Cleaning the fuel tank?

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craig

my tank aint flat on top

I took out my three batteries today and covered the boat for winter. it was cold. anyway while down in the hole i took a look at my tank. its plastic and the top is bowed inward. dont know if i could find a flat stop on there or does it suck up when the screws are inserted? thanks. craig
 
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Bruce

It's clean now anyway

I used the West Marine bilge cleaner and hot water at a stronger than recommended solution, let it sit in the empty tank for a couple of days and pumped it out. That took care of most of the sludge, and paper towels got the rest cleaned up. Another water rinse to get any cleanser residue out, a thorough dry job and my tank looks new. Hard to get into the position required to do this on a 34, but my total cost was only a couple of dollars to do the job. I installed an inspection port/mechanical fuel gauge a few years ago and used a rubber gasket material that is supposed to be OK with diesel. I have had no problems with it and the addition of the gauge along with the inspection port is the best modification I have made on my boat. My friendly local gas station took the old diesel fuel and "rinse" solution and disposed of it with his old oil, etc. One less thing to worry about now that the sludge is out. Bruce
 
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Bruce

It's clean now anyway

I used the West Marine bilge cleaner and hot water at a stronger than recommended solution, let it sit in the empty tank for a couple of days and pumped it out. That took care of most of the sludge, and paper towels got the rest cleaned up. Another water rinse to get any cleanser residue out, a thorough dry job and my tank looks new. Hard to get into the position required to do this on a 34, but my total cost was only a couple of dollars to do the job. I installed an inspection port/mechanical fuel gauge a few years ago and used a rubber gasket material that is supposed to be OK with diesel. I have had no problems with it and the addition of the gauge along with the inspection port is the best modification I have made on my boat. My friendly local gas station took the old diesel fuel and "rinse" solution and disposed of it with his old oil, etc. One less thing to worry about now that the sludge is out. Bruce
 
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Dean Strong

Using a Beckson plate

George, I think you can use stainless machine scews with plastic lined lock nuts instead of sheet metal screws. That is what I used, and there's no reason why you couldn't use them on an aluminium tank. Seems to me this would be a much strong fastening system, and you wouldn't have to depend on a calk to do anything more than form a good seal. I'm pretty sure it was polysulfide that weakened the insert. The o-ring has held up just fine, and yes it is exposed to diesel, as I keep my tank pretty full most of the time, so there is some pressure on the plate when the boat heels. I know this is true since it leaked when the insert was cracking. One of the tank companies also makes inspection ports for aluminum tanks---I know, because I found them on the Web when looking for a port for a plastic tank. Unfortunately I can't remember where a saw them, but they are out there....
 
D

Dean Strong

Using a Beckson plate

George, I think you can use stainless machine scews with plastic lined lock nuts instead of sheet metal screws. That is what I used, and there's no reason why you couldn't use them on an aluminium tank. Seems to me this would be a much strong fastening system, and you wouldn't have to depend on a calk to do anything more than form a good seal. I'm pretty sure it was polysulfide that weakened the insert. The o-ring has held up just fine, and yes it is exposed to diesel, as I keep my tank pretty full most of the time, so there is some pressure on the plate when the boat heels. I know this is true since it leaked when the insert was cracking. One of the tank companies also makes inspection ports for aluminum tanks---I know, because I found them on the Web when looking for a port for a plastic tank. Unfortunately I can't remember where a saw them, but they are out there....
 
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Ed Schenck

Aluminum cleanout port.

There are at least two ways to install a cleanout port on an aluminum tank. I cut two 6" holes(one on each side of the baffle) and made 8" aluminum plates for covers. I drilled and tapped the perimeter of the hole using predrilled holes in the cover as a template. Probably a hole every 1.5 or so inches around the circumference. My plan was to insert the machine screws from underneath and use washers and nuts on top, definitely the best way. But I found that there was enough thickness that I could secure the cover using the machine screws from the top. I made gaskets from sheets purchased at AutoZone with a liberal amount of Permatex. Nice to be able to get in there. :)
 
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Ed Schenck

Aluminum cleanout port.

There are at least two ways to install a cleanout port on an aluminum tank. I cut two 6" holes(one on each side of the baffle) and made 8" aluminum plates for covers. I drilled and tapped the perimeter of the hole using predrilled holes in the cover as a template. Probably a hole every 1.5 or so inches around the circumference. My plan was to insert the machine screws from underneath and use washers and nuts on top, definitely the best way. But I found that there was enough thickness that I could secure the cover using the machine screws from the top. I made gaskets from sheets purchased at AutoZone with a liberal amount of Permatex. Nice to be able to get in there. :)
 
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