89 23cc fuel tank

[osprey]

I'm back!!
Pulled off the t-top and console today to take a look at the tank. That thing is a monster. The top is not pitted much, but a shut off valve at the fuel outlet is barely recognizable due to corrosion. Foward bulkhead seems soft, all foam seems dry. To pull or not to pull,,,, that is the question? What kind of longevity should I expect from an eighteen year old tank. Could I easily get another ten??? Hours of chopping foam will not be fun. Thanks in advance for any input.

[RS]

Mine lasted 27 years and the foam was soaking wet. I'm not sure what you mean about a soft bulkhead - did you mean hatch cover? If so, that can be recored pretty easily.

I would take care of the corroded shut off valve and replace with the appropriate fitting. I'd leave the tank alone until I smelled some gas.

[strick]

Thats a tough one. You already have removed the cc and t-top and have the tank exposed so you are 1/3 of the way done. I don't like foam around tanks you cant see what in the heck is going on. Ask yourself this question. Are you the type of person that can sleep well at night wondering if you should have pulled it? If so then Leave it. If not then pull it. I toss and turn a lot so I'd have to pull if it were me. No doubt that after 18 years there is at least some maintence that needs to be done such as fixing that corroded fitting and possibly coating the tank with a protective agent. If there is going to be any fuel or water in the foam it will be toward the bottom of the foam.

strick

[Old'sCool]

IMHO, I would change it at this point if the $$ was there. Or pull it, test it, seal it, etc. re-use if possible.

[osprey]

I think I'm going to pull it and if it comes out undamaged, looking pretty good, I'll seal it and drop it back in. I'm thinking that my high pressure washer could cut right through the foam on the sides of the tank, saving me a lot of work. Anyone ever try this?

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Fish On

I haven’t heard of a pressure washer approach before but it is worth a shot. You can use one of those garden tree branch saws with the wide teeth that works pretty good.

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins

[strick]

I'm thinking that my high pressure washer could cut right through the foam on the sides of the tank, saving me a lot of work. Anyone ever try this?

Thats a good idea. You may be on to something here. If you have the type of tip that shoots a strait blast of water rather then a fan and your machine can do at lease 2500psi it may work. Let us know. I still have my power washer (3500psi)from when I was in the roof and deck refinishing business years ago and the strait tip on that machine would dig holes in concrete if you got too close.

strick

[EVERGREEN]

Fish on-

My tank went in my 85-23cc last year, it was a bitch to get out! The foam holds the tank like no--tomorrow and if you have a 140-Gal. tank it's bigger than the hatch. I had to cut mine and fold it in half to get it out of the bilge. If yours is like mine I think you will find aluminum-rot where the water was trapped against the tank. “See pictures” Good luck! P.S. I replaced mine with a Moeller plastic tank.

Egreen








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[nestorpr]

I understand that's the main problem with foaming in fuel tanks, the aluminum actually corrodes. I read that for those tanks most experts and the CG agree that they need to be open to the air to properly form the aluminum oxide coating that protects the aluminum surface from further oxidation and avoid those problems. Professional Boatbuilder magazine also recommends that all aluminum tanks be strapped into place and not be surrounded by foam.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

This is the way I put my tank in.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm


FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins