Gas Tank Moved!!! Help!

CarlaDee · #1 07-25-2007, 12:24 AM

My gas tank has slid back about 2 inches. It is an aftermarket 97 gallon tank that appears to have been foamed in. Any ideas on how to move it back? How about keeping it there???

I believe that it may have moved when both of my bilge pumps failed (both independently wired) and I had a lot of water in the bilge. My one idea is to use as much fuel as possible and then fill the bilge. Any others would be much appreciated.

Daniel

78 23' Sceptre

dsargent · #2 07-25-2007, 01:27 AM

Daniel - is this aftermarket tank poly or aluminum? Many of the aluminum tanks have screw flanges on them, and that would mean that the fasteners let go or fell out. If it is poly, you definitely want to lighten up on fuel regardless. What type of access is behind the tank in the sceptre? I own a 20CC and the tank is a bitch to get to. You may want to tug on the fill pipe or grounding wire to try to drag the tank back forward but you also need to get access to refill the aft end with foam and/or a bulkhead of some sort to prevent future migration.
You can also contemplate putting in a deck plate to get at the aft end of the tank if there is no other access but do cut carefully

LoveMySeacraft · #3 07-25-2007, 09:20 AM

If its foamed in place, as you said, and has moved...Then use up as much of the fuel as possible, or pump it out, move it back into position & then foam the rear, and any other void spots. I would'nt try to float it back in place with water. Using 2-part(A/B) foam will displace any existing water areas & then that tank shouldn't budge any more. Most commonly used foam is what they call "2-pound" foam. Thats because its less money. But I prefer using the more expensive "4-pound" foam, because its much denser & stronger. The tank ain't going nowhere with 4-pound.

CarlaDee · #4 07-25-2007, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the ideas. The tank is aluminum...

joema · #5 07-25-2007, 04:53 PM

Just put a96 in my scepter no foam it traps water .GET tank lite use 2by4 aginst splash welllever it moves easy

BigLew · #6 07-25-2007, 05:33 PM

Your tank problem may cause you to read and think about the article at this web site.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm