Boat sitting for 6 years

[khewell]

I just got a boat that has been sitting for about 6 years.
I have the engine covered and running good.
I was wondering about the built in gas tank.
I noticed the fuel in it has a milky look to it so I have pumped it out.
Should I try and flush it with something or should I try running a few gal. of fuel thru it
the tank is dry now.
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Boat sitting for 6 years

I would flush the tank. have you pulled the sender to actually see in the tank?

what kind of tank? small outboard? large below deck?
are there baffles?

on metal outboard tanks, I have used acetone or lacquer thinner to rinse residue out of tanks. On large below deck tanks, I have used brake cleaner to wash the crud to where I could remove from the corner under the sending unit with a small pump. I have even used POR 15's Marine clean (MARINE CLEAN) to clean fuel tanks.

 

[khewell]

Re: Boat sitting for 6 years

I would flush the tank. have you pulled the sender to actually see in the tank?

what kind of tank? small outboard? large below deck?
are there baffles?

on metal outboard tanks, I have used acetone or lacquer thinner to rinse residue out of tanks. On large below deck tanks, I have used brake cleaner to wash the crud to where I could remove from the corner under the sending unit with a small pump. I have even used POR 15's Marine clean (MARINE CLEAN) to clean fuel tanks.

Metal tank 85 hp below deck and no baffles.
I have pulled the sending unit and it looks clean. just a little concerned
because it did have about a quart of water in it.
Got most of it out maybe a little less than a 1/2 cup left in it. No water just stale gas.

 

[eboat85]

Re: Boat sitting for 6 years

deleted

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Boat sitting for 6 years

eboat85, please start your own thread

khewell, based on your posted observations, I would spray some carb cleaner in there and mop up what you can with a shop rag and call it good.

Happy Boating