Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

WWHD

Posted By: Harv
Date: Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 2:02 p.m.

What Will Harv Do?

After my conversation with Tom Martin, I have decided that my course of action will be as follows.

1. Drain gas tank.

2. Let tank sit to dry for several days and do a visual internal inspection.
a... Looking for blisterlike pinholes with a saplike ooze or streaks coming from the holes.
b... Checking for an unusual, undescribable foul smell coming from the tank.
c... If tank appears ok, then proceeding to step 3.
d... If tank appears damaged, pulling tank & proceeding to step 3.

3. Check fuel filters.

4. Check spark plugs for any residue.

5. Try to turn engines by hand to see if they haven't siezed.

6. If engines don't turn by hand I will proceed to pull the carbs and valve covers to check for residue there, and if found will take apart to have cleaned and reinstalled.

7. If engines turn but the tank is bad, I will follow the same process as above in step 6.

8. If engines turn by hand and tank, filters, and engine parts are clean, I will use the boat as is for this season and keep a close eye on everything. In addition I will use some sort of fuel conditioner/stabilizer.

In conclusion, best case scenario, I will continue to use the boat as is for this season. Store her with empty tank next winter and repeat the processes again. Worst case sceanrio, I will fix what needs fixing and pull my tank and send it to Tom Martin....providing he gets the needed approval from the Coast Guard. Even if this is a temporary fix, it is the least expensive course of action. Next year, after reurning to work and restoring my finances, I will consider the option of a new larger fiberglass tank. If unfortunately Tom does not get approval, I will replace the tank asap. One theory worth considering....Tom mentioned that we all may or may not develope a problem with the tanks. His claim is that if for argument's sake, that 500 gallons of resin used to make our tanks are being affected than only those tanks made with that batch of resin could be affected. Some of us may never develope a problem.....just his thoughts.

Anyway, now you have the answer to WWHD.

Harv

Messages In This Thread

WWHD
Harv -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 2:02 p.m.

Re: WWHD
Russ Pagels,NC -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 4:38 p.m.

Re: WWHD
Capt Dick Dean -- Friday, 17 March 2006, at 8:50 a.m.

Re: WWHD
randall -- Friday, 17 March 2006, at 9:16 a.m.

Re: WWHD
John F. -- Friday, 17 March 2006, at 9:21 a.m.

Re: WWHD
Harv -- Friday, 17 March 2006, at 11:46 a.m.

Re: WWHD
randall -- Friday, 17 March 2006, at 12:29 p.m.

Re: WWHD
Harv -- Friday, 17 March 2006, at 12:32 p.m.