Apply more epoxy to the patch and surrounding area, pressing firmly to saturate the patch. Sjnce thanks to your team for posting the article. Addressing the problem, Fond du Lac-based Mercury Marine Inc. Plastic outboard gas tank problems pictures. partnered with Attwood Corp., in Lowell, Mich., to develop a fuel-line valve that prevents gas from reaching an outboard engine when the fuel isn't needed. Clear Site Fuel Filters FAQ's. I've never had a plastic seam on a decent product fracture unless it was dried out from sun damage, which won't be the case in the below deck fuel tanks. A primer may be required before painting. Do not use with brake fluid or any flammable liquids.
Low Permeation Hoses. Then use 600 grit wet or dry sandpaper to remove 320 grit scratches. He has inspected hundreds of ethanol-rated E10 fiberglass tanks, some as old as 35 years, and never found a fuel related fault (about 85 percent of in-ground gasoline tanks at service stations are fiberglass). Moreover, it can also be very dangerous to ride the boat without attending to these problems. Open to any suggestions you all my have, this is my first Pathfinder and this happened on around the 5th trip so hoping for the best and a speedy recovery back to the water. The portable tank can handle up to 15 psi. Plastic gas tank venting; Expansion and Contraction. Permeation is a problem for diesel also. Please follow the instruction sheet closely that is enclosed with the product. My closing comment comes from an old salt who runs an outboard engine repair shop on the north shore of Long Island, NY.
Apply 3-4 coats waiting 5-10 minutes in between coats. If I could afford a 45 CC, I wouldn't be repairing an outboard fuel tank. Now comes the difficult, and potentially dangerous, part. Look for the flow direction arrow each time you install a fuel tank hose.
Apply as many medium coats needed to cover the area. As is usually the case in boating, a little knowledge and preparation goes a long way if and when something stops working. Key Point: Cross linked polyethylene has unique properties which make it an ideal material for fuel tanks. This ends up blocking filters. Moeller does offer many fuel tanks on our website for those looking for replacements. One reason for this is that plastic is susceptible to UV damage from the sun. Thus, the fuel sender unit might not work at all and stop the fuel flow immediately. Next, mix the epoxy glue, apply it over the opening, and press a fiberglass patch over the epoxy. It's far better to change the whole primer bulb mechanism. Plastic outboard gas tank problems jeep. Twenty to thirty years of sun exposure can do a number on plastic, but this is easily avoided by either covering or painting the tank. Any cost savings obtained by using E10 fuel can be paid out many times over in engine repairs. The fuel primer bulb doesn't have as long a life as other parts of your fuel system. Moeller does not offer this type of adaptor.
· Check the fuel lines, priming bulbs and connections for cracks, leaks or kinks. The one problem Star Brite will not resolve, however, is the deterioration of older fiberglass tanks. This article has been viewed 428, 376 times. Will my gauge work with your sending unit? Find a Fuel Problem on a Boat. On the flip side, my push pull platform has fractured at 2 of the 4 deck braces around the welds. The wire chase coming from below deck simply will not keep the fumes out, so adding a quality vapor barrier should be considered. Many boaters have seen swelling of their new portable fuel tanks, which they hadn't experienced with older fuel containers, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, a Chicago-based trade group. But lets not equate mass production with lesser quality. 2Mix the 2 part epoxy together and apply all around the perimeter of the opening.
There may be more than one leak. Keep the tank almost full of fuel to reduce the amount of condensation but don't fill it more than 95% to allow for expansion. Frequently Asked Questions - Moeller Marine. Monel is pricey but pointless to argue against if well-made. Like most US companies throughout the marine, automotive, and aviation industries, Moeller now offers a non-chromate alternative as an engine primer. Frye has seen tanks collapse or burst because the vent was blocked, forgotten, or plugged.
How do I purchase directly from Moeller? 5] X Research source. Laboratory report indicates ethanol dissolves uncured phthalates in the fiberglass. Outboard engine gas tank. Moeller offers a 5 hole SAE pattern (SAE J1810). Hoses can come apart from their connectors under pressure. Starbrite Startron- Special enzymes stabilize fuel chemistry, preventing the formation of gums, resins, varnish and sludge. Do Moeller fuel tanks come with a sending unit and pick up assembly already installed?
And after a while I push it and there isn't any more pressure. Are Moeller sending units compatible with diesel? Perhaps it's more noticeable on smaller boats, or lighter boats, but this 24'6" hull weighing in at 3600 dry isn't phased, so anything larger I can only assume would not be either. 4Allow the weld to set up, sand it smooth and, if desired, paint it with plastic spray paint. This collapse can hinder the flow of fuel to the engine. Seamless gas tanks seldom leak and are impervious to the rust and corrosion that affect metal tanks. Valves and hoses can leak.
2″ diameter hole for the fuel gauge and 1 1/2″ hole for the sending unit. I installed this 102 gallon Moeller fuel tank in 2011 as part of a full rebuild on this boat, which can be seen here Aquasport Boat Rebuild by Florida Inshore It is now April 2018 and the tank is doing as designed. Unfortunately, if air has entered the line after sitting a while, the engine may start but will stall within a minute or two. Before automatic pressure relief. A properly mounted aluminum will have good airflow around all surface areas, thus allowing it to dry. He tried to tighten every hose clamp. That's also a problem, but won't produce the symptoms we had of an engine losing RPMs and dying. Fuel breaks down chemically, resulting in the separation of additives and fuel components. 3) Limited selection due to most plastic tanks being roto spun in a mold, which makes custom plastic tanks expensive. A blocked fuel tank vent or snag in the fuel line on larger boats with under-deck fuel tanks could be the cause. Boaties often don't know there is a problem until after they start the engine and are out on the water because the boat is burning the fresh fuel on top. We'd already ruled out a crack in the pickup tube in the tank.
Modern resins are rated for up to E 25 (25 percent ethanol). Without baffles, openings at the end are vulnerable to liquid slapping up. Is there an epoxy or adhesive that Moeller recommends that will adhere to the fuel tanks? No sealant is required. 4Allow to dry, sand the patched area smooth and spray paint with a plastic paint if desired. He's seen tanks leak, or worse become explosive risks, as gas vapor becomes pressurized under a hot sun. Frye actually watched a fire like this happen on a truck. Personally, I often smell a light odor when the boat is being stored for long periods, so when I do smell fuel on a boat I suspect it's coming from another source. The new tanks, introduced in 2012 as the result of an Environmental Protection Agency rule change, were tested to remain sealed and safe even when swelling is visible.