fuel tank cleaning

[ladano]

I have a '84 skeeter f-80 with a plastic tank. The boat had sat up for several years, the fuel had evaporated and left a hard varnish in the bottom. What can I do to clean it out, or is it safe to run this way? Thanx

 

[Solittle]

Re: fuel tank cleaning

How big is the tank and can you get it out of the boat?<br /><br />And - no I would not run the boat with known crud in the tank. The varnish can break-up and will head, by the most direct route, to the carb. You best have a water seperator/fuel filter installed no matter what you do.

 

[ladano]

Re: fuel tank cleaning

It's about 14-16 gallons, and its out of the boat. I already plan to use a filter. The local boat shop told me to use chem-tool. Going to try that 1st I guess.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: fuel tank cleaning

Go to the hardware store and get a sandwich bag full of nuts and bolts (new ones). Toss them into the tank and aggitate them around with your cleaning soluion, they will break up the grit. When your done they can be dumped out or retieved with a magnet. It will speed your process up.

 

[ladano]

Re: fuel tank cleaning

The chem-tool stripped it clean in just a few hours.