Cleaning fuel tank
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31563
Printed Date: November-17-2024 at 11:34pm
Topic: Cleaning fuel tank
Posted By: TRIP
Subject: Cleaning fuel tank
Date Posted: September-16-2013 at 7:00pm
|
Any tips and tricks for pulling out and cleaning the fuel tank ('85 2001)? Cleaning I guess is keeping it upside down (after draining) until all the dirt is out of there and then rinse a couple times with gasoline? Thanks! ------------- http://www.flyzone-cr.com" rel="nofollow - FlyZone Costa Rica Wakeboarding http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=8406&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1997 Super Sport |
Replies:
Posted By: Donald80SN
Date Posted: September-16-2013 at 7:42pm
|
Some on this site have taken their tank to a Radiator Shop to have it dipped in their tank. The tank has a caustic cleaner. I guess it all depends on how bad the tank is as to weather or not you need to go that far. Some have had the shop apply an internal coating to the tank to stop rust. I hope this helps, Donald |
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: September-16-2013 at 8:23pm
|
I believe someone in here has an Oliver brand fuel tank cleaning machine, and I think there's even a helpful video. |
Posted By: TRIP
Date Posted: September-16-2013 at 8:56pm
|
Thanks guys! Fuel tank cleaning machine, no idea what to expect there. I'm not sure if it's rust or something else. After only a couple hours of use I now find a little layer of black/brown sludge at the bottom of the fuel/water separator. And I just put a new filter in front of it (between tank and separator) a couple weeks ago... ------------- http://www.flyzone-cr.com" rel="nofollow - FlyZone Costa Rica Wakeboarding http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=8406&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1997 Super Sport |
Posted By: backfoot100
Date Posted: September-16-2013 at 9:01pm
|
I assume it's a metal tank. How bad is it? Just cleaning out gunk or rust or both? Is the whole inside nasty or just the bottom where everything collects? When my tank sat idle for three years during my rides decommissioning, there was about a half inch of fuel left in it that I couldn't siphon out. When I was ready to get it running, there was some nasty, thick syrup consistency gunk in the bottom of the tank. No rust anywhere thankfully. I called several radiator shops who wouldn't touch it anymore with the EPA regs in place now. I also called several speed shops and did some internet searches. There were some inconsistencies in what type cleaner to use but virtually everybody agreed to pour a gallon or two of some type of cleaner (mineral spirits, acetone, kerosene, etc.) in the tank and throw a couple of handfulls of nuts and bolts in with it. Several guys said to pour a couple of boxes of BB's (for a BB gun)in it. Shake it around, let it sit and shake it around some more. The nuts and bolts or BB's rolling around with the cleaner in the tank will loosen up any rust that might be in there. I used a gallon of mineral spirits after the tank was removed and sitting on a level surface. I lifted one end a couple of feet and set it down, then lifted up the other end and set it down. Repeat a dozen times and let it sit. I did the same thing twice a day for a week and then emptied it out. It was absolutely crystal clear after I was done. I didn't use the nuts and bolts as I didn't have any rust but was assured by several different sources that it works. It was a little laborious on my part and certainly time consuming but everything turned out perfect and all it cost me was a few dollars for a gallon of mineral spirits. ------------- When people run down to the lake to see what's making that noise, you've succeeded. Eddie |
Posted By: fanofccfan
Date Posted: September-16-2013 at 10:07pm
|
http://http://youtu.be/xPYQnTINA0c" rel="nofollow - Here is Oliver machine I put broken glass from a truck window inside and tumbled and cleaned....tumbled and cleaned.....tumbled and cleaned. Take it to a gas tank restorer as this process worked but was a huge time consumer. It also took two gas tank liner kits. Good luck |
Posted By: fanofccfan
Date Posted: September-16-2013 at 10:08pm
| What do I have to change in my links to make them work? |
Posted By: TRIP
Date Posted: September-16-2013 at 10:37pm
|
Thanks people! Haha I like that tractor-tumbler. I don't think it has rust, just the same stuff that you describe backfoot100; the "nasty, thick syrup consistency gunk". And cause it's that thick stuff I think it's only at the bottom. Guess I'll also try with some cleaner (let's see what I can find here), I hope to do the job in one day though instead of a whole week! Taking the tank out and putting it back in: all straightforward or can I expect any difficulties? ------------- http://www.flyzone-cr.com" rel="nofollow - FlyZone Costa Rica Wakeboarding http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=8406&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1997 Super Sport |
Posted By: dwcar
Date Posted: September-17-2013 at 5:41am
|
It is pretty easy. You will need to get the gas fill hose off of the metal gas inlet. your rubber hose may be welded to the inlet, depending on how old it is. Disconnect the wiring for your gas gauge on top of the tank. There are four bolts (2 on each end) that hold the tank in place. You should try and get as much of the gas out as possible before you start to make the tank lighter. ------------- 83Ski |
Posted By: TRIP
Date Posted: September-17-2013 at 5:21pm
|
Thanks! Let's hope the hose is not welded to the inlet. Though I bet it is... ------------- http://www.flyzone-cr.com" rel="nofollow - FlyZone Costa Rica Wakeboarding http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=8406&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1997 Super Sport |
Posted By: TRIP
Date Posted: September-24-2013 at 1:34pm
|
Managed, but holy cr@p getting that hose off... took me a good hour. Hadn't been off there since '85 I'm sure. Loads of dirt came out, hope to get a pic today when I fill it up again and see how it runs. Couldn't find the same hose but found something at a car mechanics that at least fitted (this is what was left over after I used the straight part):  Just a water hose I think. Should I expect trouble with this? Planning to get the right hose whenever I place my next order at skidim. This piece of metal (aluminum?) came out of the tank. Any idea what it is?  Thanks for your advice everybody! ------------- http://www.flyzone-cr.com" rel="nofollow - FlyZone Costa Rica Wakeboarding http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=8406&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1997 Super Sport |
Posted By: TRIP
Date Posted: September-24-2013 at 11:11pm
|
Here's the result (hope the video embeds): Edit: http://youtu.be/E5-YRX8FNCE" rel="nofollow - OK, so it doesn't. Here's the link Didn't run the boat very long but it gave no problems and also above 3000 rpm didn't act up, like it did before. ------------- http://www.flyzone-cr.com" rel="nofollow - FlyZone Costa Rica Wakeboarding http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=8406&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1997 Super Sport |