fuel tank question

[fitzi6_7]

I recently bought a 78 lowe line fishing boat with a 55 Johnson. So far no troubles aside from my own nube mistakes. I was looking under the rear deck and noticed that in addition to the red portable tank that the previous owner used was what appeared to be the original plastic tank next to it. The "new" tank only holds six gallons and the previous owner said they never used the old one although they didn't know if anything was wrong with it. I would like to use the old one but am not sure what issues I may find trying to use it. I can't see any cracks or anything wrong with it. What are your thoughts as to next steps or what to check before trying to go down this path? I would gain extra space by using the old one in lieu of the small portable one that is used.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: fuel tank question

If it isn't gunked up I'm sure it will work just fine. Check (and probably replace) the fill, vent, and withdrawal lines on it.

 

[mayatan]

Re: fuel tank question

Check the inside with a flashlight or better yet one of those inspection cameras!. You may want to rinse a cup or so of gas through it and see if any gunk comes out. Being plastic it should be good to go. You can never have too much fuel on board!

 

[fitzi6_7]

Re: fuel tank question

Check the inside with a flashlight or better yet one of those inspection cameras!. You may want to rinse a cup or so of gas through it and see if any gunk comes out. Being plastic it should be good to go. You can never have too much fuel on board!

Makes sense. I am not sure though if I can get the tank out from under the deck as it is though. I will try to post some pics. The brass fitting looks like it is in pretty decent shape but not sure about the hoses within the tank, nor how to replace them so any suggestions would be Wunderbar!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: fuel tank question

1st try to pump out any existing fuel, check it for debris and contamination. If there is any fuel in there it's probably bad, you'll want to discard it correctly. Put in a little fuel, check to see if any leaks out, then if no leaks - pump it out and check it for debris and contamination. If it does not leak you can filter and refill your fuel repeatedly until you are satisfied that the tank is crud free.
At that point you have a tank you can trust.

 

[fitzi6_7]

Re: fuel tank question

1st try to pump out any existing fuel, check it for debris and contamination. If there is any fuel in there it's probably bad, you'll want to discard it correctly. Put in a little fuel, check to see if any leaks out, then if no leaks - pump it out and check it for debris and contamination. If it does not leak you can filter and refill your fuel repeatedly until you are satisfied that the tank is crud free.
At that point you have a tank you can trust.

Thanks you guys. I will check it out when I get home.

 

[fitzi6_7]

Re: fuel tank question

I looked at the withdrawal and fill hoses and they look fine as does the vent hose. There looks to be old gas in the tank, have to pick up a pump to get it out but that tells me it's holding. Is there any reason I could not put an inline filter to prevent any gunk out?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: fuel tank question

I think a filter would be a good idea.

I don't think you need a pump. You can just take the connector off the end of your fuel line and use the squeeze bulb to get it out. (at least that worked fine for me recently when I overfilled mine)