#1
IP: 72.130.53.199
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Fuel tank cleaning
I would like to give my fuel tank a cleaning. It’s been at least several years, if ever. The tank is white plastic and ratchet strapped down to a 2x4 cradle. I could try to wrestle it out, but it would be much easier if it can be done in place. What’s the best way to go about this?
I could use the mechanical fuel pump to drain the tank, but I think I’m more likely to use an outboard style squeeze bulb. A few cycles of fill and drain with some type of cleaner? How often do we think this should be done? Thanks! -Joe |
#2
IP: 8.9.84.110
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cleaned tank in place
I cleaned my Monel tank in place 8 years ago. I pumped all the old gas out with a mechanical siphon pump through the fill tube, then filled with a gallon of acetone, sloshed it around by rocking the boat, then pumped that out, getting the last bits out with a rag (my fill tube goes straight down to the lowest point of the tank). I don't know if a plastic tank should be cleaned with a different solvent.
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#3
IP: 209.6.133.136
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Here is what I did to sample, filter, and then clean tank in place.
Inspired by others here I filtered and scrape tested my monel tank this fall to see condition of fuel and tank.
Filter and scraping rig https://photos.app.goo.gl/kzhjGWWnZNce86HQ8 I used the pvc pipe to scrape the bottom of the tank to see if sediments appeared. They did not. If they had, I would have agitated tank in addition to adding cleaning detergent and soaking. Here is what I added to tank to soak for 2 days before filtering. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jESiFaGLHnqC6bGdA If I needed to agitate. I planned to used a small palm finish sander to externally agitate the tank all around from below deck. Pearson 30 tank access. I would have done 2 one hour session over 2 days and checked again after filtering. After soaking, here is what the filtering process looked like. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6syyeCvL5vBBQUhNA There is a fine filter before the intake on the pump I bought. There is a gross filter that I added upstream. Don't recall the micron rating for either. I found very little passing through. I also tested electronic fuel pump function while I was at it. Jumped the oil pressure safety switch. https://photos.app.goo.gl/wNjZmtjAGQdVWpje7 I was fortunate. All evidence upstream fuel system in good shape and found that PO had replaced fuel lines recently. Before buying this boat I had little to no experience with engines. Initiative, study time, this forum and Moyer Marine have taken me a long way safely effectively and quickly. Here is the entire album of my upstream fuel system adventure. I have not gotten around to captioning key pictures yet. https://photos.app.goo.gl/pDpgEJST4Kj2GF9B8 Happy holidays.
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Tim Smith Oasis Pearson 30 1974, Number 572 Boston, MA USA Last edited by TimBSmith; 12-21-2020 at 12:29 PM. |
#4
IP: 32.211.28.40
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I would NOT put any solvents into a plastic tank. Soap & water should be OK. If brave you could try the Zep Purple stuff, but thats alkaline and eats aluminum - not sure what it would do to poly.
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