To clean or not to clean (fuel tank)

Bootkie2 · 10-02-2021, 07:05 AM

I've got a gasoline powered bowrider that is 16 years old and it's in the water all season sitting at our dock from May-Oct here on Winni. It's got a 70 gallon tank.

It's running fine currently but being the 3rd owner and not really knowing the full history, is it worth it to have the fuel tank cleaned?

And generally speaking for all of you out there, is tank cleaning part of your routine maintenance, if so how often and who does it for you (Or do you diy)?

DEJ · 10-02-2021, 08:37 AM

Never heard of gas tank cleaning, just draining of old or contaminated fuel. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

TiltonBB · 10-02-2021, 10:01 AM

In over 50 years of owning boats and I have never cleaned a gas tank. Unless you know you have a problem I wouldn't worry about it.

You can take a look at your used fuel filters, even dissect them, and see if they are picking up a lot of contamination. If they look decent I wouldn't worry about it.

I do put some dry gas in during the spring in case winter condensation has caused water droplets to invade the gas tank.

mswlogo · 10-02-2021, 10:17 AM

I’ve had 2 boats since 1986 that stayed on water all summer and never cleaned the tank. For that mater I never changed the fuel filter either

Most tanks have a pickup that does not reach the bottom, with a screen. So even if a little dirt is in there it’s not a problem.

And I’d say the bigger the tank the less likely it could ever be a problem. Largest tank I had was 35 gallon.

Never cleaned tanks in lawn mowers or rotor tillers etc. my rototiller is 30 ish years old and I can see dirt in there for as long as I can remember.

Dave R · 10-04-2021, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

In over 50 years of owning boats and I have never cleaned a gas tank. Unless you know you have a problem I wouldn't worry about it.

You can take a look at your used fuel filters, even dissect them, and see if they are picking up a lot of contamination. If they look decent I wouldn't worry about it.

I do put some dry gas in during the spring in case winter condensation has caused water droplets to invade the gas tank.

Good advice about the fuel filter dissection.

You don't need to bother with the dry gas, your gas is already 10% ethanol which is quite similar to isopropyl alcohol (dry gas) when it comes to water absorption.

thinkxingu · 10-02-2021, 10:18 AM

Wasn't there someone here a few years ago that posted about delamination or some other detritus in his tank that required a replacement or deep cleaning?

Added: here's a discussion about cleaning a tank: https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Bootkie2 · 10-02-2021, 11:03 AM

I agree if it’s not broke don’t fix it. That’s what I was leaning towards but really interesting to get everyone’s point of view. Some good points raised. Thanks.

10-02-2021, 07:05 AM	#1
Bootkie2 Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 34 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	To clean or not to clean (fuel tank) I've got a gasoline powered bowrider that is 16 years old and it's in the water all season sitting at our dock from May-Oct here on Winni. It's got a 70 gallon tank. It's running fine currently but being the 3rd owner and not really knowing the full history, is it worth it to have the fuel tank cleaned? And generally speaking for all of you out there, is tank cleaning part of your routine maintenance, if so how often and who does it for you (Or do you diy)?

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10-02-2021, 08:37 AM	#2
DEJ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 556 Thanks: 528 Thanked 324 Times in 157 Posts	Never heard of gas tank cleaning, just draining of old or contaminated fuel. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

10-02-2021, 10:01 AM	#3
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,063 Thanks: 726 Thanked 2,236 Times in 956 Posts	In over 50 years of owning boats and I have never cleaned a gas tank. Unless you know you have a problem I wouldn't worry about it. You can take a look at your used fuel filters, even dissect them, and see if they are picking up a lot of contamination. If they look decent I wouldn't worry about it. I do put some dry gas in during the spring in case winter condensation has caused water droplets to invade the gas tank.

10-02-2021, 10:17 AM	#4
mswlogo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 660 Thanks: 196 Thanked 224 Times in 143 Posts	I’ve had 2 boats since 1986 that stayed on water all summer and never cleaned the tank. For that mater I never changed the fuel filter either Most tanks have a pickup that does not reach the bottom, with a screen. So even if a little dirt is in there it’s not a problem. And I’d say the bigger the tank the less likely it could ever be a problem. Largest tank I had was 35 gallon. Never cleaned tanks in lawn mowers or rotor tillers etc. my rototiller is 30 ish years old and I can see dirt in there for as long as I can remember.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Dave R For This Useful Post:
BroadHopper (10-06-2021), TiltonBB (10-04-2021)

10-02-2021, 10:18 AM	#6
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,437 Thanks: 1,182 Thanked 2,140 Times in 1,327 Posts	Wasn't there someone here a few years ago that posted about delamination or some other detritus in his tank that required a replacement or deep cleaning? Added: here's a discussion about cleaning a tank: https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

10-02-2021, 11:03 AM	#7
Bootkie2 Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 34 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I agree if it’s not broke don’t fix it. That’s what I was leaning towards but really interesting to get everyone’s point of view. Some good points raised. Thanks.