Fuel Tank question

D

drfeno

Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
RO Number
30284
Messages
133
I have a 1981 Silverton 31c, which I restored over the past 6 years or so. Boat runs and works (and Looks)great. I assume it has the original aluminum fuel tanks in it as they are stamped "1981". They look fine from the outside, but I can only see 3 of the six sides. Theres a lot of doom and gloom out there about older aluminum tanks, and I'm assuming these are 36 years old. My question is, is there a way to properly inspect these tanks to see if there are any impending issues?
 
Haven't heard of any. Hear the same doom and gloom that you do. They usually corrode from the inside out.
 
You can get them pressure checked. My (new to me this year) 1984 had both tanks removed and the bottoms cut out and re welded. I don't know what sparked that other than possible leaks (and I know they were having junk in fuel).
 
I would think that a tank that fails a pressure check is already leaking.
 
Thanks,

I don't have any issues I know of, fuel comes out clean, no smell, etc. I just hear people say that aluminum tanks over 15 years old are too old, and mine are 36. I have access to ultrasonic thickness testers from where I work, I may borrow one and see if I can find any thinning or pits. I do wish I could access the bottom side. the tanks sit on a plywood shelf making access to the bottom quite difficult.
 
yeah, they say that until their tanks get to 15, then, it's 20. If you can't sleep at night, you can always pre-emptively change them out. This is probably going to cost you more than the cost to rplace the entire boat!
 
Hey. I just acquired an 83 Riviera. I also have an 83 smokercraft. The smokercraft's aluminum tank is fine. This old tank stuff is new to me. Should I be concerned with the Riviera's tanks?
 
They fail for both inside out and outside in. Inside out because of water sitting in one area but more likely outside in because boat makers often mount the tanks in rubber that tends to stay damp.
 
I replaced both tanks in my '93,37' Silverton C. Only one developed a leak but I figured could the other be far behind ? If I recall; total cost for new tanks & fiberglass repair to cockpit was ~$8K with me removing old tanks & securing new tanks.

BOB J
 
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