I’m helping a friend get his skiff ready to sell. It’s been sitting in his back yard for some time without being run. So, I want to drain the fuel tank before running it (we have run the motor using an external tank and we had the motor serviced earlier this week). I bought a Fill-Rite 12-v pump but after getting it home the list of cautions includes not using it for gasoline (diesel or kerosene only). Other than a liability issue for the manufacturer, any reasons not to use it? I also bought a battery operated transfer pump from Harbor Freight, but the tube will not fit down into the boat’s fuel tank. Tried a Everbuilt drill operated transfer pump, and it worked ok for about 2 gallons and then stopped working.
Any suggestions for draining this tank (with almost 20 gallons of fuel)?
What about a generic 12V inline fuel pump from the auto parts store. Just hook it up to the tank pick up tube, run the hose into the cockpit and start filling up gas cans.
@DBStoots the pick up tube is the main outlet tube, the fuel outlet hose. I suggest that as it goes to the lowest part of the tank, getting most of the old fuel out.
It’s not draining the tank that’s the issue, it’s the gunk and residue that remain. I would suggest you go on line and look for a fuel cleaning service. I used this when I bought the Holy Ghost. The tank had about 20 gallons of pure varnish in the tank having sat for several years. I paid the guy (don’t remember a few hundred $). He drained the tank, then used a pressure system to clean out the tank. For weeks, I was draining crud out of the see through RACOR and changed it twice in two or three months.
If you are doing this to just get the tank empty to fill with fresh fuel to sell it…that’s different, but, then you should disclose that the tank has been recently been drained. When they did the service, they also did a pressure check on the tank, and at the time, it had not breach in the tank.
Get an inline 12V fuel pump, hose clamps, and some fuel hose from an auto parts store.
Disconnect the fuel line at the engine, and insert the fuel pump suction and clamp..
Put a piece of fuel hose on the discharge side and fill jerry jugs until the pump runs dry.
Change the fuel/water separator.
Put fresh fuel in the tank.
All of this about pumps - unnecessary…. Simply disconnect your fuel line at the squeeze bulb on the engine side… hook up a short section of fuel line (enough to reach down through the boat’s drain plug and into the first of a series of gas cans…). Get the fuel started with the squeeze bulb - and it will drain that tank automatically - no pump needed. Once you get that flow started - it’s all down hill… When you’re done you’ll be wanting to change out that fuel filter as well to be able to start fresh…
Hope this helps and by the way I’d want to do this outdoors, if in a garage, doors open and fans working. Fuel vapors - not funny at all in any enclosed area…
Once your tank is drained then contact a tank cleaning outfit to do the steam cleaning, pressure check, etc.
I don’t recommend using non explosion proof rated fans (the type fire departments use) in a garage open or closed door. Gasoline is explosive at 1% part in air. Even operating a light switch can set it off.
And those are the first thing I remove. Just another thing that is overcomplicating a simple system and causing unnecessary issues. A solution looking for a problem!
OK, different story…in your post you mentioned the fuel had been in the tank for some time…mine sat for years in a garage before it was brought back to life.
If this is the case, drain if you can without 12v pumps for safety and then just install a see through RACOR.
Sounds like you are getting the skiff in good shape for the next owner…
Follow up…
I did a quick google search and there are several here in FLL - Mobile Marine Fuel Tank Cleaning. I got my name from (I can’t remember which Marine Mechanic), but, I would suspect BoB Hewes Boats or Marine Max might have a name…or, call any local Marine Fiberglass guys…they replace tanks and need them drained. Or, call Ralph the Welder @ Aim…he might have a local recommenation0, if you decide to go that route.
One last CAVAET…to have it drained and cleaned, you need to have access to the top of the tank where the sending unit is located…or at least my guy did this…we had to take off the sending unit and lowered his tubes into the tank from there…the problem is on some the older skiff, the seal can be sometimes worn and will leak when you re-apply it or the screws holding in the tank will strip on you…just laying out the good (clean tank), the bad (screws strip) and the ugly ($$$ and / or bad gasket )
