Fuel Tank

[Hooper]

Question for you guys....

I have a 1983 23' C/C with the original tank in it, I believe. It is a 147 gallon tank and so far I haven't caught a whiff of fuel to indicate that it could be getting tired. Someone who is restoring his 23' inboard told me I am on borrowed time now.

Any thoughts? How long has a tank lasted before needing a replacement?

Thanks, Hooper [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Miles Offshore]

Hooper, sounds like you are getting good advise. Your tank at 19 years old may be pushing it. I would recommend at least doing a good inspection of it. Pits in the aluminum should be pretty obvious on the top and sides but its the ones on the bottom tat can be trouble. Depending on where a pinhole could be , you might not ever smell fuel, but you might notice a lot of water in your fuel.I dont think the tanks are foamed in, but if they are, water gets caught in between foam and the tank and accelerates the corrosion. I am getting ready to inspect my 2 55 gallon tanks shortly.Good Luck, let us know what you find if you do inspect it-Craig

[Hooper]

Thanks Craig, looking forward to doing some off season projects while it is still realtively warm. I'll add that to the list!

-Hooper

[AlexT]

One thing to consider; if you're running an inboard, you need to be MUCH more careful about fuel leaking. That is not to say that you should not consider a new tank, just that with an inboard a leak can be more immediately fatal than with an outboard.

[Howard Hill]

If the tank is in good shape when you remove it one alternative is to epoxy it. Mine had no corrosion so when I pulled it out so, at a boat yards recommendation, I epoxed the entire thing with west epoxy and put it back in.

Good Luck,

[TUGBOAT]

Hooper
I have a '83 20' I was out when it started leakimg !1 1/2 years ago.Glad I had an outboard.It was foamed in, not now.I will put very little in just for movement /vibration.