Should I drain Fuel tank?

[Vanda]

Hey Randy
Im thinking It may be best to drain the fuel out of my bird (as it has been sitting since 2006 or longer) the fuel looks cloudy . I already changed the filters and added 25 gallon, it has 80 gallons now. Or at least drain some out of the bottom , Ive read a few posts about doing that. My question is will the water be on top of the fuel ? or if I do decide to drain it maybe I should siphion as much as i can first , then open the plug ?
(also unrelated what is the diference in a reply to post and quick reply to post?)
Thx very much!!

[Rob Robinson]

Tom diesel floats on water like in oil spills. If you have water it will be on the bottom of your tank. I've drained a little diesel out of the bottom into a pail and it was easy to see the water. I never had much but enough that it was noticeable.

[Randy Dupree]

Tom,why don't you star a new thread?
You will get more hits if its your own thread.

[Vanda]

will do thx

[Vanda]

thx Rob

[Vanda]

Hey Guys,
Im thinking It may be best to drain the fuel out of my bird (as it has been sitting since 2006 or longer) the fuel looks cloudy . I already changed the filters and added 25 gallon, it has 80-90 gallons now; 60 old-25 new.
Or at least drain some out of the bottom , Ive read a few posts about doing that.
If I do decide to drain it maybe I should siphion as much as i can first , then open the plug ?
Its been drivin 100 miles , blew smoke for a while but now only on start up.
The filters had some alge. Will most of the alge be settled on the bottom or on the dry top half of the tank? if this is the case then it could will wash off and be in the fuel when I fill it up...?
Is the tank aluminum -1980 FC?
Alternativley I guess I could put in more new fuel (and addative ? ) and buy more filters ? But draining it seems more logical.
* Also, The cat guy at johnson who changed the transmission fluid(looked good an no metal in pan) an filter for me said the the air lines for the brake cans were dry rot an should be changed as were the air bags, he also said the brakes had meat but would check the slack adjusters.. but maybe this should be another thread..*

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thx very much!!

[iamflagman]

Originally Posted by Vanda

Hey Guys,
Im thinking It may be best to drain the fuel out of my bird (as it has been sitting since 2006 or longer) the fuel looks cloudy . I already changed the filters and added 25 gallon, it has 80-90 gallons now; 60 old-25 new.
Or at least drain some out of the bottom , Ive read a few posts about doing that.
If I do decide to drain it maybe I should siphion as much as i can first , then open the plug ?
Its been drivin 100 miles , blew smoke for a while but now only on start up.
The filters had some alge. Will most of the alge be settled on the bottom or on the dry top half of the tank? if this is the case then it could will wash off and be in the fuel when I fill it up...?
Is the tank aluminum -1980 FC?
Alternativley I guess I could put in more new fuel (and addative ? ) and buy more filters ? But draining it seems more logical.
* Also, The cat guy at johnson who changed the transmission fluid(looked good an no metal in pan) an filter for me said the the air lines for the brake cans were dry rot an should be changed as were the air bags, he also said the brakes had meat but would check the slack adjusters.. but maybe this should be another thread..*

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thx very much!!

It is a good idea to start a new thread on each topic.

[JD33]

Tom, drain off a few gallons and see what you get. Possible that there is water in the bottom of the tank, and that the algae was mostly in the old filters.
Fairly sure that your fuel tank will be steel
Have those rubber air lines changed, they are cheap. slacks can be taken off, cleaned and greased.
Consider having the air bags changed too

[Lyn Sutton]

Originally Posted by Vanda

Hey Randy
Im thinking It may be best to drain the fuel out of my bird (as it has been sitting since 2006 or longer) the fuel looks cloudy . I already changed the filters and added 25 gallon, it has 80 gallons now. Or at least drain some out of the bottom , Ive read a few posts about doing that. My question is will the water be on top of the fuel ? or if I do decide to drain it maybe I should siphion as much as i can first , then open the plug ?
(also unrelated what is the diference in a reply to post and quick reply to post?)
Thx very much!!

Since you are in a boating center, it might be worth a call to a mobile marine fuel service and get them to quote a price for cleaning/scrubbing your fuel. They perform this service for boaters who let their vessels sit idle for long periods of time and to remove water accumulations.

[Mustang88]

Tom, suggest you change the brake pots (chambers) as well, the rubber seals are probably shot just like the lines. They are not very expensive ($75 or less each) plus labour but then you should not have to worry about the brakes for the most part!

There is quite a bit of info wrt the brake system in different threads - good reading if you have not already gone over them!