdenney]

Bill,

PM coming right up! Let us know if you don't receive one shortly..

I recently purchased a Bayliner Classic 2252. It has a 55 gallon tank onboard,, and there is about 20-25 gallons of fuel left in the tank. I know the guy I bought it from had it in storage for two+ years.

My questions are:
1. What is the best way to get the old fuel out?
2. Is the old fuel totally worthless?
3. Would Sta Bil 360 work in this situation? I would be willing to give it a try.

Thank you

--
"Non Sibi Sed Patriae!"

 

[Gold Eagle Co]

I recently purchased a Bayliner Classic 2252. It has a 55 gallon tank onboard,, and there is about 20-25 gallons of fuel left in the tank. I know the guy I bought it from had it in storage for two+ years.

My questions are:
1. What is the best way to get the old fuel out?
2. Is the old fuel totally worthless?
3. Would Sta Bil 360 work in this situation? I would be willing to give it a try.

Thank you

--
"Non Sibi Sed Patriae!"

rpdenney,

Great questions.

1. What we generally recommend is siphoning the gas into a separate gas safe container. Following that, give your local public works facility a call and see what they suggest for gasoline disposal. Some may take care of that for you or they may recommend a local company that handles that.

2. Once gas has oxidized or turned to gum & varnish, no additive will help. You need to use a stabilizer from the start to prevent gas from gumming up.

3. STA-BIL? 360 Marine (as with all stabilizers/ethanol treatments) should be used with fresh gas. This will help ensure the fuel you have stays fresh for an extended period of time.

We hope we answered your questions sufficiently. Please let us know if anything needs elaboration or clarification.

Have a great day!