Draining fuel tank

[troy]

Been advised to drain under floor tank.
Mechanic told me to undo main line from filter and put a smaller hose in the main line and syphon through the bungs.
Problem is how to stop petrol from leaking out of the join when you put the small hose into the main line.
If i used tape around join would it interfere with the syphoning.
Thanks
Troy

[catchy_fishy]

can you reach it easily ? Yoiu get some garden hose (irrigation) fittings that step down pipe sizes - you may find one that will fit your existing fuel line, and the smaller line for syphoning.

Having said that try test the tape theory by syphoning water from a bucket with a larger and smaller pipe, using the tape - I should think it won't prevent you syphoning, but you might lose some suction, and slow it down

Catchy Fishy

[catchy_fishy]

Also once the smaller pipe is in, you could use a jubille clip / hose clamp to tighten it to so you don't get air in.

Don't tighten so tight though that you pinch the hose closed

[frankj]

Troy

If you go to a specialist hose fittings place they have brass reducers with the tail fittings I went from 6mm to 10mm when I fitted my Navman transducer in the fuel line. They had other sizes as well.


Not sure where you are located.

I got mine at

Flexible Hose Supplies Pty Ltd
20 Ereton Drv Labrador QLD 4215
ph: (07) 5537 2745 Hoses & Fittings--Supplies & Service

Cheers
Frank

[troy]

Franjk i am in Nth QLD the reducing fittings you mentioned seem to be the way.
I Would say the main line would be a inch in diameter and the sypthoning hose half inch.
Troy

[frankj]

Troy,

The pipe size is the bore measurement not the OD.

Try this company
Tony Powell Hose & Fittings Pty Ltd
Specialist In Hose Assemblies Brisbane, Townsville, Mackay
238 Robinson Rd Geebung QLD 4034
ph: (07) 3265 1144 Hoses & Fittings--Supplies & Service

Frank

[Dignity]

Franjk i am in Nth QLD #the reducing fittings you mentioned seem to be the way.
I Would say the main line would be a inch in diameter and the sypthoning hose half inch.
Troy

Troy, if it is 19mm (I know it short of an inch but thought it might be the size you had) to 12 mm try the gardening dept or a pum n pipe specialist they have plastic reducers for the poly pipe used in sprinkler systems - might even have larger sizes. Don't use tape as the fuel will just melt the adhesive and you will end up with petrol all over the place. Just for curiosity sake - why do you have to drain the fuel tank

sam

[troy]

Sam not my boat but a mate of mine bought one the same as mine and due to illness has never used it since he took delievery of it and the fuel would be over 4 months old.
Troy

[predator]

[smiley=bulb2.gif]

You could try some compressed air into the breather hose and pump it out the outlet(with the fittings off), if you cant syphon. Just dont pressurize the tank too much...

:)

[The_Walrus]

Why not simply syphon the fuel out via the filler tube.

It should be large enough or you to insert a lenght of hose (preferably fuel resistant) unless there are bends or other restrictions that would prevent the syphon hose from reaching to the bottom of the fuel tank.

Luc

[Dignity]

Sam not my boat but a mate of mine bought one the same as mine and due to illness has never used it since he took delievery of it and the fuel would be over 4 months old.
Troy

Troy, I have a 200 litre tank and I keep topping it up - have watched some posts with interest re fuel going off - guess I am mixing new fuel with old - at what stage should I consider draining it all and replacing it - if ever - water is not an issue as I have a separator yet in the last 4 months since I replaced the filter I have not seen any ecidence of water - is there any ewasy way to check the octane rating of a tank of fuel, seems with the concerns out there somebody could make a good business selling a cheap product for this very thing

sam

[troy]

Sam i ended up draining the fuel out for him but i am also confused about this stale fuel issue.
Nearly everyone i talk to up here will say they never worry about how old the fuel is and if they have not used there boats for months they just put in some more fresh fuel.
Troy.
PS What is the best product to put on your battery terminals to stop corrosion.

[wacco_fozzy]

Vaseline

[Dignity]

PS What is the best product to put on your battery terminals to stop corrosion.

Troy, I know an electrical linesman and he gave me a tube of electrical jointing compound - best thing I have ever put on as it is conductive which helps a lot

sam

[ahoj]

You will never syphon all petrol out of the tan.k Remove the tank and wash clean to remove any flakes a job well done will assure you of better performance and safety.....
Ahoj

[finga64]

PS What is the best product to put on your battery terminals to stop corrosion.

Troy, I know an electrical linesman and he gave me a tube of electrical jointing compound - best thing I have ever put on as it is conductive which helps a lot

sam
Was that the yellow stuff or the black/dark grey stuff??

[Boz]

read my post on "old fuel"
emailed a couple of fuel company's on their advice about fuel storage etc.
May be quite interesting!!

[Angla]

How stale does it get?

I've got the Mercury Optimax 135HP and it recommends 87 octane in the owners manual. That means that if you have stale fuel, I can take it. Just put it in a jerry for me and I will pick it up if you aren't too far away.
Sometimes my boat sits for 4 weeks then I use it 4 times in 2 weeks. It seems to run just fine.
I rarely let it go out without a full 160 litres and only really use between 20 and 100 litres per trip.
My thoughts are that stale fuel is a bit over rated, or under rated as the case may be.
Is it 4 stroke owners that worry the most or do 2 stroke owners worry too?

What motor is on the boat Troy?

Angla

[troy]

Angla my motor is a 175 hpdi yammy.
Troy

[ahoj]

What happend to petrol in cars? I am incline to believe ANGLA ---20 year old cars tank has never been emptied even condensation is taken care of all motors will have a mix of water in it and run-provided there is no water running into a petrol tank from another source...... regular filter clean will fix most problems.... when you let petol sit in an enclosed tank-- why would octanes evaporate? and where??
I feel someone is having someone on.

Ahoj

[Dignity]

finga - the black/grey stuff, tried vaseline, and heaps of other products but this has lasted the best - don't knoe the name as it has faded away to a stage that I can't read it - if I find out I will let you know


sam

[Grand_Marlin]

Ahoj,
The octanes fall out of the petrol mix.... I have a whole bag of them in the shed from the last tank I cleaned out... ::)

[ahoj]

Marlin???? lol ------isn't it strange how a rainy and rough weather affects fisherman...........

[Grand_Marlin]

Ahhh Ahoj... that is soooo true.... ;D