Built in fuel tank issue
Hi guys,
I have recently purchased a 2nd hand Westerberg that the previous owners had owned for the last 2-3 years. The previous owners had been using the portable red 20l fuel tanks during this time. The boat has an built-in fuel tank that i'm looking to get working again but hoping to not have to actually get under the deck and take it out. I had asked them why they had not been using it, but they had just found that the red tanks where easier and did not specify that there was a problem with it. The built-in tank is half-full of fuel still so there is no issue with it leaking, however, i am worried that there could be water, dirt, crap etc. in it from sitting for so long.
Ideally, I want to try and drain the fuel to start using again and I am wondering where to start and what the best plan of attack would be?
Cheers for any advice
Bryce Day
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 01/06/15
Do it properly! Pull it out
Do it properly! Pull it out and have a look!
Rob H
Posts: 5808
Date Joined: 18/01/12
make sure you have a good
make sure you have a good fuel filter system fitted with a clear bowl.
Cut fuel line at outboard and let it syphon thru the filter and you should see if there is an issue.
But as Bryce says best way is to remove it, but Id ring Westerberg and ask if the tank itself has an inspection plate before pulling up the deck.
Alternatively ring the old owners and ask "look Ive bought the boat now, so is there anything I should know about the fuel tank before I start using it to save me being blown up or something?"
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Krusty
Posts: 714
Date Joined: 27/11/15
yep ...no questions do what
yep ...no questions do what Bryce said
Who knows what you will find and the answer of using the portable tanks because it's easier...Hmmm
How hard is it to take a fuel cap off and stick a fuel bowser nozzle in ....doesn't get any easier than that !!
Also the tank might not leak half full but could when full so check the tank, fittings, lines and everything that way when you head out you can be confident you won't suffer from a breakdown due to fuel delivery issues.
Every boat I have owned (second hand...which has been all of them) I have lifeted the floor and checked things out just for my own piece of mind.
My fishing spots are so secret........... even the fish don't know where they are !!
The Saint
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 30/01/13
Bryce is spot on. You have to
Bryce is spot on. You have to pull it out and inspect it, then you can thoroughly clean it while it's out.
I would also be replacing all the hoses/hose clamps under the deck.
saltyseamen
Posts: 48
Date Joined: 20/09/12
Righto cheers lads. Looks
Righto cheers lads. Looks like ill be ripping it out next weekend.
I am friends with the previous owner and they simply used the red fuel tanks because it was a hassle getting the trailer through the local servo.
Have bought new hoses and replaced the fuel filter so hopefully I find nothing wrong, give it a clean out and can re-fit it without too many issues.
Fingers crossed and thanks for the advice
sea-kem
Posts: 15031
Date Joined: 30/11/09
I'd pull it out as metioned
I'd pull it out as metioned above and while cleaning get a dye pen insection done on the welds. You'd be spewing if you put it back in to find it had a hairline crack. Even a low pressure test with soapy water.
Love the West!
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
If you want toempty/ flush it
Easiest way I have found is to block one breather and GENTLY pressure through other breather with compressed air. Have line to motor running into container. You only need a couple of PSI to get fuel flowing. You will completely drain the tank plus any crap in the bottom. I did this twice a year on my last boat with built in tank to keep track of contents as i only had a fuel totaliser, no gauge. Make sure you have the filter in the system still, and after you have drained would be a good time to change it, and see what is captured. If they have not been using the fuel in the tank it could be thoroughly off by now, so I would drain it using the method described or whatever works, and discard.
You don't know what their particular circumstances were, some people do just find it easier to fill tote tanks. May be nothing sinister. ( and maybe were stealing fuel from work?
)
out wide
Posts: 1535
Date Joined: 30/12/08
Virtually no chance of your
Virtually no chance of your tank being in good order. It will have plenty of shit in it. Replace all the fuel lines associated with the said tank. Start afresh.