In my opinion, aluminum is one of the worst materials for a fuel tank. I have fabricated stainless steel tanks many years ago, even though I told them that I didn't advise it, that they should get a plastic tank. A couple years ago my buddy had me (made me ) repair his aluminum tank against my suggestion, and within the year, it was leaking in an entirely different place. At which point he grudgingly replaced it with a plastic tank. I removed my own steel tank several years ago, that was not leaking, and replaced it with a plastic tank. My unsolicited advice, is that if you have an opportunity to remove an aluminum tank, is to distance yourself as far as possible from it and don't look back. The labor in removing and reinstalling is worth much more than the cost of a new plastic tank.
Bill Coleman C&C 39 Erie PA On Thursday, November 15, 2018 robert via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: Dito here....last Fall removed my 33 year old aluminum tank because of a few pin hole leaks.....had a new bottom welded on. Took approx 14 gals of diesel from the tank into 5 gal container(s)....the last couple of gallons of the diesel looked more like a 'diluted mud'......very brown in color....not exactly sure what the bottom looked like....the machine shop that did the repair pressure washed....they told me that even after the pressure wash, they still wait a few days before doing the actual repair in order to wait and be sure all the fuel vapors are gone so as to not cause an explosion/fire when the welding begins. I wasn't having engine problems with the fuel at that point but from what I observed coming out from the tank, it was only a matter of time. And remember, the fuel pickup line/filter draws from the bottom of the tank. Rob Abbott AZURA C&C 32- #277 Halifax, N.S. Chapter two, This year my 29 year old OEM aluminum fuel tank developed pin holes and red liquid leaked onto my freshly painted bilge. I bought a new 30 gallon plastic tank and new fuel lines and will install those over the coming winter. This will give the boat enough range to run from Cape May to Block Island and should be good for another 30 plus years. _______________________________________________ Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
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