How to Remove Sediment From a Boat Fuel Tank

Regardless of where you buy your fuel, fuel sediments will accumulate on the bottom of your tank until the water gets "bumpy." Rough conditions will stir this sludge up into the fuel and it will find its way to your primary fuel filter. If that happens, the best that can happen is that your motor will die when you're not making some critical maneuver. Keeping your fuel tank free of this sludge is an ongoing process that should be attended to during fitting out at the beginning of the boating seating and more often, if possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic fuel siphoning pump
  • Clean rags
  • Fuel stabilizer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Siphon any fuel in your tank to another tank. Do this with a plastic fuel siphoning pump you can find in automotive supply stores. If you drained your fuel tank as part of the winterization process, your tank should be empty.

    • 2

      Open the drain valve or the inspection port of your fuel tank. If you have an inspection port large enough to get your hand and arm into, wipe the inside of the tank with clean rags.

    • 3

      Allow your tank to sit with the inspection port and filler open for at least 24 hours. Close the inspection port and fill the tank with fuel. Add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel.