Fuel Tank Access Ports

[UNIQUE_NAME]

i have to pump out my fuel tanks (gas). i'm sure i'm not the first so what is the best way to attack this? i'm thinking of trying to take out either the threaded fuel guage or better yet the access port it is screwed into. any hekp is appreciated.

 

[Beckytek]

That's the way I would do it. When you remove the fuel gauge there's a large opening to insert the suction hose and pump away.

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

has anyone tried either of these methods? i don't want to dig myself deeper into this by snapping the fuel gauge nut or any of the screws holding the access port on the tank.

 

[wshelton]

Take off the vent fitting on the top of the tank. You then can stick a piece of PVC through the opening with your hose attached.. You do not have to worry about breaking the gauge.

 

[garyd]

Take it out where you put it in. Worked for me fast easy no fus no mus.

have fun boating garyd

 

[Liquid Asset]

I once pumped out a fuel tank with a Walbro pump by hooking it up to the fuel pickup for an engine and then sucking all of the fuel out. Worked great and got all the fuel out of the tank. It really just depends on if you need every last drop or most of the fuel.

 

[saltshaker]

I have removed the gauges with no problem. If you can raise the bow either in a lift or have it blocked slightly higher, then you have a better chance of getting everything out.

Jack Sardina

 

[Captned]

Be careful...

Gasoline issues, no sparks, proper pump etc... I'm sure you know, just reminding...

Cheers,


Captned

 

[Hows Hatt]

I just pulled the tank of my project 28' SF as part of the re-do, and pumped 120+/- of diesel into my buddy's furnace tank. I removed the plate into which the fuel pick-ups and the sight gauge were fastened. Though our tanks are likely configured differently, mine had a deep center sump and draining through the fill or fuel return plate would not have been effective as the tank was only 1/2 the depth at that location. Good luck and you probably should not smoke when doing it!

A couple of questions regarding my fuel tank:
1. I thought I saw a thread regarding cleaning tanks and tank baffles recently and I'll be darned if I can find it back. Did I dream it?
2. The glass sight gauge is all clouded over and useless as is. Are new glass and needle parts available, or, better yet, can I convert the system to a helm-mounted gauge with a sending unit, etc.? Thanks and Happy Hatt-ing! Howard in Michigan

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

decided against opening the access port or gauge. the tanks are under the beds in the aft cabin and would have required cutting away some of the mattress platform. that coupled with the thought of snapping a screw or nut scared me away for now. i used my spare elctric fuel pump (stewart warner marine) connected to the fuel line just before the racor and that did the job.
i did learn something during the process though, and it took me a while to learn it.
when i first hooked up the pump it wouldn't pump any fuel. hooked it up to the other tank. still no fuel. bad pump? clogged line(s)? test the pump on a glass of water. pumps fine. both lines clogged? can't be. no shutoff valves at the tank, are their backflow devices in line? all the things runnning thru my mind. start tracing the fuel lines to check for addition valves (which i know i didn't touch). first thing i find is an electrical solenoid. turn the ignition key on and the solenoid clicks. the gas is flowing, success at last.
haven't check yet but i wonder if it is part of the fire suppression system.

 

[ADaily3224]

Fuel Tank-- Clicking is probably a fuel pump for your Gas engines. It may have been converted some time ago. Much safer than the old mechanical pumps.


The glass gauge: The top comes off, there are a couple small screws. A new one is available for a very low price from Sam's. The Gauge is simple, it's magnetic. The gauge that you read is controlled by a small magnet that rotates as the float travels up and down on a threaded rod. The magnet moves the dial part of the gauge. It's pretty much fool proof if maintained.
You may want to remove it to check the condition of the float. If the float is shot an attempt will be made to sell you a new gauge. You can usually make a new float yourself, just make sure you use a material that will not dissolve in gasoline.
Tony D