Bad gas tank

Dogfish Dano · Post by **Dogfish Dano** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:02 am

My 33 FBC "Dirty Bert" has been bitten by the ethanol bug and my tank is melting. Was is the best solution?

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:42 am

Dan, What year is the boat? How much ethanol did you run through it? Gallons? Years? etc... There are a few different options you can take, but most of the guys that have replaced their tank went with either stainless or aluminum. If I had to replace the tank I would try like hell to go with stainless. If you use the search functions you'' find a number of different threads onl the topic.

Dogfish Dano · Post by **Dogfish Dano** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:50 pm

quote:Originally posted by dougl33 Dan, What year is the boat? How much ethanol did you run through it? Gallons? Years? etc... There are a few different options you can take, but most of the guys that have replaced their tank went with either stainless or aluminum. If I had to replace the tank I would try like hell to go with stainless. If you use the search functions you'' find a number of different threads onl the topic. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Cummins 6BTA's Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Dogfish Dano · Post by **Dogfish Dano** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:56 pm

Doug, Thanks for the reply. It a 1977 FBC with repowered 1995 Merc-Horizon fuel injection 454's I pulled a tank full out not knowing what was going on, then added fresh fuel and ran that through. thinking i had it solved I took a trip and put 200 gallons thru until it stopped running. I don't think the engines are hurt, just the tank seemingly melting away. Why do you prefer stainless over aluminum? Dogfish Dano

otf · Post by **otf** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:22 pm

Pull it out and replace it. The older Berts are a little harder to do, but still no big deal. It stopped running? I woudl tend to think there might be some engine issues

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:30 pm

Dan, Welcome Aboard. Your 77 should be a similar set up to my 78 FBC. Take a look at this thread. Al http://www.bertram33.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=885

Post by **dougl33** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 4:35 am

Dan, What makes you think the tank is melting away?

rnanaples · Post by **rnanaples** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:32 am

do not believe the tank myth

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:09 pm

It is not a myth dude I have seen too many bent intake valves. If you are luck that is all you bend.

kwinters · Post by **kwinters** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 2:38 pm

Run about a gallon of Marvel Mystery oil thru each engine down the carb with the engine running once you straighten out your fuel issue. It will help free up all the trash. Also, change the oil in both and put a quart of marvel in with the change. Then replace the plugs and if you have not bent anything yet you should be good with fresh fuel.

jdrc · Post by **jdrc** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:17 pm

My tank in my 74 B28 melted. I only had ethanol fuel in it for a month or so. Also stuck some valves and bent push rods. I would recommend running some kind of engine decarbonizer , such as Mercury Power Tune, through the engine. It will help clean the crap off of the valves.

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:31 pm

That's what so weird Jeff. I ran ethanol for one season (2006), about 1500 gallons. I had no issues. I re-powered with 6BTA's in 2007. Frank Price ran ethanol for 2006 and 2007 (not sure how many gallons) and he had no issues. He re-powered with 6BTA's in 2008.