'95 Mako fuel tank problems - need help

[@danielpeck6269]

The ground wire is to prevent static charge from building up while the fuel flows into the tank when filling it. Use a smoke machine to pressurize your fuel system, and watch for smoke indicating the leak. Research smoke machines for diagnosing evaporative emissions.

[@rosariodenaro6976]

I have a Mako 192, from year around 2000, and I have restored it, ALL. I have removed the fuel tank, it was corroded in many side, but only external. I write for say you my results. I HAVE REPARED THE FUEL TANK IN INOX WITH TIN metal . To solder with the tin ( in the inox normal don't bind !!! ) I have used a solution with hydrochloric acid with inside same pieces of zinc (or iron zincated that i have removed after the acid have dissolved the zinc). The tin have solder in optimate modus, covering also the surrounding zone.

[@dantespeakdigital]

I have 94 Mako 241. Need to make sure you have rubber gasket on the fuel sender (which appears to not be working in your video) and that the screws are torqued down properly. Mine were not and I had water in the fuel. I changed out the sender (make sure you get 240-33 ohm!) and the problem went away. These boats are built tough as nails and it's unlikely the tank or even the hoses are failing. Hope it helps.

[@SurvivorDiet]

Thank you for your reply. I changed the fuel sender and the gaskets. The fuel gauge works again!! I have been incrementally draining the gas tank 6 gallons at a time using an external tank and connecting that to my engine. I have also been double filtering it as I siphon it out. My plan is to empty the tank completely (or as much as I physically can) so that I remove as much water as possible. When it's almost empty - I'm not sure how to remove the very last bit once drained - I think I'll be able to fill er up and be back to normal. I agree with you - I think I had a leak from the sender (that I changed a couple seasons ago) and this caused the whole problem. Hopefully there is no leak or corrosion in the tank itself.

[@dantespeakdigital]

@@SurvivorDiet Fantastic! May I ask which model your boat is and if you have an auxiliary fuel tank also? My 241 has an auxiliary fuel tank what I estimate to be about 200 liters (50 gallons) but would like to find out for sure. There are two separate fills on the port gunwale. Glad to hear your issue is sorted. Just run that tank as low as you can and top up with good fuel. Keep an eye on your prefilter inside the engine cowling. Do you also use Parker Racor primary filters? I highly recommend them. Cheers! Jon

[@phyllistinker8618]

@@SurvivorDiet To get the last bit of water out....buy an electric fuel pump, attach the hoses to it. Jack the front of the trailer as high as you can. Put the suction end of the hose in the tank, and vacuum the bottom of the tank. Put the discharge hose into a clear container {so you can see the water that you have removed}. I also suggest adding a bottle of Heet . It is an alcohol based product that should take care of a minimum amount of water that may be left in the tank. Hope this helps-

[@gnatjarman6090]

I know what you're going through, unsnap your plugs in center console and wire connectors, unhook your steering then unbolt set-top, then center console. Tilt the center console to one side and take panels off to expose fuel tank. Remove fuel tank and run water into scuppers till you leak, repair and replace fuel tank.

[@garycotz563]

at 8:36 that second (right one) square feed tube should be capped off, it looks like it is wide open at the 8 o-clock position. Also, I'd clean all that off the around and under the sender and replace that O-shaped gasket, cleaning it with solvents down to the bare metal, then put the new gasket on. Careful not to cross thread those screws!!! So... did you figure out what the issue was?

[@jessefriel4815]

Was the deck plate that you access the tank from under the console the lowest part of your deck? I have the same boat and same issue. Water pools right at that hatch above the sender

[@GuyFraker]

How did you get the filler hose out, and get the new on in?

[@fussybugger]

I am pretty sure water is coming in from your breather. where it goes through the hull, normally there is a vertical "P" trap to stop water from hitting the external vent and coming in, and currently you have nothing stopping water from draining straight to your fuel tank.

[@joejuska5055]

I had same smell of gas. Turns out I had corrosion pin holes on top of tank. You need to PULL the tank and evaluate. Or replace .

[@richardtownsend13]

You might want to change stations where you are fueling up. Also change to ethanol free fuel. Fuel with ethanol attracts moisture from the air.

[@brianwright874]

I see the problem. Your old pick up tube has been replaced. I do not see a plug in the old one. That would explain the odor and the water leak. I have not seen the end of the video yet.

[@blakenitta8849]

that's one filthy boat

[@globaltraders1338]

If rainwater ever gets around the fuel tank is there and way for it to escape or does it just sit in there around the fiberglass?

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

For Sale: 95 Mako.

[@matthurst4678]

Having the same issue

[@dpetersontube]

I ended up draining my inboard tank and using an external tank. The fix was just too extensive for an old boat but my solution works very well for my situation

[@cazadoresdeoxidosandblasti4731]

wd40