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Author Topic:   Fuel tank replacement determination

cinco de whaler posted 05-06-2010 01:12 PM ET (US)
If an internal fuel tank on a 29 year old Outrage is not leaking but has old gas in it and can be drained and flushed, what other factors do you look at in determing if it needs to be replaced? I've read many postings on here about replacing the tanks that were very informative but didn't know if those replacements had been done soley because of leaks or some other corrision indicators? Also, any success stories of 29 year old tanks still in existence? Thanks.
Buckda posted 05-06-2010 02:07 PM ET (US)
The single best test to find leaks is to have your marina pressure test the tank. They will seal off the hoses and add slight overpressure to the tank. If it loses that pressure too quickly, it will fail the test, indicating a leak somewhere.
That said, if you have the deck of your boat off the boat already, and everything is de-rigged, it is a good time to replace the tank.
Similar to the automotive adage of changing the water pump when you change the timing belt. - once you're that deep into your boat, it's worth the added expense to change the tank out now and be good for the next 25 years.
Dave
cinco de whaler posted 05-06-2010 06:15 PM ET (US)
Thanks Dave for the reply. We haven't pulled the deck yet but I have asked the shop to pressure check the tank for me. Will the deck have to be pulled to run the check?
Buckda posted 05-07-2010 08:46 AM ET (US)
They should not have to remove the deck to pressure test the tank.
...
although, if you're not planning to take off the deck, then ignorance may be bliss......
..I'd wait until you had a problem indicating tank failure.

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Author	Topic: Fuel tank replacement determination
cinco de whaler	posted 05-06-2010 01:12 PM ET (US) If an internal fuel tank on a 29 year old Outrage is not leaking but has old gas in it and can be drained and flushed, what other factors do you look at in determing if it needs to be replaced? I've read many postings on here about replacing the tanks that were very informative but didn't know if those replacements had been done soley because of leaks or some other corrision indicators? Also, any success stories of 29 year old tanks still in existence? Thanks.
Buckda	posted 05-06-2010 02:07 PM ET (US) The single best test to find leaks is to have your marina pressure test the tank. They will seal off the hoses and add slight overpressure to the tank. If it loses that pressure too quickly, it will fail the test, indicating a leak somewhere. That said, if you have the deck of your boat off the boat already, and everything is de-rigged, it is a good time to replace the tank. Similar to the automotive adage of changing the water pump when you change the timing belt. - once you're that deep into your boat, it's worth the added expense to change the tank out now and be good for the next 25 years. Dave
cinco de whaler	posted 05-06-2010 06:15 PM ET (US) Thanks Dave for the reply. We haven't pulled the deck yet but I have asked the shop to pressure check the tank for me. Will the deck have to be pulled to run the check?
Buckda	posted 05-07-2010 08:46 AM ET (US) They should not have to remove the deck to pressure test the tank. ... although, if you're not planning to take off the deck, then ignorance may be bliss...... ..I'd wait until you had a problem indicating tank failure.