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I wanted to drain the fuel tank, 1998 Outrage 17.
Took the sender unit 5 screws off, a sixth screw, black ground wire broke off.
Got the sender unit off, smelled gas as soon as the sender unit popped out. I think this was a good sign that the gasket and 5 screw sealants were intact.
Could this be the original sender? The paint or coating on the tank matches the sender top and screws.

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx...C04925.jpg

After a bit of cleaning:
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx...C04935.jpg

Now my dilemma, looks like some thing is not right on the sender unit. Did some thing break off?

I also drained the fuel separator.
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx...C04949.jpg

The hand siphon pump I got from Harbor Freight did not do the job, I could not get anything flowing. So, I am now thinking of using an auto fuel pump to pump it all out. I will need some sort of hard pick up tube to be able to direct the pick in the tank.

Or, I should try and separate the fuel line from the intake of the fuel separator, the end that goes into the fuel tank and connect a fuel pump there to get everything out of the tank. Is this a more effective drain and clean method?

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What sort of sender do I get and where can I get it?

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It appears to be the OEM sender that was installed by FMT, Florida Marine Tanks.

For a replacement fuel sender, go to http://www.e-components.net. They are a trusted source for whaler owners.

I use the fuel pickup in the tank, existing fuel line and the primer bulb that is on the boat. I add a longer piece of fuel line to get over the transom and on to the ground. While it is a slow process, it works.

To get the last few gallons at the bottom, I add fresh fuel and use the separator filter.

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I am having the same issue with contaminants my fuel tank. I was not able to remove my sender unit in my 1979 22 foot Revenge because my access port was not directly over the screws which are frozen in place (your picture is greatly appreciated because it tells me that to truly clean up the tank I have to remove the sender/tank filler unit). I replaced my sender by bypassing the original and cutting in a 2 inch hole with a heavy exacto knife next to it.
As far as removing the fuel and debri, getting an electric fuel pump may work but there is an attachment for a compressor which allows siphoning. The tubes are configured that allows a vacuum from one of the tubes and you can work the tip of the tube along the bottom of the tank. I believe I purchased it from Harbor Freight. Worked well with old tractor tanks.
I am currently researching tank cleansing (that jar of fuel in the picture I am sure is in the bottom of my fuel tank). I am out by Bodega Bay and some of the local old timers have three rinsed their tanks with kerosine after tilting the boat to a low spot. Also there is a mobile fuel tank cleaning service which requires a 2 inch opening and a minimum of a half full tank. They recycle the fuel and and leave it back in the tank clean after the filtration. Currently my tank is empty and I have done nothing as of yet. I will keep following the forums and stay in contact.

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Hello,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.
I manged to drain the fuel tank with a 12V auto universal fuel pump and some siphoning.

I ran the fuel through two filters, funnel through coffee filters, added new fuel and repeat the process.

My next step is to run an inline transparent fuel filter so that I can monitor the flow and debris. I will also frequently change the fuel separator 10 micron filter to get the rest of the debris out while I use the boat.

This has been a learning experience and I appreciate all the suggestions.

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picflight
Please keep this posting active. I am interested in results from your 10 micron/fuel separator filter replacements after cleansing your tank this way. After seeing the build up "crap" on your original fuel sender I am keen to know if the same material is on the inside of the tank, which then frees itself into the new fuel, after several uses. I hope the results indicate a clean tank.
gchuba