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My recently aquired 18 Outrage has a full tank of 12 year old gas. I got a quote of $420 to have the gas pumped out and disposed of and the tank cleaned. They basicly fill is with fresh fuel and a cleaner to break down the crap, then pump it through a fiter system to clean the fuel and then retreat the new fuel.

I'd like to compare this to the cost of replacing the tank. I have a call into Florida Marine Tanks and waiting for a reply. In the mean time does anyone know of or have a drawing of the original tank so I can get it quoted?

thanks,

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Florida Marine Tanks may have made the tank originally. If you do a search of previous threads on this subject(which there are many) I think the cost of the new tank would be approx. $800 plus shipping.

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You can open the top of the tank at the fuel gauge and siphon the old fuel by either one of the pump up 2 gallon cans sold for extracting oil from a crankcase or by actual gravity siphon with the receptacle for the fuel at a poinr lower than the bottom of the tank. This is easy to do by running clear tube into the tank and thru the rear scupper to the can on the ground. Since you don't need to worry about what goes in the tank you can fill the tube with water and keep the lower end closed wit your finger or clamp while you insert other end into tank. What I would be concerned with is the fuel lines and would suggest using an old squeeze bulb to completely evacuate the lines from the tank to the motor or Racor, I would probably even waste a quart of new gas in this endevor. Always pump suspect fuel into a clear[glass container as it is easy to see separation or water that way.

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I doubt a new tank is necessary.

You can do it for less money.

You can use your existing fuel line to drain a tank.

Remove the fuel line from the motor and route it through the transom drain tube. Use the primer bulb to start the siphon. A nice easy flow.

Check your local area for disposal companies that take gas. Borrow some cans from your neighbors.

Side note: Please update your location in your profile. I would have done a web search for you but don't know where you are.

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I had a custom tank made in forked river n.j. cost 800.00 for my 1976 outrage well worth the money altough it did not leak it was quite deteriorated in fla try marine liquidators in fort pierce i was there last week and they have both poly and aluminum tanks be careful when measuring the taper on the bottom to the flat portion on the bottom is not equal god hunting

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I just did the same thing with my gas tank but had 140 gallons of 12 year old gas to get rid of. I posted free old gas on Craigslist and had a lot of people interested. Had a guy out the next day to get with 3 barrels. Not sure how much gas you have in the 18 but if you do like I did you have use a electric pump.

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ABSOLUTELY, DO NOT USE AN ELECTIC PUMP TO REMOVE THE OLD FUEL!! Unless the pump is specifically designed to pump fuel, your Whaler will look like that hot-air balloon that just went down in Egypt.

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scoslv, thank you for stating the obvious. Electric fuel pumps are actually the preferred way to transfer a barrel of fuel and in most instances the only way.

If the gas is 12 years old then so are the fuel lines, at least. I would replace them. I got a quote from FMT that is about $10 a gallon plus shipping. If the tank is from FMT then there should be a model number on the top they can use to pull up the dimensions.

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I didn't think a new tank was necessary also. I thought the price would convince him that the tank replacement was not the less painless way out.

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Not sure if it’s the same gas tank, but mine is out of my 1982 22’ Revenge. If you can determine if it’s the same one, I will be more than glad to make you a drawing.

BTW- I used a squeeze bulb to drain my tank. I ran the old gas through a fuel filter and then through a filter/ water separator. Over a length of time, I mixed it with a full tank of car gas and used it.

Don.

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You won't be able to get all the fuel out by the fuel pick-up (fuel line) because the pick-up does not go all the way to the bottom of the tank. You will have to unscrew the inspection plate which has 6 screws I believe. Then you can put a hose right to the bottom of the tank to siphon it all out. You will be able to see any crud on the bottom of the tank also.

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The other advantage of opening the top of the tank is you can use a small piece of wood with a rag attached to actually get every last drop of gas and water out. Remember the water and other bad stuff sinks to the bottom.

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Thanks for everyones imput. I talked to Florida marine tanks and they're in the $750 range plus shipping, also talked to Sunshine Welding in Cape Canaveral and they're at $8 per gallon. Our local land fill will take the old gas. Unfortunatly they won't let me bring the boat and pump it out there so I'ts several trips with jerry cans. I think I'll go that route first and see what condition everything visible is in. I'll be replacing all hoses, clamps and bonding wires. I'm also rebuilding carburetors. I got it to run but there are leaks everywhere.

I'm in central Florida by the way.

thanks again.

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You may have to replace the gasket under the inspection plate if you are not careful. Ask me how I know. The screws have little (hard to see cups) that must aid in leak control around the screws. They are clear or yellowish if I remember. Again, ask me how I know!

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I saw them last night. I pulled the plate just to see what and how much was in there. Syphoned out a pint and it actually looks land smells like gas, not varnish. It's completely full so moisture and air have less of a chance.

Mixing it with fresh gas and an additive might work.

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If the gas is still good, it is still good. Mixing new with bad will not help at all. Also addatives are designed to keep it from becoming bad, I don't think any of them will "repair" bad gas. Since it it so old it at least was pre-ethanol. I have heard stories of farm tractors that ran after 20+ years of sitting without changing the fuel but they were much simpler motors. I ran my bad gas in a old stake body truck with no issues after I seperated the obvious water. Remember the water will be at the bottom of the tank.