So I have a 17ft flats boat and since the people i bought it from were clueless I want to know how big the gas tank is. Finally ran her empty and towarss the end you could tall she was picking up some junk (i guess from the bottom of the tank?) so now that its empty is there anything I should add to it or be doing to get it clean(er) in there? I fish all year so I am not trying to put her up for winter or anything just wanted to take this rare opportunity to do whatever i can? Any advise or thoughts? Thanks
Does the tank feed or draw from the top or bottom?
I think the top, there are several access plates on the deck and I believe that the fuel hose connects to the top of the tank in the aft. I have been hesistent to tinker with opening it, or even trying to, because I live so far from anyone who can help if/when i screw it up, which is why i ran it out instead of siphoning it.
If it swims throw a fly at it!
It had better draw from the bottom. ;-p
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
Open the access plates on the deck. You might find a tag under one of them.
1720 KW 110 Johnson
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
I opened the access plate there were 2 in the middle of the deck. The forward one was over the tank filler/vent hose.The hatch in the aft was over the fuel pick-up tube and sending/gage unit. Pull the fuel pick-up sending unit out of the tank. Should be a bunch of screws/nuts holding it on. It will have a gasket under it. The most you are going to mess up, is the gasket. Easy to make a new one. Jack the front of the boat up in the air as high as you can get it! If it’s on a trailer jack the tounge up as high as it will go. You can put down a concrete block under the dolly wheel. The fuel that is left in the tank can now be siphoned through the sending unit hole. you will get 95% of whatever gunk and old fuel out that way. My tank was stamped with the fuel tank capacity under the aft access plate, on the top of the tank. I bought an In Line car fuel pump from an auto parts store and mounted it on a board. It runs on 12 volts so the boat battery will power it. I fastened the siphon hose to a coat hanger and I could maneuver the hose into the tank corners. Fasten it on with zip ties. Worked like a charm. You still have a lot a fuel in that tank because the fuel pick-up doesn’t go all the way to the bottom of the tank. Good luck:wink:
good info from Easy
might want to check an see if you have a filter in the fuel line.
that was my problem an decided to remove it an just use the water seperator an 2 inline fuel filters.
good luck
Man thanks easy! I am going to try and get in under the aft deck plate and see what I got. My fear is that I will open it up and then not be able to close it back, or that the seal won’t be solid. This is my first boat, and no one around here owns one (except pontoons) and so i’m on my own. So 2 ?'s
- Lets say I open it up, when I close it is it as simple as that, is pressure caused with refilling the tank with new fuel?
- As far as the gasket how would you make a new one?
Sorry, never grew up with mechanically inclined folks and am trying to learn on the fly! Thanks to everyone for the help
If it swims throw a fly at it!
No worries on pressurizing the tank. it is vented in either 1 or 2 places. As for the gasket, be as careful as possible and if it gets buggered up take it to Advance Auto and they will help you with cutting a new one. It is pretty straight forward to do at home if you have the correct tools. If not AA can help. Get used to doing minor stuff. If you own a boat there is always something to do. Good luck!
SeaPro SV24 / 225 Yamaha
Carolina Skiff 16J / 25 hp Honda
Duracraft 15ft ’ 40 HP Mercury
I am boat poor
It couldn’t to replace the gasket whether you tear it up or not. Especially it the boat has any age to it. That would help prevent you having to go back into it later…
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
If you really feel froggy you can put a block under one of the tires so that all the fuel ends up in one corner. I have done it before, feels weird and was very cautious but chocked one wheel and put a brick under the other. Then jacked up the tounge, and continue with Easy’s process.
Without pictures I don’t know what you have so will try to be generic! When you undo the sending unit/fuel pick-up you will most likely have a gasket under the plate, between the plate and tank. Be very careful when you pull the sending unit off. I would think it will be adhered to the plate or sending unit or both. There may have been gasket sealer on it. You will probably have to pry it up being very careful to not drop any old gasket material into the tank. A good stiff putty knife will come in handy! Slide the putty knife between the plate and tank and work all the way around until you can completely separate the 2. Lift the plate straight up out of the tank. You will have some wires attached to the sending unit. Don’t be rough with the sending unit as there is a float attached to it and we don’t want to mess it up. You may have to take the wires loose or cut them to get the unit out if there isn’t enough slack in them. No problem if you do, as you can reattach or splice them. If you do take them loose be sure to tie them or attach them out of the way and don’t loose them back under the deck where you can’t find them again. If you have to take them loose, make sure the power of turned off or tape them and they don’t touch! Pump your tank at this point! Before you put the sending unit back in make sure you clean the area where the unit and gasket fit together, as well as the tank top. As for making a new gasket! Go to any auto parts store and buy a sheet of gasket material and trace the outline of the hole in the tank or your sending unit. Cut the material with a pair of scissors or a good sharp knife. When you buy the gasket material also get some gasket sealer http://www.permatex.com/products/product-categories/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-permashield-fuel-resistant-gasket-dressing-flange-sealant-detail. Tell the guy at the store what you are doing and what you want. Tell them it’s for a fuel system!! Sometimes they can help? If it was me, I would think about replacing the sending unit/fuel pickup wh