How to Clean an Aluminum Boat Gas Tank

Boating is considered rewarding for health by many experts. When you’re in your garden and lush-green ground, you’re close to nature. Similarly, when you embark on a water journey, you’re going to see another part of nature that is often undermined by people. If you’re boating enthusiasts, you might already be aware of the importance of having good quality boat gas tanks. Besides that, it is also important to keep those tanks in good condition by regular inspections and cleaning.

Whether you’re using EPA standards marine gas tanks or diesel-holding aluminum tanks, cleaning is a crucial part of routine maintenance, especially when the vessel has been on halt for an extended period of time such as during winter or off-season. Tanks require as good care as the boat hull so they shouldn’t be ignored by the owner. A dirty fuel tank can trouble the engine even if it has the best filter installed.

Boat fuel tank cleaning

It is important to understand what actually happens to fuel when it is inside an air-tight tank, before you proceed to clean it. When it is inside, it chemically disbands into two elements additives and fuel particles. When the fuel is still, the additives sit at the bottom of the tank and after some time create a thick sludge. Condensation is another factor that leads to moisture and subsequently a brittle layer of rust.

This is what requires cleaning when you are flushing out your boat gas tanks. There are multiple guides available on the web shedding on how you can clean out the tank without any risk. There are also professional services available that provide cleaning service at affordable prices. While cleaning the tank, make sure you do it in a well-ventilated area to avoid any sparks and reduce any fire risk. You will need an air compressor, a hoze with nozzle, and a container for the bad fuel and debris.

Drain the tank

Before beginning to drain the tank, check all vent plugs and make sure they are capped. Disconnect fuel line from water filter. Then use air compressor and nozzle to extract any remaining fuel from the tank. It should be a slow and steady process. If you notice air leaking from the tank, seal it with a damp cloth. Because EPA standards marine gas tanks are made up in compliance with all standard measures and regulations, they rarely cause any hazardous incidents. It is better to consult a professional in this regard to ensure safety.

Vacuum and refill the tank

Using a dry vacuum you can siphon out the rest of the loose debris entrapped inside the tank walls and baffles. Once you have drained all the fuel and cleaned debris, leave the tank to dry. Then you can add an evaporator product along with fresh fuel in boat gas tanks to try a test run.