Clean Fuel Tank

The gasket has seen better days, but still does its job.

1/21/13: Completed all tasks except gasket replacement.

1. Tools required:
   1. Fuel pump (manual or electric).
   2. Screw driver (electric saves a ton of time).
   3. 3.5 gpm fuel filtering funnel (or 5 gpm).
   4. Eight 5 gallon jerry cans (40 gal).
   5. Oil absorbing towels ($1.50 each at Home Depot).
   6. Shop rags to clean sludge.
   7. Replacement gaskets.
   8. 5 gal bucket (or 2).
2. Access the tank.
   1. Remove the table and set aside.
   2. Remove cushions and stored items from the port side of the table.
   3. Unscrew and remove the hinged cabinets.
   4. Remove the trim facing the table and unscrew and remove the plywood section covering the fuel tank.
      

      Before removing the cupboards and access panel.

      

      Full access.
3. Drain the fuel and scrub the tank.
   1. Close the fuel valve to ease the bleeding process later.
   2. Open all three access ports (one above each baffle).
   3. Use the hand fuel pump or the electric fuel pump located next to the aft side of the tank to pump the fuel into 5 gallon jerry cans. Have plenty of soaking towels or oil absorbent material available.
   4. When it becomes impossible to suck any more fuel out of the tank, use oil absorbing towels to soak up the rest of the fuel.
   5. Scrub the tank with shop rags and throw them into a bucket.
      

      Aft access port before cleaning.

      

      After cleaning. Note the float gauge.

      

      Algae growth caused a clogged fuel injector.

      

      Baffles separate each of the 3 access ports.
4. Strain the fuel back into the tank.
   1. While straining the fuel into the tank, add Biobor MD as instructed on the bottle.
   2. Replace baffle-access gaskets.
   3. Close all baffle covers.
   4. Open fuel valve.
5. Start engine
   1. If engine does not start, bleed the engine per the manual.