Hello all, I have a 2005 Marlin, and wondering if at some point in time I should replace my fuel tanks pro-actively as a preventative maintenance effort. If not what about the fuel system outside of the tanks - fuel lines, venting lines etc... Thanks all.
Fuel tanks
- Thread starter skull85
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20 years on lines? Sure, that's acceptable to do as PM.
Tanks? All depends on the conditions and maintenance it's seen. Inspect well and then decide.
Tanks? All depends on the conditions and maintenance it's seen. Inspect well and then decide.
Ekea
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wahoo33417
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I have same concerns with my 2007 Sailfish. Dealer suggested a pressure test on tank while it was in for service. I forget what psi the test brought it up to and for how long, but it seemed pretty high to me. Anyway, it 'passed'. Service manager said that if there were any questionable spots on the tank, the test likely would have created a leak. So they tell me after the test.
So I'm hoping I'm good for another two years there and maybe I can think about a repower - if I can get over what is sure to be sticker shock.
So I'm hoping I'm good for another two years there and maybe I can think about a repower - if I can get over what is sure to be sticker shock.
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Hookup1
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20 years ago GW didn't do the best job insulating the contact points for the tanks. The adhesive on the neoprene strips breaks down, strips move and trap water. Over time this corrodes the bottom of the tank. Even the top of the tank under the mounting blocks. On my 268 Islander the step had to be cut and a bulkhead removed/replaced to get the forward tank out. Hoses are difficult to replace with tanks installed. Tanks are a maintenance item. If you are going to start poking around it's best to just commit and replace it all.
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Took mine out of my 1992 246G explorer. They were holding pressure and not leaking but were pitted so I replaced. All hoses at the same time. Pulled all the wiring too so it will be a new boat with no surprises for at least 20 years now. I hope.
Another cause of corrosion where the mounting strips are located is the case where rubber or not so great neoprene was used. Those materials can contain carbon. As the mounting strips age, they leach carbon. Now you have carbon plus aluminum plus salt water; A battery! The electrolysis eats the aluminum. This is the more common cause of pin hole leaks on the bottom of the tanks where the insulating strips are located.
Has anyone gone to Poly tanks when replacing? Thinking about going 2x 100 gallon poly tanks on my 265. Don’t need 250 gallon capacity it came with. Might be easier to install.
I have not, but would absolutely try and do it if it were me. Much less issues with plastic and more durable. Try Moeller's website and/or contact them to see sizes/shapes - there may be an off the shelf one available in that size.
If you got aluminum tanks that had the same dimensions, that would probably be the easiest to install.
Poly tanks may be lighter but as far as installation goes but depending on the shape, you may need to do bulkhead and/or stringer work to accommodate the tanks. It is also unlikely that fittings will end up in the same locations requiring replacement of all hoses and possibly new wiring for grounds and sender cables.
True, hoses may need to be extended or shortened... same with wiring. But both of those things are easy peasy. And, really, the install is simple, too - plop them in and add some bracing where needed - doesn't matter what kind of bracing... no attention needed to any side of it regarding crevice corrosion... it's really a simple job. And there's annual care/cleaning/etc moving forward. Plastic tanks are pretty much a set it and forget about it thing. I'll definitely be doing it when I have to replace my aluminum tank.