Portable fuel tank failure

[Dumpcast]

My trustworthy and well-maintained 1994 Merc (two-stroke, 40 hp) ran perfectly on first two outings . . . until it didn't, seemingly starved for fuel. Looking for a simple cause, I focussed on the fuel line off the portable 6-gallon tank: though there appeared to be suction, the ball would not get hard, and no fuel was moving through the line. Replaced the entire fuel line (it was a dozen years old and had been repaired once before), but there was no improvement. Puzzled, I considered the Quicksilver plastic fuel tank itself (also a dozen years old), peered inside, and discovered that the tube that carries fuel from the tank to the coupling had gotten disconnected and was lying on the bottom of the tank. Has anyone ever heard of this happening before? Do these kinds of fuel tanks have a limited life? Do they require special storage or maintenance (I store mine, drained of fuel, in an unheated shed)? Anyway, this was yet anther lesson about the unexpected things that can go wrong on a boat.

[albacized]

My trustworthy and well-maintained 1994 Merc (two-stroke, 40 hp) ran perfectly on first two outings . . . until it didn't, seemingly starved for fuel. Looking for a simple cause, I focussed on the fuel line off the portable 6-gallon tank: though there appeared to be suction, the ball would not get hard, and no fuel was moving through the line. Replaced the entire fuel line (it was a dozen years old and had been repaired once before), but there was no improvement. Puzzled, I considered the Quicksilver plastic fuel tank itself (also a dozen years old), peered inside, and discovered that the tube that carries fuel from the tank to the coupling had gotten disconnected and was lying on the bottom of the tank. Has anyone ever heard of this happening before? Do these kinds of fuel tanks have a limited life? Do they require special storage or maintenance (I store mine, drained of fuel, in an unheated shed)? Anyway, this was yet anther lesson about the unexpected things that can go wrong on a boat.

Did you check that little valve on top of the tank...the one that regulate how much air gets into the mix? I ask because I had that problem before. My was screwed down tight and as the day went along, the tank (which was plastic) began to crumple like a soda can and eventually the motor began stalling repeatedly.

[Dumpcast]

Albacized: Good thought, but the air valve, which was the first thing I checked when the motor choked, was wide open. However, I usually keep those tank valves buttoned tight when boat is not in use. Is that good practice, or can the plastic tank, especially with little fuel in it, compress so much that the tube could be damaged? Still trying to grasp the disconnected tube so that I can inspect it. Since the tank is probably a total loss anyway, I might just cut it open.

[Bob Parsons]

If the tank is empty, perhaps you can tip it upside down and then reach in with a pair of needlenose pliers.