fuel tank 231 wa

[56 sport]

I have a 95' 231 wa.I've been smelling gas ever since i brought it home in nov.Since then I checked all of hoses,fuel lines  and sending unit. Did anbody ever remove a fuel tank on this model boat?

[seabob4]

I have a 95' 231 wa.I've been smelling gas ever since i brought it home in nov.Since then I checked all of hoses,fuel lines  and sending unit. Did anbody ever remove a fuel tank on this model boat?

With no "tank hatch", you're talking major deck surgery, you understand...

[56 sport]

yes i'm aware of the amount of work,but after i pressure test it to confirm the problem,i don't see any other options.Just trying to aquire as much info. I can before cutting. 

[probryans]

How did you preasure test the tank? The reason I ask is maybe you did something that might help someone here help you with your issue. The more info you can give the more we can do to help figure this out. I just don't understand whay they seal these tanks into boat but maybe there is a good reason.

[56 sport]

I didn't do it yet. I have to drain the tank first. 3 to 4 pounds of pressure. It's just that with all the snow,I haven't enough time to do it.

[231CALIFORNIA]

Your dillema is the biggest fear I have for my 231 (138 gal aluminum)
there is no easilly discernable repair path that doesen't cut up the deck and maybe the fish boxes and deck supports if any also.
I have had to do this kind of job in another boat (with a wood floor, carpet covering, Easire to replace) but a bitch of a job without hatch access.

you said you checked all the hoses, did you check the vent hose?
if you did then you may want to do a visual inside before doing pressure.
pressure to a leak will put a ton of fuel into hull that could be a danger durring repair.(saws, sawzall, drills, vaccuums etc)
Drain all fuel from tank , pull sending unit out, visually inspect for corrosion inside
you have to do it anyway. flashlight and boroscope may help.
But if you have the normal pinhole corrosion on the tank bottom or sides then, OH BOY, I really want to know how you go about repair .
There is no perfect tank material but thin  aluminum leaves too much room for danger  and leaks are common.

In my mind You may need to find tank dimmensions, locations to cut, tools to UNFOAM and attachments to pull if stuck.

my prayers are with you.
Good luck
 

[stonepony]

I've got a 1989  231, and was having a strong gasoline odor, especially after fueling.  I found that the vent hose had come loose under the clamshell cover.  Once the through hull (plastic 90*) was refastened, the odor stopped.

[56 sport]

My problem is that I am picking up a small amount of gas at the bilge pumps. I have the trailer in the driveway with the stern pitched (slightly) to drain.I have a bucket under the plug to see what is leaking and I'm 99 percent sure it is not water. I have allready checked ALL the hoses etc. Only thing left is the tank.I hope i'm wrong and missed something ,but process of elimiation is not looking to good.

[probryans]

Switch out the bucket for a clear jar so you can see through the fluid to tell if its water or gas. Maybe add just a tiny bit of 2 stroke oil to the gas to make it a shade darker.

[56 sport]

The amount of is about a 1/8 cup in a two week period.And when i dispose of it ,it's yellow.

[seabob4]

The amount of is about a 1/8 cup in a two week period.And when i dispose of it ,it's yellow.

That sounds like gas...

[56 sport]

I've been e-mailing Faron about it lately,and he is a huge help .If the weather up here coroperates i will drain the tank this weekend.I don't know where to cut the deck around the fish boxes.That is the biggest problem i can see.Not looking forward to getting a saw out .

[brad1951]

Have you removed the inspection hatchs (pies) over the gas tank and checked the fuel fill hose/vent conections on top of the tank. And the sending unit and pick up. Most experts recommend that a pres. test on a used tank is not recommended. Even if you do cut out the floor and remove the tank you will find that reglassing the floor back in and retaining the structural integety of the floor is next to impossable.

[56 sport]

The last couple of posts by me have allready covered all of the above. Without any leakage around any of the open hatches,it's leading me to no alternative too believe it is the tank. Yes the deck will never be the same, but 138 gallons of fuel dripping needs to be addressed.

[seabob4]

You are correct, gas in the bilge is NOT a good thing. 

So take a look at this pic, it's not your boat, but you get the idea...


Most likely, that is the portion you're going to have to cut out...

What you want to do is take your tape measure, and through the fill/vent inspection plate, measure to the fwd edge of the tank.  Mark this.  Now measure on the cockpit sole the same distance.  This is where you have to cut.

Now you might say, "Why can't I just cut up to the livewell/storage tubs and lift the backend and slide it out?"  Well, there is about 1" of room between the tank and the fore and aft bulkheads.  Ain't gonna work...

BTW, to find where you have to cut along the sides, do the same with your tape except to the outboard edges.

So, what do you think?

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